Marino Partylist Representative Sandro Gonzalez gave its full support to the participation of the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) in a project organized by different international groups that aims to promote and strengthen domestic ferry operations in the Philippines. 

According to Gonzalez, the initiative of MARINA in garnering international partnerships proved the sincerity of the Philippine government in enhancing the safety of sea vessel passengers. 

“The Marino Party-list is 100 percent behind MARINA. MARINA’s active role in this international partnership clearly shows the Philippine government’s effort to enhance the safety of passengers of sea vessels operating domestically. Likewise, the issue of energy efficiency of our ferry operations is always a matter of concern for our government,” Gonzalez said. 

One of the international groups, the World Maritime University (WMU) of Sweden, said that the MARINA coordinated with the project teams of experts from the University of Strathclyde, national stakeholders, consultants from the Philippines, and WMU experts.

The project aims to fill up the gaps for the purpose of safety and energy efficiencies, including the decarbonization of domestic passenger ships in the Philippines. 

“We in the Marino Party-list believe that MARINA understands the maritime sector in the Philippines. What MARINA can contribute to this project are correct orientation, identification of challenges, proper guidance, and valuable inputs, among others, regarding the Philippine domestic ferry operations situation,” Gonzalez stated. 

The project started last December 2021 for multiple stakeholders for the operation and certification of different ferry services. 

Photo Credit: Facebook/sandrogonzalezofficial