1. Recommends the adoption, review, updating, implementation and monitoring of the domestic shipping sector’s plans, programs, projects, incentives, financing schemes, standards, policies, rules, regulations and guidelines on accreditation of domestic shipowners/operators/companies and maritime enterprises/entities, acquisition of ships for domestic trading and fishing operations, ship registration, documentation and licensing, special permits for temporary change in trading status or utilization of ships in the domestic trade, importation of marine engine/spare parts, incentives availment and other applications/requests related to domestic shipping operations, adequacy of shipping service and appropriate levels of shipping service standards/quality and efficiency and other related concerns; assists in the evaluation of their responsiveness/effectiveness to goals/objectives for the industry; provides policy interpretations/resolutions, where warranted; and when necessary, adopts and maintains a system of intervention in order to protect public interest based on set parameters and criteria;
  2. Evaluates and recommends appropriate action on applications/requests of domestic shipping companies/enterprises/shipowners/operators relative to the accreditation of domestic shipping companies/maritime entities; acquisition of ships for domestic trading and fishing operations, ship registration, documentation and licensing, special permits for temporary change in trading status or utilization of ships in the domestic trade, importation of marine engines/spare parts, incentives availment and other applications/requests related to domestic shipping operations;
  3. Establishes, prescribes and fosters the development of routes, zones or areas of operations and an integrated sea transport network by identifying viable routes suitable for long haul and liner routes, short haul ferry routes, RORO routes, tramp operations, feeder routes and hub ports, to guide and advise domestic ship owners/operators where shipping services can be provided or are necessary in order to promote and spur economic activities;
  4. Undertakes analysis and evaluation of the prevailing issues, problems, and concerns affecting the domestic shipping industry and recommends appropriate solutions through the adoption, review and implementation of rules, regulations and programs attendant thereto;
  5. Conducts research on competition and consumer protection cases, competition systems and policies, investigations of abuses of dominant positions/market power and other anti-competitive acts in other countries/economies in order to have an extensive base of experience and knowledge in the identification of areas of harm to effective competition and to strengthen the Authority’s intervention function;
  6. Initiates conduct of research/studies and recommends the adoption and implementation of projects and programs that will further improve the domestic shipping industry and generates/submits the corresponding reports/papers/outputs supportive of the regulatory/supervisory and promotional/developmental functions of the Authority;
  7. Determines and recommends the adoption, review, continuing implementation and monitoring of appropriate levels of domestic shipping service standards, quality of service and efficiency, through regular conduct of enhanced Passenger Service Rating System (PSRS) and Cargo Service rating System (CSRS) surveys, in coordination with concerned Units of the Authority and the MARINA Regional Offices;
  8. Coordinates/cooperates with appropriate Units of the Authority, relevant government agencies and entities concerned with domestic shipping operations to continually improve the services being provided;
  9. Participates, when necessary, in the planning, programming, implementation and assessment of government priority projects in close coordination with the different MARINA Units and other government agencies, private sector associations and entities concerned;
  10. Conducts or participates in the conduct of public consultation in coordination with other MARINA Units, relevant government agencies, private sector associations and other entities involved in the domestic shipping industry/operations regarding issues, problems, complaints, concerns on the provision of domestic shipping services, proposed laws, programs, projects, policies, rules, regulations and guidelines and in relation to the briefing/orientation on newly approved issuances and performs assessment/evaluation on matters requiring MARINA intervention in order to continually improve the services being provided;
  11. Recommends the development and maintenance of databases and monitoring system on domestic shipping operations in terms of determination of compliance with the standards, provisions, terms and conditions of approvals/permits/certificates/licenses issued by the Authority to further improve work productivity and efficiency in public service, in coordination with the MISS;
  12. Identifies external/internal information that will serve as inputs to the discharge of the regulatory/supervisory and promotional/developmental functions covering the domestic shipping sector, in coordination with appropriate Units of the Authority, private sector and relevant government agencies;
  13. Prepares responses/replies to inquiries relating to the discharge of the regulatory/supervisory and promotional/developmental functions covering the domestic shipping sector;
  14. Undertakes preparation of position/information/discussion papers on matters/issues relating to the discharge of the regulatory/supervisory and promotional/developmental functions covering the domestic shipping sector;
  15. Represents the Authority in the international maritime conferences, meetings and negotiations, as may be assigned by higher authorities; and,
  16. Performs such other functions as may be assigned by higher authorities.