MAASIN CITY- From a satellite office, the Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) located in Barangay Abgao, is bent on becoming an extension entity to better serve its clientele, the boat owners and seamen.
Engr. Delfin Calapre, Jr., Marina specialist II, in a phone patch interview with Infocen Manager Erna Gorne during the DyDM Kapihan sa PIA live Friday, on the sidelines of a maritime forum and consultative meeting with various stakeholders held at Jaimee’s Hotel in Brgy. Ibarra explained that as a satellite status, the office can only receive papers for registration and licensing and then forward these papers to the regional office, but as a Marina extension office there will be no need of forwarding for it can already be capable of registering or issuing licenses and franchises.
Calapre likened the function of his office to that of the Land Transportation Authority (LTO) which issues registration for motorized bancas and motorboats for fishing ventures, and professional licenses for seamen.
In addition, Calapre said Marina is also like the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) that gives franchise for passenger boats to operate in specific routes within their area of coverage, from Baybay City and the whole of Southern Leyte province.
Calapre hoped that as early as next year their office will be converted from satellite to extension, considering the continued increase in the number of sea-faring operators and individuals and the wide coverage area, so that processing of papers will be done at their level.
For this year, their office has facilitated the issuance of seaman’s book to about 700 seafarers, and provided registration and issuance of franchises to over 100 ship/boat operators, Calapre further said. (PIA8-Southern Leyte)
