MARINA Beefs Up Preps for Maritime Audit

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The Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) beefs up its preparations for the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Member State Audit Scheme (IMSAS) scheduled in 2021.

To ensure the preparedness of the Philippine maritime industry for the mandatory audit, the MARINA drafted a proposed bill to ensure the country’s implementation of five (5) IMO conventions, specifically the Safety of Life at Seas (SOLAS), International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL), Convention on International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGS), International Convention on Load Lines, and International Convention on the Tonnage Measurement of Ships.

“The proposed bill is a proof of MARINA’s proactive approach to the issues confronting the Philippine maritime industry. With this, we hope to boost our collaboration with the legislators in passing laws that will enable the Philippines to effectively implement IMO conventions,” MARINA Administrator Rey Leonardo Guerrero said. 

The MARINA actively facilitates the translation of international maritime laws into national legislations in the performance of its obligations and responsibilities as an IMO member. 

In fact, MARINA aligned its proposed bill with House Bill 456 which ensures full and effective implementation and enforcement of several IMO-issued conventions to promote maritime safety and security. The MARINA’s proposed bill will support the implementation of House Bill 456 once it is finally passed into a law. 

MARINA Legal Service Director Atty. Maximo Banares, Jr. explained that the proposed bill aims to address the gaps in the mandates of maritime agencies.

“Our proposed bill will ensure proper delegation of authorities among maritime agencies by determining which should be given full and complete effect to a particular IMO convention,” Atty. Banares said.  

As part of its preparations for the IMSAS, the MARINA also conducted a mock audit of the country’s compliance with IMO agreements in the second quarter of 2018. Corrective action plans for the local maritime industry were developed based on the results of the mock audit. 

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