DAET, Camarines Norte – The MARINA Region V (MRO5), led by Regional Director Atty. Maximo I. Bañares, Jr., conducted a Maritime Safety Culture Awareness Campaign Caravan and Mobile Registration and One-Stop-Shop at the Camarines Norte Agro Sports Complex on 12 February 2025.

The event began with a motorcade from Jose Panganiban Gym, passing through Paracale and Vinzons before reaching Daet, symbolizing a unified commitment to maritime safety.

RD Bañares opened the program by highlighting MARINA’s mandate to promote a safety-oriented maritime culture. Key government agencies, including the Philippine Coast Guard – Coast Guard District Bicol (PCG CGDB), led by Commo Ivan E. Roldan, and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) Region V, led by Dir. Ariel U. Pioquinto, actively participated in the campaign. Commo Roldan reiterated the PCG’s role in safeguarding coastal communities and seafarers.

The campaign featured presentations on maritime safety best practices and technological advancements. Engr. Keith M. Mirafuentes, Section Head of MSS, led a discussion on safety awareness, while Engr. Ma. Veronica L. Biglete, Supervising MIDS, introduced the Full Implementation of MARINA’s Blockchain Enabled Automated Certification System (MARINA BEST), aimed at improving efficiency and transparency in maritime certification. Representatives from PCG and BFAR also provided updates on ongoing safety and environmental programs.

A significant highlight of the event was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between MARINA and the municipalities of Vinzons, Jose Panganiban, Paracale, and Mercedes. The agreement formalizes efforts to enhance maritime safety education, capacity building, and awareness initiatives.

The afternoon session featured a mobile registration and one-stop shop, providing seafarers and stakeholders with access to online services, including the MARINA Integrated Seafarers Management Online (MISMO) system.

View photos here