On behalf of Governor Arthur Defensor, Jr., Provincial Administrator Raul Banias, together with the heads of the Provincial Agriculture Office, Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, Provincial Government Environment and Natural Resources Office, and Provincial Planning and Development Office, welcomed the key officials of the Presidential Office for Maritime Concerns (POMC).
The delegation from POMC briefed provincial officials on the functions and mandates of their office, which serves as the secretariat of the National Maritime Council (NMC). The NMC is the central body responsible for formulating unified policies and strategies on maritime security, domain awareness, and governance.
During the meeting, POMC officials gathered relevant information from Iloilo Province, particularly on coastal resource management, disaster preparedness, and local maritime activities.
The visit of POMC officials underscores the integration of local governance with national maritime security frameworks, ensuring that Iloilo’s coastal and agricultural communities benefit from strengthened maritime policies, disaster risk reduction, and sustainable resource management.