BRENDA V. PIMENTEL: Recalling Marina’s transformation

Recalling Marina’s transformation
BRENDA V. PIMENTEL June 05, 2019 https://www.manilatimes.net/recalling-marinas-transformation/564635/

Several times in this column I have mentioned that Presidential Decree 474 creating the Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) is one of the best legacy of President Ferdinand Marcos. Not many would attribute the creation of Marina to President Marcos’ vision of unifying an archipelago, which at that time deeply resented his authoritarian government.

I joined Marina in 1979 after a five-year employment at the Development Academy of the Philippines and I remember my DAP boss exclaiming, “Who is Marina?” when I informed him I was joining the agency. I must admit I was a bit disturbed when I first reported to the PPL Building, then housing the Marina. Stepping out from the neat and well-maintained DAP offices in Makati and Tagaytay cities to the dimly-lighted corridors and cramped offices could have been one big mistake, or so I thought. A big frustration too was the absence of a decent library, as I needed to brush up on an industry I thought was reserved for “men” only. That there were no women in the management level reinforced my belief that women have no place in that agency — yet the office carries a woman’s name “Marina.”

My frustration immediately disappeared as soon as I realized many of us then were in our twenties and early thirties, yet tasked to finding a way of introducing reforms in an industry that has existed for as long as we had this archipelago. And there were many of us women; in fact except for the safety and naval engineering offices, all the other offices were dominated by women. I remember too that applicants for employment in Marina must pass the National Computer Center (NCC) exams and this is one qualification we were proud about — that of having to pass through a “comminuter” as a condition for joining Marina.

Of course, we were under the guidance of male top management officials, and I do remember very distinctly the amiable and reserved demeanor of Col. Generoso Tanseco and the jovial Capt. Abraham Campo. We were fortunate to have worked with a powerhouse of young and intelligent directors such as Lt. Roilo “Roi” Golez (who became a congressman), Tranquilino “Bong” Ventura Jr., Demtrio “Bong” Santos Jr., lawyer Procopio “Jun” de Dios and Engr. Cesar Jovellanos to name a few. There were two among us NCC passers who eventually became administrators, Sirs Paciencio “Boi” Balbon and Emerson Lorenzo.

In recognition of Marina’s distinct role of tranforming the maritime industry into a key player towards achieving this archipelago’s socioeconomic progress, its mandate and functions were expanded to ensure there is coherent and integrated maritime policy and programs. Taking on flag administration functions was not easy as there was strong opposition from agencies whose functions were transferred to Marina. Equally daunting was getting the Marina officers and personnel up to the demands of the assumed functions.

Fast forward — Marina finally found a home and will have its inauguration today, June 5. For us ex-Marina employees we are happy that after 45 years, Marina will have its own building. There are many we should thank for this, but I wish to specially mention two of them who worked hard to get that building finally erected — Atty. Nicasio Conti and Rep. Jesulito Manalo.

To the Marina staff and officers, happy anniversary!!