The President appointed two senior maritime officials under the Department of Transportation to lead the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and the Maritime Industry Administration (MARINA) in October and December last year. The new Commandant of the Philippine Coast Guard is Admiral
Ronnie Gil L. Gavan PCG who assumed after the retirement of Admiral Artemio Abu in October. He was Deputy Commandant prior to his new designation. Admiral Gavan holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the Philippine Military Academy and a Master of Maritime Studies degree from the University of Wollongong (Australia). A professional coast guard officer, Admiral Gavan commanded both shipboard and shore-based units nationwide and served several PCG staff positions.
One of his notable initiatives was organizing the PCG’s “Angels of the Sea” teams, consisting of all-female radio operators who complement the crew members of PCG seagoing forces deployed in the West Philippine Sea. These radio operators verbally communicate with ships of other nationalities sighted or monitored in WPS. Their creation was not only to address gender discrimination but to “evoke Asian matriarchal sentiments” and ease tensions at the tactical level by “embodying a sense of stability and calm” in the disputed maritime area.
On the other hand, MARINA’s new Administrator is Ms. Sonia Bautista Malaluan, a career MARINA official and former Deputy Administrator. She took over from Atty. Hernani Fabia who resigned in December 2023. She earned a bachelor’s degree in Commerce from Western Philippines College and two master’s degrees in Shipping Management and Public Administration from the World Maritime University in Malmö, Sweden and the National University of Singapore’s Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy. She is also a certified public accountant.
Being a career official, Ms. Malaluan served as Director, MARINA National Capital Region and became the country’s maritime attaché in London, England. She was the prime mover in crafting the Agency’s Road Map, the Philippine Ten-Year Maritime Industry Development Plan.
During the January 6, 2024 courtesy call of The Maritime League top officials, led by Vice Admiral Eduardo Mario Santos AFP (Ret), Administrator Malaluan mentioned her priorities to improve the Agency’s efficiency and effectiveness by closely coordinating with other maritime agencies, enhancing digitalization, reviewing and revising policies and procedures, and pursuing important legislative agenda. She was subsequently inducted as Honorary Member of The Maritime League by Admiral Santos with her Chief of Staff, Engr. Ramon Hernandez, and The Maritime League’s senior officials in attendance.