The Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) underscored its commitment to forge a more engaging and stronger partnership with the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) to enhance maritime safety, marine environmental protection, and regulatory efficiency.
Marina Administrator Sonia Malaluan emphasized the importance of robust collaboration to key agencies when she paid a courtesy visit on PCG Commandant, Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan on Thursday, Dec. 28.
"Our commitment is to maintain open lines of communication and work hand in hand with PCG to ensure the safety of passengers and vessels," Malaluan said.
Relatedly, the Marina chief announced the nationwide roll-out of the agency's digitalization initiative aimed at providing PCG district offices access to a comprehensive database of vessels with expired and active certificates.
The system will play a "pivotal role" in preventing vessels with expired Certificates of Public Convenience (CPCs) from setting sail," she said.
"The digitalization effort, slated for launch next year, will streamline certificate processes for shipping companies, ensuring a corruption-resistant environment by minimizing human intervention," Malaluan explained.
A nationwide orientation and user training intended for its stakeholders, including the PCG, are scheduled starting February next year.
During their meeting, Malaluan and Gavan also pledged to conduct regular dialogues, along with a nationwide reorientation for PCG personnel regarding Marina policies, rules, regulations and standards.
Malaluan also outlined her three priorities for 2024 namely digitalization, safety of operations, and marine environment protection, all of which received full support from the PCG.
Meanwhile, Gavan reciprocated Malaluan's desire for stronger cooperation as he advocated for a closer staff-to-staff engagement between the two agencies.
"There is no hierarchy. We encourage both agencies to progress in fulfilling their mandates," he said.