TO MAKE Davao Region known in the global maritime sector, the Maritime Industry Authority-Davao (Marina-Davao), an agency of the Department of Transportation (DOTr), officially broke ground for its newest four-storey building at Davao Regional Government Center, Bago Oshiro, Davao City on Tuesday afternoon, August 15, 2023.
Presidential Assistant for Eastern Mindanao Leo Tereso Magno congratulated the Marina- Davao for its significant contribution to the government, emphasizing in his short remarks that over the past years, the opening of at least 20 ship manufacturing businesses in the region attracted foreign businesses to the area.
“This progress is not a small thing, this is a big thing for us in Davao Region because it opens a lot of opportunities for us to be known not just in the country, but also internationally,” he said.
Meanwhile, Deputy Administrator for Operations - Maritime Industry Authority Engr. Nannette Villamor-Dinopol revealed that the agency is now recognized as European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) in March this year after all the Filipino seafarers were suspended to go on board European ships.
“Kabalo ba mo nga na-recognize nata sa EMSA? There was an issue before that our certificate of competency to our seafarers will no longer be recognized because of an audit. However, early this March, we were able to pass the EMSA and our Filipino officers on board continue to work in European flagships (Did you know that we were recognized by EMSA? There was an issue before that our certificate of competency to our seafarers will no longer be recognized because of an audit. However, early this March, we were able to pass the EMSA and our Filipino officers on board continue to work in European Flagships),” she said.
The official added that their agency together with DOTr is currently working on its mandate to emphasize the importance of the maritime community and the “marine safety investigation” to probe the root cause of any maritime incidents.
“One of our major mandates is to ensure maritime safety and security. We have this “marine safety investigation” for us to determine the root cause of any accidents to improve maritime safety (One of our major mandates is to ensure maritime safety and security. We have this called "marine safety investigation" for us to determine the root cause of any accidents to improve maritime safety),” she added.
Present at the event were Felisa Orongan, Regional Director - Marina-Davao; Leo Tereso Magno, Secretary, Office of the Presidential Assistant for Eastern Mindanao; Carlo Lisandro Gonzales, Representative, Marino Partylist; employees of Marina-Davao, members of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), and other government officials.
Established in December 1988, the Marina-Davao regional office is one of the largest regional buildings in the country in terms of land area. It has currently 29 persons manning the agency who are responsible for the five provinces: Davao del Sur, Davao del Norte, Davao Oriental, Davao de Oro and Davao Occidental. It caters to maritime services such as shipbuilding, domestic shipping, maritime safety, franchising, and manpower licensing. DEF