Bangsamoro Government Partners with Maritime, LRA
Contributed Photo
COTABATO CITY — Collaboration between the Bangsamoro government and the central offices of the Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) is set to ensure the seamless operation of both marine and land transportation within the autonomous region.
Regional officials announced on Thursday that despite the full devolution of functions and powers of Marina and LTFRB to the Bangsamoro region, the Ministry of Transportation and Communications (MOTC) will maintain its connections with the national officials of these agencies. This partnership aims to ensure effective regulatory enforcement across all cities and provinces within the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
In June, the MOTC, along with regional and national officials of Marina, established a sea route linking Cotabato City via the Polloc Port in Maguindanao del Norte to Lamitan City in Basilan.
Regional officials stressed that the devolution of Marina’s functions to BARMM does not sever the existing connectivity with its central office. According to Tago, this cooperation is vital to maintaining the harmonious operation of transportation services.
In separate meetings held in Metro Manila this week, Tago, Marina Administrator Hernani Fabia, and LTFRB Chairman Teofilo Guadiz III reaffirmed their commitment to sustaining the collaboration between their respective offices.
During these meetings, Tago presented tokens symbolizing Moro’s identity to Fabia and Guadiz as gestures of goodwill.
Abubakar Katambak, the Bangsamoro Marina Director, along with subordinate division chiefs Alonto Sahiron and Albaya Pascua, joined Tago in these discussions.
Katambak, a practicing lawyer, disclosed plans to assess the feasibility of establishing additional sea routes connecting Cotabato City to Sulu and Tawi-Tawi.
The ongoing cooperation and communication between these government bodies reflect a concerted effort to enhance transportation connectivity and regulatory efficiency within the region under the Bangsamoro government.
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