TIM eMagazine Vol.4 Issue 1
ANGKLA Rep bats for more sector
‘openness’ in hiring seafarers
S
hip owners and maritime industry stakeholders
alike have extolled nothing but praises for the
hard work, dedication, commitment, passion,
proficiency in the English language and the
adaptability to innovative trends and techniques
of our hardworking men and women who sail the
seas of trade, commerce and leisure.
But beneath all those rosy compliments, there are other
things that have to be done to make our seafaring sector
much more open to global standards. This is also where
ANGKLA partylist Rep Cong. Jess Manalo has very strong food
“Much as the potentials for growth in our maritime sector as well as the enhancement
of the competitiveness of our seafarers remain excellent, there is that need to open
up the sector based on global standards, with less government restrictions, less
government control and more emphasis on qualifications,” he stressed during a recent
interview.
for thought that can be an eye opener for our own sector.
“Much as the potentials for growth in our maritime sector
as well as the enhancement of the competitiveness of our
seafarers remain excellent, there is that need to open up
the sector based on global standards, with less government
restrictions, less government control and more emphasis on
qualifications,” he stressed during a recent interview.
He noted how, in other countries, seafarers are hired
directly by ship owners and manning agencies, which is very
streamlined. The scenario is entirely different in the Philippines
which involves the tedious, red-tape meddling of the OWWA
(Overseas Workers and Welfare Administration) and POEA
(Philippine Overseas Employees Authority)—IN ADDITION
TO the ship owners and manning agencies themselves. The
result? Too much time and effort wasted when in reality the
more simplified of processes can be done, in compliance with
standards of the changing times.
Cong. Manalo added that with 59 protocols issued by
the IMO, only 29 of these have been complied with by
the Philippines, furthering the need to designate the first
Philippine Ambassador to IMO that can advocate for full
compliance of these protocols. The amount needed for this is
P87 million.
“The government at this point must look at international
standards based on the IMO (International Maritime
Organization) and adopt them locally. And we must comply
with these laws in terms of education, promotion and safety,”
he pointed out. “It is high time for more local laws to be created
and disseminated to make the country aware of what these
laws and standards are all about.”
http://angklapartylist.org/
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