MARINA Strengthens Policies on Maritime Tourism

Wazzup Pilipinas!

As envisioned in the 10-year maritime industry development plan (MIDP), the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) has strengthened policies on maritime tourism by issuing rules and regulations on the registration, licensing, and operation of recreational boats for commercial or private use within the Philippine territorial waters.

Per Memorandum Circular Number DS-2019-01, MARINA has defined recreational boats as vessels of up to 150.9 feet / 46 meters or less, with a capacity of up to 10 tons of cargo, used exclusively for recreational or tourism development purposes, either commercially or privately.

Recreational boats to be registered may be locally-built or imported new vessels. Previously registered boats under MARINA, as well as previously unregistered boats existing in the country under Amnesty rules are also welcomed.

Filipino citizens and/or domestic partnerships, associations, or corporations are allowed to register recreational boats for commercial or private use. Recreational boats registered under a foreign national and/or foreign-owned domestic company or corporation shall only be used privately.

On the completion of the registration of a recreational boat, MARINA shall grant a Certificate of Ownership and the Recreational Boat Certificate valid for five (5) years and must be renewed before its expiration.

Furthermore, MARINA shall keep and maintain a Registry of Recreational Boat to record essential information including: the name of the recreational boats, its homeports and official numbers, the name of the builders with the place and year built, as well as vessel specifications, among others.

However, a recreational boat may be deleted from the Registry of Recreational Boat if the vessel is sold for export; when MARINA revokes the approval of the charter / lease contract for a cause and after due process; when the vessel suffers actual or constructive loss; when it undergoes shipbreaking o shiprecycling; upon the request of the registered owner; when the Administration orders the deletion from the registry due to violations of government rules and regulations; and when the Recreational Boat Certificate is not renewed after expiration.

For the complete list of documentary requirements and other details about the rules and regulations on the registration, licensing, and operation of recreational boats, the public is encouraged to read the full memorandum circular at: http://marina.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/MC-DS-2019-01.pdf

MRSGI Celebrates CSR Month with the Metro Community Bazaar

Wazzup Pilipinas!

As part of its celebration of the National Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Week, Metro Retail Stores Group Inc. (MRSGI), will be mounting the “Metro Community Bazaar” featuring its various CSR partners in making a positive difference in communities where they operate. This project is done in cooperation with Vicsal Foundation, Inc., the non-stock, non-profit private domestic corporation that champions the CSR initiatives of the Vicsal Group of Companies, which incorporates MRSGI.

The Metro Community Bazaar will be held on July 1 to 8, 2019 at Metro Supermarket in Market! Market! Taguig; and on July 1 to 31, 2019 at Metro Supermarket Alabang, Muntinlupa; and Mandaue, Cebu. CSR Partner exhibitors include Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, Caritas Margins, Caritas Segunda Mana, Coca-Cola Philippines, GreenEarth Foundation, Inc., Habitat for Humanity Philippines, Philippine Red Cross, and St. Arnold Janssen Kalinga Center.

MRSGI has been supporting these organizations and programs to be able to reach out and help uplift individuals and communities in need – a value that is ingrained in MRSGI's corporate culture, taken to heart by its top management and employees.

According to MRSGI Chairman and CEO, Frank Gaisano, "There are plenty of opportunities for us to provide service and extend a helping hand to underprivileged Filipinos. Beyond merely sharing our blessings, we see this as our responsibility as an institution and as a member of the society. Through the Metro Community Bazaar, we are helping our partners become more accessible to the public and we are also making it easy for our shoppers to help out.”

Everyone is invited to visit the Metro Community Bazaar where they can find great discoveries such as delicious eats, farmers’ produce, healthy drinks, fashion pieces, trendy trinkets and accessories, home ware and decor, and religious items. Every purchase is a show of support for the causes and communities that the exhibitors advocate. Shoppers will also get to know the latest CSR activities and projects of MRSGI’s partners.

PHL Set to Compete in the World’s Toughest Math Contest

Wazzup Pilipinas!

After going through a series of competitions and intensive training, six high school students were chosen to represent the country in the 60th International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO) from July 11-22, 2019 in Bath, United Kingdom.

1. Immanuel Josiah A. Balete (St. Stephen’s High School)

2. Vincent U. Dela Cruz (Valenzuela City School of Mathematics and Science)

3. Andres Rico M. Gonzales III (De La Salle University Integrated School)

4. Dion Stephan J. Ong (Ateneo de Manila Senior High School)

5. Bryce Ainsley A. Sanchez (Grace Christian College)

6. Sean Anderson L. Ty (Zamboanga Chong Hua High School)


Team Leader Dr. Richard B. Eden and Deputy Leader Dr. Christian Paul O. Chan Shio, both of Ateneo de Manila University, and Observer Mr. Russelle H. Guadalupe of the University of the Philippines – Diliman will guide the students in the competition.

The IMO, held annually in a different country, is dubbed as the most prestigious and most difficult high school mathematics competition in the world. This year, it will see 636 students from 113 countries.

The national team was selected at the end ofthe Mathematical Olympiad Summer Camp (MOSC), a rigorous training program led by the Mathematical Society of the Philippines (MSP) from February to May 2019. Invited to the program were the National Finalists of the 21st Philippine Mathematical Olympiad (PMO).

Sanchez, Ty, and Dela Cruz placed first, second, and third respectively in the National Stage of the 21st PMO held last January 2019, while Gonzales and Ty each won an Honorable Mention Award in the 59th IMO.

Last year, the Philippines won a gold medal, a silver medal, two bronze medals, and two honorable mentions, and ranked 38th in the Competition participated by 107 countries.

In a message at the team’s send-off program last June 29, 2019, Department of Science and Technology - Science Education Institute (DOST-SEI) Director Josette Biyo thanked the team and everyone else who has been instrumental in their training and participation.

“We wish you all the best in the upcoming weeks. Already, you are winners in the eyes of our people,” Dr. Biyo said.

While the prospect of winning gold for the country is the team’s ultimate goal in joining the IMO, “being part of the 2019 IMO team is already its own reward,” said Dion Stephan Ong.

“The IMO has been my source of fun and leisure throughout my high school life. While I may have been different from my peers in school, the IMO has taught me lessons that I would not have learned elsewhere, and I do not regret spending four years of my high school life preparing for it,” Sean Anderson Ty said.

The country's participation in the IMO is a project of MSP and DOST-SEI, with support from major sponsors Hyundai Asia Resources Inc. (HARI) Foundation and Manulife Business Processing Services. (30)

Photo captions

1. PADAYON, PHILIPPINE IMO TEAM! (L-R) Immanuel Josiah A. Balete (St. Stephen’s High School), Bryce Ainsley A. Sanchez (Grace Christian College), Andres Rico M. Gonzales III (De La Salle University Integrated School), Dion Stephan J. Ong (Ateneo de Manila Senior High School), Vincent U. Dela Cruz (Valenzuela City School of Mathematics and Science), and Sean Anderson L. Ty (Zamboanga Chong Hua High School) will represent the country in the prestigious International Mathematical Olympiad from July 11-22, 2019 in Bath, United Kingdom.

2. The IMO Philippine Team is bent on showcasing the best of Filipino mathematical abilities

in what is regarded as the grandest stage in mathematics. Photo courtesy of the Mathematical Society of the Philippines (MSP) / Go for Gold: Philippine IMO Team Facebook page.