ILOILO City – The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Regional Office 6 has completed the construction of a new maritime facility that will serve as headquarters for Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) Regional Office 6, along Muelle Loney Street, here.
Said building was inaugurated recently by Angkla Partylist Representative, Jesulito A. Manalo, who initiated the project, MARINA Administrator, Rey Leonardo B. Guerero, Iloilo Provincial Governor Arthur D. Defensor, Sr. represented by his Executive Staff, Iloilo City Lone District Representative Jerry P. Treñas and MARINA 6 regional director Rizal J. Victoria, along with other concerned agencies, including DPWH Regional Office VI, represented by Construction Division Chief, Engr. Ormel G. Santos.
The project, in the amount of P59.400 million funded under DPWH 6 FY 2016 Infrastructure Program, involves construction of 4-Storey building with roof deck and elevator, situated in a lot provided by the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA).
During the inauguration, Victoria lauded DPWH for providing the funding for the construction of the building, which is the first MARINA Regional Office building, as well as Congressman Manalo for taking initiative in putting up a building that will house the MARINA employees and cater the needs of seafarers in the region.
Victoria added that having own building would support higher level of public service and help them provide effective and efficient maritime service considering that Region 6 produces the most number of seafarers yearly.
The construction of MARINA building aims to advance the interest of the Ilonggo’s maritime sector, promote maritime development, and provide safety through better information, cooperation and unity of effort among stakeholders of the maritime industry.
MARINA was attached to the Department of Transportation and Communication, by virtue of Executive Order No. 546 and assumed the quasi-judicial functions of the Board of Transportation (BOT) over domestic transport by virtue of Executive Order 1011, however, pursuant to Republic Act No. 10635, it was established as the single maritime administration, responsible for the implementation and enforcement of the 1978 International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, as amended, and International Agreements or Covenants./PN
