Marcos names new MARINA chief

TOKYO: President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. appointed Sonia Malaluan as the new administrator of the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA), Malacañang announced Friday.

Malaluan will replace Hernani Fabia, who tendered his resignation, Presidential Communications Secretary Cheloy Garafil said.

«In appointing Malaluan, President Marcos cited her remarkable training and experience in economics, technology, finance, law, management, public utility and in other aspects of the maritime industry,» Garafil said in a statement.

Before her appointment as MARINA chief, Malaluan was the agency's deputy administrator for Planning on Nov. 23, 2022 upon the recommendation of Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista.

She also served as Director 2 from May 2014 to November 2022; maritime attaché to London in 2018; chief accountant from December 2001 to April 2014; and chief transportation development officer from February to December 2001.

Malaluan, a certified public accountant, graduated with a degree in Bachelor of Science in Commerce from the Western Philippine College in 1987, and a Master's degree in Science in Shipping Management from the World Maritime University, Sweden in 1998.

She also earned her Master's degree in Public Administration from Singapore's National University, Lee Kwan Yew School of Public Policy in 2011.

MARINA, an attached agency of the Department of Transportation, is mandated to adopt and implement a practicable and coordinated Maritime Industry Development Program.

It is also tasked to ensure the effective supervision, regulation and rationalization of the organizational management, ownership and operations of all water transport utilities and other maritime enterprises.