TAGUIG CITY — The Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) on Monday, 04 August 2025, met to discuss the renewal of their Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) focused on training and upskilling workers in the shipbuilding and ship repair (SBSR) sector.

Originally signed in October 2021, the MARINA-TESDA MOA underscores MARINA’s mandate to identify priority skills needed by the shipyard workforce. With the renewal of the agreement, TESDA will be tasked with the design, development, and approval of targeted training programs in ship welding (mild plates and aluminum), ship fitting, and pipe fitting — core competencies that are vital to the continued growth and competitiveness of the Philippine shipbuilding industry.

This renewed partnership comes at a pivotal time, as MARINA actively pushes for the passage of the Shipbuilding and Ship Repair (SBSR) Development Bill — a legislative measure aimed at modernizing the country’s shipyard sector.

The meeting was led by Engr. Marc Anthony P. Pascua, Director of the Shipyards Regulation Service (SRS), together with SRS personnel, during a visit to TESDA’s central office. They were welcomed by Executive Director Floramel Songsong of the Partnership and Liaison Office (PLO) and representatives from the Policy and Planning Office (PPO).

Beyond policy coordination, the visit also served as a courtesy engagement that reaffirmed MARINA’s strong collaboration with TESDA in aligning education and training with the evolving needs of the maritime industry.

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