IN PHOTOS – The Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) – Franchising Service (FS) Central Office team, headed by Engr. Ronaldo P. Bandalaria, conducted an Assessment of the Phasing out of wooden-hulled ships (WHS) carrying passengers under MC No. 2016-02, and on the Oversight Functions within MARINA Regional Office (MRO) IX – the Zamboanga Peninsula last 25-28 July 2022, wherein the FS assessed all delegated functions to the MROs on matters relating to FS issuances including the implementation of several circulars such as MC No. 2016-02.

The activity was divided into two parts; the first one is the FS Oversight wherein a workshop was held with the Franchising Unit of the MRO to review and inspect the implementation of standard procedures in the issuance, amendment, revocation, or general administration by MROs on CPCs and other forms of authority to operate as issued to companies and its ships.

The second half was the assessment of the implementation of MC 2016-02 wherein the FS Central team went to the affected areas of the phase-out of the wooden-hulled ships and evaluate the status quo after the of stakeholders 5 years after its implementation, attend to the issues and concerns that is yet to be addressed by the MARINA, and to ensure that the MC is implemented properly in accordance to the provision stated therewith.

Upon assessing all MROs this 2022, the FS will submit a consolidated report which shall include a synthesis of the results including an overall recommendation and way forward on possible policy gaps to be addressed and areas needed for improvements.

As of now, one of the proposed ways forward is for a yearly consolidated FS Convention of all MROs starting next year (2023).