Administrator’s Biography

In photo: Adm Sonia B. Malaluan

Sonia B. Malaluan
Administrator
Maritime Industry Authority

 

Education

    • ⦿ Master’s Degree in Public Administration (MPA) from Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, National University of Singapore (2010-2011)
    • ⦿ Master of Science Degree in Shipping Management from the World Maritime University, Malmo, Sweden (1997-1998)
    • ⦿ Bachelor of Science in Commerce, Major in Accounting, University of Batangas, Philippines (1983-1987)
    • ⦿ Attended numerous and various management, leadership, technical, administrative and financial training/seminars locally and abroad.

Work Experience: More than 35 years in the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) in various capacities, as follows:

    • ⦿ Administrator ( 18 December 2023 to present)
    • ⦿ Deputy Administrator for Planning (December 2022 to Nov 2023)
    • ⦿ Designated Officer-in-Charge, Office of the Deputy Administrator for Planning (Feb 2022 to November 2022)
    • ⦿ Director, MARINA Regional Office-National Capital Region (concurrent capacity)
    • ⦿ Director, Manpower Development Service (Feb to May 2022)
    • ⦿ Maritime Attache – London, UK (Dec 2018 to Dec 2021)
    • ⦿ Designated OIC, Office of the Deputy Administrator for Planning (Oct. to Nov. 2018)
    • ⦿ Director, Domestic Shipping Services (May 2017 to Sept 2018)
    • ⦿ Regional Director, MARINA Regional Office I & II (Dec 2015 to April 2017)
    • ⦿ Director, Manpower Development Services (June to Nov 2015)
    • ⦿ Director, Management, Financial and Administrative Services (Sept 2014 to May 2015)
    • ⦿ OIC, Management, Financial and Administrative Services (Jan 2013 to Aug 2014)
    • ⦿ Chief, Manpower Development Division, Manpower Development Service (April to Dec 2012)
    • ⦿ OIC, Administrative and Finance Office (June 2007 to June 2010)
    • ⦿ Chief Accountant, Management, Financial and Administrative Services (Jan 2000 to May 2007)
    • ⦿ Chief, Policy Review and Development Division, Planning and Policy Services (1999)
    • ⦿ Designated Executive Assistant, Office of the Administrator/appointed as Supervising Management and Audit analyst (July 1992- Dec 1997)
    • ⦿ Management and Audit Analyst I (Nov 1989 to June 1992)

Other Relevant Work Experience/Accomplishment:

      • ⦿ Representative or delegate of MARINA to different international fora, including: Technical Cooperation Committee, Facilitation Committee, Marine Environment Protection Committee, Council and Assembly Meetings of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), the ASEAN Senior Transport Officials Meetings and ASEAN Maritime Technical Working Group Meetings

 

    • ⦿ Led the successful Philippine hosting of the following conferences:
    • 1. Diplomatic Conference for the Adoption of the Amendments to the STCW 1978 Convention, now known as the Manila Amendments;
    • 2. National Forum of Domestic Ships in 2013;
    • 3. International Conference on Safety of Ships Carrying Passengers in Non-International Voyage in 2015; and
    • 4. Women in Asia Conference in 2015
    • 5. Philippine Maritime Industry Summit in February 2023
    • 6. Regional Conference : Seizing Opportunities in Green Shipping in May 2023

 

    • ⦿ Played a major role in following MARINA’s organizational changes, including development and issuance of policies, rules and regulations:
    • 1. Assumption of Flag State functions pursuant to Executive Order Nos. 125/125-A;
    • 2. Establishment of the MARINA Regional Offices and Extension Offices nationwide;
    • 3. Rationalization Plan of the MARINA in 2008;
    • 4. MARINA’s assumption of functions, as the Single Maritime Administration in the implementation of the STCW Convention, as amended; and
    • 5. Review/revision of the MARINA’s Organizational Structure Staffing Plan 2023

 

    • ⦿ Developed the MARINA Roadmap for the development of the country’s domestic shipping industry, as part of the Maritime Industry Development Plan (MIDP)

 

    • ⦿ Staunch advocate of women empowerment and equality:
    • 1. Member of the Women in Maritime Association, Philippines since 2000;
    • 2. Member of the Governing Council of the Women in Maritime –Asia (WIMAAsia) 2017 to present;
    • 3. MARINA Focal Point on Gender and Development ( Feb 2022 to Nov 2023)
    • 4. Former President of WIMAPhil, MARINA Sub-Chapter (2013-2017); and
    • 5. MARINA Focal Point on Gender and Development (2007- 2015)
    • 6. Member, IMO Gender Network (IMOGen)

Awards

    • ⦿ During her time as Chief Accountant, the MARINA Accounting Division received the Hall of Fame Award as Best Accounting Unit from the Association of Government Accountants of the Philippines
    • ⦿ Recognized as one of the Ten Most Outstanding Alumni of the Alitagtag Colleges during the 75th Founding Anniversary held last December 2023.

Other Affiliation

    • ⦿ Member, Friends of WMU, Japan
    • ⦿ WMU – Sasakawa Alumni Association of the Philippines
    • ⦿ WMU Alumni Association of the Philippines
    • ⦿ Member, IMO Maritime Attache and Representatives Club, (MARC) 2019-2021

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