Gonzales wants MARINA office upgraded to expand public access to services

EASTERN Samar Lone District Rep. Christopher Sheen Gonzales has filed a measure seeking to upgrade the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) satellite office in the Municipality of Guiuan into a regular extension office to improve public access to maritime government services.

Under House Bill No. 8698, the existing MARINA satellite office in Guiuan would be converted into a full-fledged extension office serving residents across Eastern Samar and nearby island communities.

The proposal aims to strengthen MARINA’s presence in the province and expand the agency’s capacity to assist seafarers, boat operators, shipping stakeholders, and coastal communities that rely heavily on the maritime sector for livelihood and mobility.

“This measure is about making government services more accessible and responsive to the realities faced by our coastal communities,” Gonzales said.

“Strengthening MARINA’s presence in Eastern Samar will greatly benefit our seafarers, maritime workers, transport operators, and the continued economic growth of the province,” he added.

Gonzales noted that many residents still travel long distances to process maritime documents and comply with regulatory requirements.

“By the upgrading the Guiuan MARINA office, we can bring essential government services closer to our constituents while reducing travel costs, processing time, and inconvenience,” he said.

Among the services expected to be strengthened are vessel registration and documentation, maritime safety monitoring, issuance of Seafarer Record Books and Seafarer Identity Documents, and the processing of Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW) credentials.

Gonzales underscored the importance of the maritime industry in Eastern Samar, where many residents depend on fishing, inter-island transport, shipping, and seafaring for gainful employment and economic activity.

He added that stronger MARINA operations in Guiuan would also help enhance maritime safety and provide better support for local shipping operators and maritime workers.

Gonzales previously served as mayor of Guiuan and vice governor of Eastern Samar.