Republic of the Philippines 
House of Representatives 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
Eighteenth Congress 
Second Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. _____ 
Introduced by Representatives Ria Cristina G. Fariñas 
and Rudys Caesar G. Fariñas I 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
This bill seeks to establish an extension office of the Maritime Industry 
Authority (MARINA) in the City of Laoag, Province of Ilocos Norte.  
MARINA is the leading agency for maritime administration for safer 
people, safer ships, and cleaner environment. It likewise envisions the 
Philippines to have a globally competitive maritime industry.  
Under its mandate, MARINA is authorized to register, supervise, and 
regulate all kinds of vessels, provide technological training assistance to all 
Filipino fisherfolk, and process certificates and professional identification cards 
or seaman’s book for Filipino seafarers, among others.  
According to the MARINA Central Office, the Province of Ilocos Norte 
has an estimate of 4,167 seafarers residing in the province.  In the First 
Legislative District of Ilocos Norte alone, there are 2,567 seafarers.  
MUNICIPALITY 
NO. OF SEAFARERS 
Adams 
480 
Bacarra 
246 
Bangui 
58 
Burgos 
50 
Carasi 
5 
Dumalneg 
40 
Laoag 
745 
Pagudpud 
95 
Pasuquin 
193 
Sarrat 
254 
April 28, 2021
9:51 am
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Vintar 
401 
TOTAL 
2,567 
Ilocano seafarers still have to travel 8-12 hours to Manila for the 
processing of their requirements needed for training and other applications, 
and the distance and expenses alone put a heavy burden on them. 
The nearest regional office of MARINA is located in San Fernando City, 
La Union, which is approximately five (5) hours of travel from Laoag City. 
Although it is much easier for residents of Ilocos Norte to go to La Union instead 
of Manila, only a limited number or applicants are accommodated at the field 
office and are therefore forced to travel all the way to the MARINA Central 
office in Manila. 
Establishing a MARINA extension office in Laoag City will likewise assist 
the fisherfolk of Ilocos Norte with their requests for financial and technological 
assistance.  The fishing industry in Ilocos Norte continues to flourish.  According 
to the Philippine Statistics Authority - Ilocos Region’s fisheries production grew 
in 2019 by 9.34%. In region 1 alone, Ilocos Norte shared 3.54% to the total 
fisheries production. 
Thus, the establishment of an extension office will not only lessen the 
burden of the seafarers of Ilocos Norte but provide an opportunity for the 
province to have an equal chance to develop its fishing industry. 
In view of the foregoing, the approval of this bill is earnestly sought. 
RIA CHRISTINA G. FARIÑAS 
 RUDYS CAESAR G. FARIÑAS 


Republic of the Philippines 
House of Representatives 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
Eighteenth Congress 
Second Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. _____ 
Introduced by Representative Ria Cristina G. Fariñas 
and Rudys Caesar G. Fariñas I 
AN ACT 
1 
ESTABLISHING AN EXTENSION OFFICE OF THE MARITIME INDUSTRY AUTHORITY 
2 
(MARINA) IN THE CITY OF LAOAG, PROVINCE OF ILOCOS NORTE, AND 
3 
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR 
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5 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines 
6 
in Congress assembled: 
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SECTION 1.  There shall be established an extension office of the Maritime 
8 
Industry Authority (MARINA) in the City of Laoag, Province of Ilocos Norte. The 
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extension office shall provide services for the residents of the Province of Ilocos 
10 
Norte and other nearby provinces. 
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SEC. 2.  The Administrator of MARINA shall immediately include in the 
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Authority’s program the operationalization of the MARINA extension office in 
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the City of Laoag, Province of Ilocos Norte, the initial funding of which shall be 
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charged against the current year’s appropriations of MARINA Region 1 
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located in the Province of La Union. Thereafter, such sum as may be necessary 
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for the regular and continued operation of the MARINA extension office shall 
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be included in the annual General Appropriations Act. 
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SEC. 3.  The Secretary of Transportation, thru the Administrator of 
1 
MARINA, is hereby authorized to reorganize the offices, personnel, funds, and 
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properties of the MARINA   Region 1 for the effective and efficient delivery of 
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services for the residents of Ilocos Norte.  The Secretary of Transportation and 
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MARINA shall submit the consolidated reorganization plan and any 
5 
amendments thereof to the President of the Philippines for his approval. 
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The authority granted under this Section may be exercised until 
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December 31, 2022.  
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SEC 4.  Within ninety (90) days from the effectivity of this Act, the 
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Secretary of Transportation shall, in coordination with the Administrator of 
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MARINA, issue the necessary rules and regulations for the effective 
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implementation of this Act. 
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SEC. 5.  This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in 
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the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. 
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Approved, 
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