The Bangsamoro Maritime Industry Authority (BMARINA), in collaboration with the Ministry of Transportation and Communications Legal and Legislative Liaison Services, conducted a Maritime Operations Rules of Procedure Stakeholder’s Conference Cum Anti-Colorum Campaign to its stakeholders and partners to leverage their expertise, views, and opinions, comments, and suggestions to help shape the appropriateness of the context of the Draft Rules of Procedure (ROP) held at Rachel’s Place Hotel and Restaurant in Bongao, Tawi-Tawi. on December 13, 2022.
BMARINA is one of the seven sectoral offices under the umbrella of the Ministry of Transportation and Communications devolved through Republic Act 11054 or known as the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL). Under the provisions of Section 38, Article XIII of Republic Act No. 11054 vested to the Bangsamoro Government the authority to grant regional franchises, licenses, and permits to land, sea and air transportation plying routes in the provinces or cities within the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region and Republic Act No. 11054 also vested to the Bangsamoro Government the authority to exercise quasi-judicial powers over the operation of land and water transportation in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region per the rules of procedure established by the Parliament.
From this, the office aimed to set forth the Rules of Procedures of the BMARINA concerning its quasi-judicial functions. Crafting the ROP is essential to have beneficial operational policies responsive to the needs of its stakeholders.
The two-day program dealt with the consultation on the drafted Rules of Procedures of the BMARINA and another day for a separate information dissemination session with other stakeholders on the law enforcement activities about water transportation to ensure seaworthiness of the vessels in the BARMM.
This collaborative effort is an avenue to strengthen linkages and partnerships to ensure maritime services for fast, efficient, safe, and reliable water transportation are effectively delivered.