Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF A’
Quezon City

Eighteenth Congress
First Regular Session

House Bit no. §418

INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVE ISAGANI S. AMATONG

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This measure seeks to create an extension office of the Maritime
Industry Authority (MARINA) in the Municipality of Liloy, Province of
Zamboanga del Norte.

The main functions of MARINA include the supervision and regulation of
the use of vessels, from small-scale fishing boats to large crafts for transport.
The agency also provides financial and technological assistance to the
fisherfolk within its area.

While there is an existing Regional Office and Extension Offices of
MARINA in Region IX, these offices are not able to fully cater to the needs of
the coastal residents of the Province of Zamboanga del Norte. In particular,
from the Municipality of Liloy, which is the seat of the 3" District of
Zamboanga del Norte, the nearest MARINA office is the Dapitan Extension
Office, which is 148.9 kilometers away. On the other hand, MARINA Region IX
Office in Pagadian City and the Zamboanga City Extension Office are 163.8
kilometers and 178 kilometers away from Liloy, respectively.

Because of the great distance from the MARINA offices, numerous
fisherfolk in the 3 District of Zamboanga del Norte have difficulty registering
their vessels. Having a MARINA extension office in Liloy will ensure that the
vessels and equipment the residents are using are safe and sea-worthy, in
order to avoid mishaps in the sea and to protect passengers and fisherfolk
alike. This extension office could be placed near the existing Liloy Seaport,
which is managed by the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA).

In view of the foregoing, the approval of this bill is earnestly sought.

Wilne

ISAGANI S. AMATONG


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

Eighteenth Congress
First Regular Session

6418
HOUSE BILL NO.

INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVE ISAGANI S. AMATONG

AN ACT CREATING AN EXTENSION OFFICE OF THE
MARINE INDUSTRY AUTHORITY (MARINA) IN THE
MUNICIPALITY OF LILOY, PROVINCE OF ZAMBOANGA DEL NORTE,
AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in
Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. There is hereby created an extension office of the Maritime
Industry Authority (MARINA) in the Municipality of Liloy, Province of
Zamboanga del Norte. The extension office shall serve as the regional hub for
Zamboanga del Norte and other nearby provinces and shall provide services for
the residents of said area.

SEC. 2. The Administrator of MARINA shall include in the Agency’s programs
the operationalization of the regular extension office in the Municipality of
Liloy, the initial funding of which shall be charged against the current year’s
appropriation of the MARINA Region IX located in Pagadian City. Thereafter,
such sums as may be necessary for the regular and continued operation of the
MARINA Extension Office shall be included in the annual General
Appropriations Act.

SEC. 3. The Secretary of Transportation, thru the Administrator of MARINA, is
hereby authorized to reorganize the offices, personnel, funds, and properties of
the MARINA within Region IX towards the effective and efficient delivery of
services for the residents of Zamboanga del Norte. The Secretary of
Transportation and the MARINA shall submit the consolidated reorganization
plan and any amendments thereof to the President of the Philippines for his
approval.

The authority granted under this Section may be exercised only until
December 31, 2021.

SEC. 4. This Act shall become effective fifteen (15) days after its publication in
the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved, ex