The Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) concluded Thursday its three-day seminar-workshop on Basic Marine Cartography and (Geographical Information System) GIS Course at the Garden Plaza Hotel in Manila.

The workshop was conducted in partnership with Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and National Mapping Resource Information Authority (NAMRIA).

It was aimed to level up the capability of MARINA personnel, both in the central and regional offices, to address issues of safety and prevention of maritime accidents through a comprehensive and up to date information and data access and dissemination.

Marina Administrator Emerson M. Lorenzo said he had been advocating for the use of the GIS since he was a director of MARINA and now that he is the administrator, he has the opportunity to implement this innovative approach. Deputy Administrator for Planning Atty. Nicasio A. Conti said this was a crucial big step in the right direction and is long over-due since other countries have been using this system already.

JICA Philippines Office Project Advisor Kazushi Susuki welcomed the program and committed to continue its cooperation with MARINA. JICA plays an active role in the development and delivery of technical assistance programs extended to MARINA.

NAMRIA Hydrography Department Director Commodore Romeo I. Ho underscored the importance of the activity and NAMRIA’s participation in terms of sharing expertise in basic cartography, nautical charting, electronic navigational chart, global positioning system and introduction to GIS software.

Earlier, Administrator Lorenzo said that one of his policy directions is to have all the data on shipping to be readily available on the MARINA website.

In addition to this, the categorization of the country’s navigational chart is also in his bucket list to prevent maritime accidents and promote a safer and cleaner marine environment.

MARINA as the Flag State Administration is the agency primarily responsible for maritime safety in the Philippines.