Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon has urged officials of the Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) to develop innovative ways to make life easier for Filipino seafarers, reducing hassle and stress in their profession.

“We must think outside the box to make life easier for our modern-day heroes — our seafarers. If we need to remove or cut unnecessary procedures, do it. At the same time, we must prioritize passenger safety by ensuring vessels have proper insurance coverage,” Dizon said during his meeting with Marina Administrator Sonia Malaluan and other officials on Tuesday at the Marina office in Port Area, Manila.

Dizon emphasized President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s commitment to improving seafarers’ welfare by streamlining the processing of their documents.

“These are the President’s priorities for the maritime sector. We will fully support Marina in implementing such reforms,” he added.

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) chief also reaffirmed the agency’s full support for Marina, particularly in advancing reforms that benefit Filipino seafarers and enhance passenger safety in the maritime sector.

Recognizing Marina’s critical role in maritime safety, Dizon underscored the need for stricter measures to protect passengers. He also highlighted the importance of requiring vessels to have third-party insurance coverage for cargo and ship protection in case of maritime incidents.

Administrator Malaluan expressed gratitude for Dizon’s recognition of the agency’s complex functions and his commitment to supporting its initiatives. She reaffirmed Marina's shared goal of prioritizing seafarers' welfare and passenger safety.

Meanwhile, Dizon and Philippine Ports Authority General Manager Atty. Jay Daniel Santiago inspected the Eva Macapagal Cruise Terminal to assess necessary improvements that would benefit voyagers, especially during the summer season.