Newly appointed Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) Administrator Rey Leonardo Guerrero recently bared his 14-point agenda, giving the agency the direction and boost it needs to carry out lasting reforms.
Presiding on his first flag ceremony as MARINA Administrator last Monday, 7 May 2018, the former Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff reminded officials and employees on their duties as public servants.
At the center of these programs is the (1) completion of the 10-year draft of the Maritime Industry Development Program (MIDP), which provides a general framework and execution plan for the agency.
In an effort to make merchant marine services and procudures more efficient, Guerrero directed MARINA to work on the following: (2)completion of the revised draft on Philippine Merchant Marine Rules and Regulations; (3) completion of the MARINA quality procedures covering all major services at the MARINA Central Service Units in preparation for the eventual implementation of the MARINA Integrated Management System; and (4) completion of the draft for the Philippine Fishing Vessels Rules and Regulations (PFVRR).
Strengthening the organization is also among Guerrero’s priorities. He is (5) proposing for a new MARINA organizational structure; and wants to (6) accelerate filling up of vacant plantilla positions. To ensure everyone is performing his or her duties as mandated, the Guerroro wants to (7) revive the MARINA Performance Governance System (PGS); and work on the (8) validation by the Civil Service Commission of MARINA’s implementation of the strategic Performance Management System.
The newly-installed MARINA chief also wants to make sure that the Philippines will carry on with its good standing in the global maritime community by ensuring (9) full compliance with the audit findings of the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) relating to Philippine Maritime Education, training and certification system; (10) preparation for the Philippine Audit under the IMO Member State Audit Scheme (IMSAS) in 2021; and (11) strengthened and substantial Philippine participation in international meetings and conferences. He added that MARINA participants in such conferences should have prepared and cleared positions, interventions, and papers before being allowed to travel.
Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Arthur Tugade expressed his confidence in the leadership of the new MARINA Administrator.
Guerrero was appointed by President Rodrigo Duterte to the MARINA after his resignation from the AFP last April 24.
