Press Release
July 2, 2009

ENRILE PROMOTES SEAFARERS' WELFARE, PROTECTION

Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile cited yesterday the urgent need for Congress to pass measures that would promote the welfare as well as provide more ample protection to Filipino seafarers, whom he hailed as among the very best in the world, if not the very best.

Speaking before the graduates of the Maritime Academy of Asia and the Pacific (MAAP) at Kamaya Point, Alas-asin, Mariveles, Bataan, Enrile stressed that hand-in-hand with pro-seafarer initiatives, the government must also promote and revitalize the domestic shipping industry so that Filipino seafarers will also "have equally rewarding employment opportunities within our very shores."

Giving tribute to Filipino maritime workers, Enrile noted that over the years, "the Philippines has been considered as the number one manning nation in the world, with about 25% Filipinos manning tankers, passenger maritime vessels or luxury liners of every flag in the world fleet."

He said, "It is evident that, despite the global economic crisis and the increasing competition from other labor-producing countries, there is still a huge demand for Filipino seafarers.

"However, a seafarer's life is not a picnic or a walk in the park. It has been said, time and again, that a seafarer has one foot in the ship and the other foot in the grave because of the dangers and risks that they face every day in their workplace.

"The risks to their health and security are numerous plenty and cannot be adequately compensated by the income that they earn. I am saddened by the plight of seafarers who are working in hazardous conditions and are being exploited by their employers, and duped by their recruiters."

He also noted that in a highly competitive field, the foreign shipowners' substantial contribution to the training of Filipino seafarers through the MAAP is a testament to the value and competence of our seafarers. "It also affirms their faith in the Filipino seafarers' dedication, work ethic, and capability to man their ships and handle all tasks that will be assigned to them aboard the ships."

He also commended the officers and members of the Associated Marine Officers and Seaman's Union of the Philippines (AMOSUP), led by Capt. Gregorio Oca, and the MAAP leadership, headed by Vice Admiral Eduardo Ma. R. Santos, AFP (RET), for making MAAP academy a Cradle of Destiny for these young men and women.

"Today's occasion serves as an affirmation of MAAP's commitment and ability to meet such growing demand for Filipino seafarers. Indeed, this Academy promotes no less than excellence in maritime education and training, and is committed to the continuing employment of highly competent deck officers and marine engineers who shall represent the best in seafaring all over the world," Enrile declared.

"Today, we salute our dear seafarers - Filipinos who have built a respectable reputation in the maritime industry, whose steps our young graduates today will soon follow. We salute their remarkable patience and good disposition even in the midst of loneliness and isolation from their families," Enrile said.

"We commend their matchless courage to confront all the hazards and risks at their place of work and their determination to deliver the best results in all the tasks that are assigned to them. Most importantly, we would like to thank our seafarers for their contribution to the economy through their regular remittances."

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