Industry stakeholders lauded the leadership of past and present officials as the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) prepares to celebrate its 50th anniversary.
The agency will hold its anniversary celebration at the Okada Manila ballroom on June 1, with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. as the main speaker. Administrator Sonia Malaluan will lead the event, with former officer-in-charge and deputy administrator Nicasio Conti among the invited guests.
Both Malaluan and Conti hail from Batangas province. Stakeholders credited them with bringing about transformative changes at MARINA.
Conti, appointed by former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in 2009 as the deputy administrator for planning of MARINA, is referred to as the “father” of the MARINA STCW Office, which was his brainchild.
He played a pivotal role in the agency’s reform and modernization from 2010 to 2015. His leadership as officer-in-charge administrator, from April 2012 to May 2013 also marked a period of significant progress that strengthened the local maritime industry.
Under his administration, the Philippines hosted the Diplomatic Conference in 2010 to adopt amendments to the International Convention on the Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW) for Seafarers.
Conti and then-director Malaluan were the dynamic duo who ensured the success of the Manila STCW Conference.
One of Conti’s notable achievements was the designation of MARINA as the Single Maritime Administration responsible for overseeing the implementation of the STCW Convention, as formalized by Executive Order No. 75 signed by President Benigno Aquino III in 2012.
The executive order resolved long-standing jurisdictional disputes among various agencies and laid the foundation for a unified national agenda focused on the protection and promotion of seafarers’ welfare.
EO 75 also became the basis for Republic Act No. 10635, which established MARINA as the single maritime administration responsible for the implementation and enforcement of the 1978 International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping (STCW) for Seafarers, as amended.
Conti was also instrumental in expanding MARINA’s functions, increasing the number of plantilla positions and establishing more extension offices to meet the needs of the growing shipping industry. His efforts culminated in the establishment of the MARINA Building, a landmark that symbolizes the agency’s progress and commitment to the maritime sector.
Conti also received numerous accolades from various organizations, including the Alliance of MARINA Employees and the Philippine Association of Maritime Training Centers Inc. (PAMTCI).
His leadership not only brought back the glory to MARINA but also forged effective collaborations between maritime education and training providers and the government, ensuring compliance with international standards.
Meanwhile, Malaluan, appointed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., as the administrator in December 2023, is a seasoned public servant whose career at the agency spans over three decades. An accountant by profession, she graduated from Western Philippine College and earned her Master’s degree in shipping management from the World Maritime University in Sweden.
Malaluan has held numerous roles within MARINA, including chief accountant, regional director for Metro Manila, maritime attaché in London and overall officer-in-charge. Her extensive experience and deep understanding of the agency’s operations have been vital in implementing policies, rules, and regulations that have significantly shaped the maritime industry’s development.
One of Malaluan’s significant contributions was her involvement in the crafting of the MARINA Roadmap, a comprehensive 10-year Maritime Industry Development Program aimed at enhancing the domestic shipping industry.
Her strategic vision and leadership have been instrumental in addressing the challenges faced by the sector and seizing new opportunities for growth and advancement.
As an advocate for women’s empowerment, Malaluan is an active member of the Women in Maritime Association (WIMA) and has served as the president of its Philippines sub-chapter.
Her commitment to promoting gender equality and empowering women in the maritime sector has been a source of inspiration for many. Under her leadership, MARINA has continued to strengthen the capabilities of Filipino seafarers, ensuring their job security and enhancing their skills to meet international standards.
