(CONGRESSMAN SHEEN GONZALES FACEBOOK)
TACLOBAN CITY – Eastern Samar Lone District Rep. Christopher Sheen Gonzales has filed a bill seeking to upgrade the Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) satellite office in Guiuan town into a full-fledged extension office to improve access to government maritime services.
Under House Bill No. 8698, the existing Marina satellite office in Guiuan would be converted into an extension office that will serve residents of Eastern Samar and nearby island communities.
The proposal seeks to strengthen MARINA’s presence in the province and expand its capacity to assist seafarers, boat operators, shipping stakeholders, and coastal communities that depend on maritime activities for livelihood and transportation.
Gonzales said the measure is intended to bring government services closer to the people.
“This measure is about making government services more accessible and responsive to the realities faced by our coastal communities,” he said.
He added that strengthening Marina’s presence in Eastern Samar would benefit maritime workers and support local economic growth.
Gonzales also noted that many residents are forced to travel long distances just to process maritime documents and comply with regulatory requirements.
“By upgrading the Guiuan Marina office, we can bring essential government services closer to our constituents while reducing travel costs, processing time, and inconvenience,” he said.
The proposed upgrade will enhance services such as vessel registration and documentation, maritime safety monitoring, issuance of Seafarer Record Books and Seafarer Identity Documents, and processing of Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW) credentials.
Gonzales emphasized the importance of the maritime sector in Eastern Samar, where many residents rely on fishing, inter-island transport, shipping, and seafaring for employment and income.
He added that a stronger MARINA presence in Guiuan would also help improve maritime safety and provide better support for local operators and workers.
(LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)
