Marina inaugurates training institute in Bacolod

Marina inaugurates training institute in Bacolod
Genivi Verdejo June 1, 2022 https://www.manilatimes.net/2022/06/01/business/maritime/marina-inaugura...

THE Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) Marina has inaugurated its training and research development arm, Marina Training Institute (MarTI), in Bacolod City.

Marina Administrator Robert Empedrad said, "MarTI will undertake, promote and coordinate related maritime research and development programs."

MarTI will help improve the capacity of Marina and other partners to innovate and operate modern technologies. It can spearhead programs to help the country tackle the changing trends in the maritime industry and serve as a systematic educational and training system and facilities for all maritime professionals.

Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson said, "This building will pave the way for the improvement of the capacities of Marina to adapt to the fast-changing trends in the maritime industry and to serve as an effective training and education facility for all maritime professionals."

As part of the program, a brief history regarding the MarTI, titled "How MarTI Came to Be," was presented to the participants from local government units (LGUs), Philippine Ports Authority (PPA), Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), Maritime Higher Education Institutions (MHEIs)/Maritime Training Institutions (MTIs), shipping operators, shipyards, and other maritime stakeholders.

Felisa Orongan, Marina Regional Office 6 regional director and MarTI training director said, "Through our collective efforts, we were able to see this day and celebrate the joy of a dream coming true."

The establishment of the Maritime Innovation and Knowledge Center is part of the 10-Year Maritime Industry Development Plan to ensure that Marina personnel are capacitated by providing them with the best available training possible.

Empedrad emphasized that all the Marina personnel must be trained first before they can provide good and excellent training to the maritime professionals, the crew of ships, the shipbuilding and the whole maritime industry of the Philippines.

"I always believe that the development of the maritime industry will catapult our country to become an economic powerhouse. We must prioritize the maritime industry development because we are an archipelagic nation. We have so many islands that are not connected. Our hope is in maritime," he said.