CADIZ CITY, Negros Occidental — The Maritime Industry Authority Regional Office VI (MRO6), led by Regional Director Jeffrey A. Bangsa, concluded its third Maritime Safety Culture Awareness Campaign Caravan in Western Visayas with a culminating event in Cadiz City on 12
April 2025.

The campaign was conducted in partnership with the Local Government Unit of Cadiz, headed by Mayor Salvador G. Escalante Jr., and aimed to promote maritime safety among key stakeholders in Negros Occidental.

The event kicked off with a motorcade from the Cadiz Commercial Port to the Cadiz City Arena, involving 55 vehicles and around 200 participants, including representatives from maritime schools, domestic shipping operators, fisherfolk, and fishing operators.

A highlight of the activity was the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement between MARINA RO VI and the LGU of Cadiz City to formalize their collaboration in promoting maritime safety awareness.

In his opening remarks, Dir. Bangsa emphasized the importance of upholding safety standards to protect lives and the marine environment. The event also featured the distribution of “Ligtas Byaheng Dagat” shirts, information and education campaign (IEC) materials, and safety awareness AVPs, which were also distributed to stakeholders via hard drives.

IEC posters were also installed at key ports including Cadiz City Commercial Port, PPA Port-Dumangas in Iloilo, BREDCO Ro-Ro Port, and BREDCO Fastcraft Terminal in Bacolod City.

The event concluded with participants taking the “Panata ng Kaligtasan” or Pledge of Commitment, reaffirming their dedication to a culture of maritime safety.

Various government agencies also showed support, including the Philippine Coast Guard District Southern Visayas, represented by LTJG Jesa Pauline B. Villegas; the Philippine Ports Authority PMO Negros Occidental/BREDCO/Bacolod/Banago, represented by Ms. Arlyn A. Caraig; and Cadiz Port Manager Tony Prado.