Marcos renews pledge to develop seafarers’ sector
MANILA (2nd UPDATE) — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Saturday said the government will continue to support the improvement of the seafarers’ sector as the country joins other nations in celebrating the “Day of the Seafarer.”
The Day of the Seafarer this year, which will be celebrated on June 25, is meant to “recognize the unique contribution made by seafarers… to international seaborne trade, the world economy and civil society,” according to the International Maritime Organization.
“Ang industriyang ito ay kailangang suportahan at protektahan upang mapanatili ang kalidad ng pagkilala sa buong mundo,” the President said on his YouTube vlog.
“Wala akong duda sa kakayanan ng ating mga seafarers Suportahan natin ang ating mga sea-based OFWs na tinatawag,” he said.
“Ang bagong Pilipino nakikipagsabayan sa pandaigdigang entablado,” he added.
In another video on Sunday, Marcos also acknowledged Filipinos’ centuries-long tradition of seafaring “sustain their livelihood and forge economic relations with people from other towns and countries.”
“The courage and resilience that you demonstrate despite the challenges that come your way show that the centuries-long tradition of Filipino seafaring remains strong and still drives each and every one of you today,” the President said.
“Over the centuries, our seafarers have explored far horizons to provide food, produce energy and build the foundation of our nation’s progress,” he added.
“Let this moment be a time of celebration for you all and may it provide a continuing inspiration for you to sustain our excellence and leadership in this important sector,” Marcos also said.
The European Union (EU) earlier warned that it would stop honoring seafarer certifications from the Philippines as the country has yet to comply with more modern training systems and requirements for seaborne workers.
In March, the EU said it would continue to recognize the certification of seafarers in the Philippines after seeing that the Philippines has made “serious” developments to comply with maritime labor requirements.
Migrant Workers Secretary Susan Ople earlier claimed that President Marcos Jr.’s dialogue with the European Commission in Brussels in 2022 was instrumental in convincing the panel not to decertify the some 50,000 seafarers from the Philippines.
“Ang ating mga mahuhusay na seamen na talaga namang hinahanap at pinag-aagawan sa buong mundo mapa-cruise line man, o shipping line, oil tanker o kung ano man, ang husay ng Pilipinong seafarer ay katangi-tangi,” the President said.
“Sa paggunita ng mga okasyong ito, tandaan natin na mas makabagong pag-iisip at mas aktibong pakikibahagi sa mga kampaniyang ito ang siyang magdadala sa atin sa isang bagong Pilipinas,” he said.
Meanwhile, Malacañang said Sunday that seafarers would enjoy free rides in Metro Manila’s 3 main rail services in celebration of Seafarers’ Day.
Source: Marcos renews pledge to develop seafarers’ sector | ABS-CBN News