THE Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) celebrated its 50th anniversary on June 1, marking 5 decades of profound contributions to the maritime industry.
This milestone reaffirmed Marina's steadfast commitment to pioneering excellence and shaping the future of the maritime sector for years ahead.
Established in 1974 through Presidential Decree 474, Marina had been integral to fostering maritime safety, innovation and sustainability in the country.
Initially under the Office of the President, Marina was integrated into the Department of Transportation and Communications in 1979 to streamline maritime affairs and foster industry growth.
The anniversary celebrations highlighted Marina's pivotal role in promoting safety, efficiency and excellence in the maritime sector. The event commemorated past achievements and set the stage for future endeavors, emphasizing Marina's leadership in navigating challenges and opportunities in maritime affairs.
Day of the Filipino Seafarer 2024
Marina hosted the Day of the Filipino Seafarer 2024 on June 25 under the theme "Navigating the future: Safety first." This annual event honored Filipino seafarers' crucial roles in ensuring maritime safety.
The morning symposium featured speakers from the Ocean Technologies Group, Marina's Marine Environment Protection and Development Service, Philippine Coast Guard, and the International Seafarers' Welfare and Assistance Network. Discussions focused on enhancing maritime safety through international cooperation and innovative practices, aligned with the event's hashtag #SafetyTipsAtSea.
Topics covered at the symposium included crew welfare, technological advancements and environmental sustainability in maritime operations. An oathtaking ceremony for merchant marine officers and harbor pilots underscored essential roles in maintaining safety and efficiency.
The Gregorio Oca Leadership and Development Foundation recognized women, supporting seafarer families, highlighting their invaluable contributions to the maritime community.
Awards such as the "Marina Honours Filipino Seafarer Bravery at Sea 2024" and "Gawad Natatanging Mandaragat 2024" honored exceptional Filipino seafarers for their bravery and skills, showcasing their significant contributions to the maritime sector.
The day concluded with awards for the video-making contest and photo contest, celebrating seafarers' creativity.
Marina organized events across various locations to commemorate the Day of the Filipino Seafarer. A special flag ceremony in honor of Filipino seafarers was held at Rizal Park Luneta by SeaFam International, symbolizing unity among seafarers and recognizing their dedication to global maritime interests.
Marina also facilitated a job fair at SM San Lazaro, providing career opportunities for seafarers in domestic shipping. Free rides on the Light Rail Transit or LRT Line 2 and Metro Rail Transit or MRT Line 3 were offered to Filipino seafarers, presenting valid Seafarer's Identification Record Book, Seafarers' Identity Document or Seafarer's Identification Booklet, demonstrating Marina's appreciation for their contributions.
Marina reiterated the urgent need to modernize the domestic fleet, and enhance automation and digitalization for improved maritime safety.
In The Manila Times forum on June 14, Marina Director Luisito "Lui" delos Santos emphasized the complexity of current maritime challenges, and advocated for stronger ship inspection regimes, support for local shipyards and legislative measures to bolster the competitiveness of the shipbuilding industry.
These events underscored Marina's leadership and proactive stance in addressing industry challenges while promoting safety, sustainability and excellence in maritime operations.
As Marina continued to navigate the future, it remained committed to advancing the maritime industry through sustainable growth, innovation and global competitiveness.