Sonia Malaluan receives a warm welcome as MARINA OIC-Admin. Image from DOTr Facebook
MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Transportation (DOTr) has named a top senior Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) official as its officer-in-charge and administrator.
Marina announced that Sonia Malaluan was designated on July 1 as the bureau’s new officer-in-charge.
Malaluan is expected to serve until July 31, or “until a replacement has been appointed or designated, whichever comes first,” Marina said in a statement.
Before the designation, Marina said Malaluan had already worked for the bureau for 32 years. She served as Officer-in-charge Deputy Administrator for Planning, Director of Marina Regional Office – National Capital Region, and a Maritime Attache in London.
Malaluan also played a part in several organizational changes in Marina: the development and issuance of related implementing policies, rules, and regulations; and the crafting of the Marina roadmap for developing the country’s domestic shipping industry.
Marina also said that Malaluan had been an advocate for women’s empowerment and equality. She served as a President WIMAPhil Marina sub-chapter and the agency’s Focal Point on Gender and Development.
Malaluan is a member of the Women in Maritime Association – Philippines and the Governing Council of the Women in Maritime – Asia.
Malaluan holds a degree in Commerce with a major in Accounting from the University of Batangas and a master’s degree in Shipping Management from the World Maritime University in Sweden. – Nicole Faye Agcaoili, INQUIRER.net intern