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MARINA swears in 41 new harbor pilots
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Foreign and domestic ships are mandated to seek the services of harbor pilots when docking and undocking at Philippine ports.
The Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) swore in 41 newly minted harbor pilots who passed MARINA’s harbor pilot licensure examination conducted separately in March, September, and December this year.
The new harbor pilots are: Derrick S. Aballe, Alexis N. Abarado, Edwin O. Acosta, Arturo G. Aguirre, Ulysses G. Alcantara, Nazareno D. Amo, Melvin B. Arillaga, Emerson B. Baguio, Arcturus D. Bernadas, Raul B. Bialen, Alexander A. Bitoy, Judy M. Bordios, Jackson R. Cabili, Gary Joseph S. Campos, Sernuel T. Capangpangan, Dexur G. Carcallas, Aldrin S. Casiano, Orael C. Cosina, Danilo M. Damasing, Tirso O. Deterala, Nestor Dioneda, Jovito M. Espiritu, Loreto R. Flores, Candelario I. Garrote, Elmer A. Ilagan, Jessie C. Juanico, Aldrin B. Jucom, Arnold B. Labadan, Arturo R. Laurente, Allan E. Lim, Leonardo B. Mella, Michael B. Merin, Rommel R. Oidem, Jonathan P. Osabel, Felibert P. Pallega, Marconi P. Teodisio, Almond J. Terazona, David G. Timario, Khen M. Tormentar, Zaldy P. Yaneza, and Rommel M. Zamora.
MARINA administrator Robert Empedrad during the recent oath-taking noted the high demand for harbor pilots as the country modernizes and embarks on building ports and nautical highways. He expressed hope the harbor pilots would work together to keep Philippine piers safe.
“We encourage foreign ships to come here and compete with our domestic ships, he said.
Citing several maritime accidents that happened earlier this year, Empedrad emphasized that harbor pilots should focus on their main objective of ensuring maritime safety and the protection of the marine environment.
Pursuant to Executive Order No. 125/125-A, MARINA is mandated to undertake the licensing of harbor pilots in the country.
A candidate for the harbor pilot licensure examinations should be at least 35 years of age at the time of the examination; mentally and physically fit; master-in-command of a merchant ship or a Philippine Coast Guard or National Mapping and Resource Information Authority vessel, and other non-combatant ship of more than 500 gross tonnage of not less than five years; of good moral character; and not included in the database of watchlisted seafarers.
While MARINA administers the examination, its sister agency Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) provides the number of harbor pilots that can serve a specific area.
PPA also monitors the performance of harbor pilots and their compliance with documentary and other requirements, as well as their compliance with required reports as provided under PPA Administrative Order (AO) 93-85. The AO sets forth the rules and regulations governing pilotage services, the conduct of pilots, and pilotage fees at Philippine ports.
