Maritime
MARINA top officials ready
to turnover command
O
nce President-elect Rodrigo
Duterte designates his
replacement, Dr. Maximo Mejia
Jr. and others will be more than
ready to turn-over their posts in
the Maritime Industry Authority
(MARINA).
Dr. Mejia, who has joined MARINA three
years ago, is expected to return to his
long-time post as member of the faculty in
the World Maritime University in Malmo,
Sweden. Mejia had already instructed the
whole MARINA staff on the need to submit
their performance report to the Civil Service
Commission. He expects to receive notice
of turn-over between now up to June 30th,
which is the formal turnover of all appointive
positions in Government. Mejia in fact had
thanked everyone during his early Monday
morning ritual for what he called "exemplary
work and support" during his term accented
by candid smiles.
While Mejia has no idea who will come
next to him, some reliable sources are saying
the new regime may resort to naming former
military or former Navy or Coast Guard
officials to the post as in the past. While
they (with military experience) may have
operational expertise, they claimed they are
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not keen on managing seafarers and the
complex maritime sectors now like overseas
and domestic shipping, shipbuilding, STCW
certification and licensing, and others that
are inherently maritime-oriented. They also
fear that past mistakes may be revisited
if "favoritism and factionalism" would
reigned over appointments, promotions
and management of critical service or call
of duty within the agency.
But with Atty. Arthur Tugade as the
secretary to the DOTC, others are optimistic
that a new breed of public officials
might be able to come in if the names of
professionals within the circle of advisers of
the new president.
Among those who will be likely replaced,
promoted or retained depending on the
decision of the new Administration aside
from Dr. Mejia are: Deputy Administrator
Atty. Jabeth Dacanay; Deputy Administrator
for Regional Concerns C/Engr. Alfredo
Haboc; STCW Executive Director Capt.
Herminio Estaniel; and newly-designate
Deputy Administrator for Planning Atty.
Basruddin Adil, and Deputy Admin for
operations Atty. Gloria Banas, who had
went back and forth to MARINA and
Philippine Ports Authority.