The Institute for Maritime and Ocean Affairs, Inc. (“IMOA”) is a private, non-stock, non-profit corporation organized to conduct research, studies and fora on maritime and ocean affairs of the Republic of the Philippines, and publish and disseminate the results of such research, studies and fora through various media, including the hosting of a website for this purpose, for general information, advocacy and educational purposes; to engage the public and encourage participation in discussions regarding maritime and ocean concerns to provide valuable resource and feedback to policy makers, lawmakers, scientists, academicians, researchers and other interested parties.

The IMOA website (www.imoa.ph) aims to reach and engage the public, and encourage wider participation in the shaping of public opinion, national policy and strategy. 

Email: contactimoa@imoa.ph

Board of Trustees and Founding Members

Elma Christine R. Leogardo
Atty. Leogardo, a corporate and maritime lawyer and former President of the Maritime Law Association of the Philippines, is a founding member and the current President of IMOA. She chairs the Cartographic Exhibit Committee of IMOA.

Carlos L. Agustin (✝)
Commodore Agustin, a retired commodore of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, is Chairman of the Maritime League and the Maritime Forum. He is a founding member of IMOA.

Iris V. Baguilat
Atty. Baguilat, a maritime industry expert, is the former President of the Maritime Law Association of the Philippines. She is a founding member of IMOA and a current Trustee.

Arturo T. Del Rosario, Jr.
Atty. Del Rosario, a maritime and intellectual property lawyer and former President of the Maritime Law Association of the Philippines, is a founding partner of a leading maritime law firm in the Philippines. He was a former Trustee & Chairman of IMOA.

Emmanuel S. Buenaventura
Atty. Buenaventura, a litigation, arbitration and maritime lawyer and former President of the Maritime Law Association of the Philippines, is the Deputy General Counsel of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines. He is a founding member of IMOA.

Rodel A. Cruz
Atty. Cruz, a litigation lawyer and former Undersecretary of the Department of National Defense of the Philippines, is a senior partner in a Philippine law firm and a founding member of IMOA.

Julius A. Yano
Atty. Yano is a maritime law expert with experience teaching and studying international maritime law in Europe. He practices both the law of the sea and shipping law and currently serves as the Assistant Secretary for Maritime at the Department of Transportation.

II Samuel R. Galope
Mr. Galope, a Free and Open Source Software (FOSS) advocate and practitioner,
is a senior information officer in the government sector. He chairs the Information Technology Committee of IMOA.