New Marina chief unveils 14-point agenda for agency

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Newly appointed Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) administrator retired General Rey Leonardo Guerrero bared his 14-point priority program as he formally took the helm at the maritime agency.

In a flag-raising ceremony on May 7 Guerrero, formerly the Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff, disclosed his priority programs and instructed Marina officials to submit substantial accomplishments by the end of the year, the agency said in a statement.

The priority programs include completion of the draft 10-year Maritime Industry Development plan; full compliance with the audit findings of the European Maritime Safety Agency relating to Philippine maritime education, training, and certification system following the country’s implementation of the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers of 1978, as amended; and assessment of the implementation of Republic Act No. 9295, otherwise known as the Domestic Shipping Development Act of 2004.

Guerrero also wants the following completed: the draft Revised Philippine Merchant Marine Rules and Regulations; the draft Philippine Fishing Vessels Rules and Regulations; and Marina quality procedures covering all major services at the agency’s central office service units to prepare for the eventual implementation of the Marina integrated management system.

The new Marina chief also included in his agenda the preparation for the Philippine audit under the International Maritime Organization Member State Audit Scheme (IMSAS) in 2021. The IMSAS will set out to determine how well the Philippines, as a member state of the IMO and its Council, gives full and complete effect to its obligations and responsibilities contained in a number of IMO treaty instruments.

Marina has already started preparations for the audit, which include developing a corrective action plan based on results of a mock audit, identifying gaps in legislation and in the charters of concerned agencies, and inter-agency awareness or orientation programs on IMSAS.

Guerrero’s 14-point agenda also include implementation of regulatory reforms to promote ease of doing business in the maritime industry, as well as enforcement of the Expanded Anti-Red Tape Act of 2017; accelerated filling up of vacant plantilla positions in both the central and regional offices; and re-engineering of the Marina website.

Guerrero also wants the proposal of a new organizational structure for Marina; strengthened and substantial Philippine participation in international meetings and conferences, where Marina participants should have with them prepared and cleared positions, interventions, and papers before being allowed to travel; validation by the Civil Service Commission of Marina’s implementation of the strategic performance management system; and revival of the Marina performance governance system.

During the flag-raising ceremony, he also urged Marina officials and employees to be mindful of their obligation and responsibilities to serve their clients with utmost professionalism, integrity, and excellence.

Guerrero reminded Marina officials and employees to remain faithful to their sworn duty as public servants and challenged them to live up to the highest level of ethical standards for government officials and employees.

“And always bear in mind that where a position of governance is higher, the expectations and demands will also be higher. Therefore, corrupt and non-performing employees will have no place in this organization,” he said.