Congress approves bills creating Marina extension offices
THE Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) is looking into constructing new extension offices in three provinces in Luzon after the House Committee on Transportation approved bills filed by Marino Party-list Rep. Sandro Gonzales.
House Bills 732, 733 and 734, filed by Gonzales, were approved during the public hearing of the House panel chaired by Antipolo City Second District Rep. Romeo Acop on Wednesday, November 9.
Gonzales sought to establish Marina regional offices in Ilagan City, Isabela in Region 2 (Cagayan Valley); Balanga City, Bataan in Region 3 (Central Luzon); and Puerto Princesa City, Palawan in Region 4B (Mimaropa).
“Many of our Filipino seafarers struggle when it comes to processing their Marina documents because they do not have easy access to its offices,” Gonzalez said.
“This is the reason why we are for the creation of these extension offices to save time for travel and transportation costs, and to secure a more convenient way to avail of maritime services,’’ he added.
Gonzales said these offices are advantageous for Marina inspectors and surveyors for a faster schedule and conduct of inspections or surveys in these regions, and diminish processing time by the applicants from the usual one month to at least three days.
The lawmaker expects that the creation of Marina regional offices will “expand tourism, improve shipment operations, secure safer fishing operations in the coastal areas of the regions covered and increase employment.”