Manila — President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has designated Sonia Malaluan as the newly appointed administrator of the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA), according to an announcement from Malacañang on Friday.
Communications Secretary Cheloy Garafil stated that Malaluan, a seasoned MARINA official, takes over from Hernani Fabia, who recently resigned from the position of agency administrator.
Garafil highlighted that before assuming the role of MARINA chief, Malaluan served as the agency’s Deputy Administrator for Planning, a position she assumed on November 23 of the preceding year.
“In appointing Malaluan, President Marcos acknowledged her notable training and experience in economics, technology, finance, law, management, public utility, and various aspects of the maritime industry,” Garafil stated.
Malaluan boasts an extensive career, having held the position of Director II from May 2014 to November 2022, Maritime Attaché to London in 2018, Chief Accountant from December 2001 to April 2014, and Chief Transportation Development Officer from February to December 2001.
A certified public accountant, Malaluan earned her Bachelor of Science in Commerce degree from Western Philippine College in 1987 and a Master’s degree in Science in Shipping Management from the World Maritime University, Sweden, in 1998. She further pursued her Master’s degree in Public Administration from Singapore’s National University, Lee Kwan Yew School of Public Policy, completing it in 2011.
MARINA, an agency under the Department of Transportation, is mandated to implement a practical and coordinated Maritime Industry Development Program. Additionally, it is tasked with ensuring effective supervision, regulation, and rationalization of the organizational management, ownership, and operations of all water transport utilities and other maritime enterprises.
(AI/MNM)