Threat to Filipino seafarers’ jobs a lesson, industry wide reforms needed, says lawmaker
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MANILA, Philippines — Following the European Union’s (EU) decision to extend its recognition of Filipino seafarers, Sen. Risa Hontiveros on Saturday said that she hopes that the threat of withdrawal will serve as a lesson that will help spur reforms and fix systemic issues in the industry.
Hontiveros said the EU found gaps in the education system, which she said the Commission on Higher Education and the Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) must address.
READ: No ban: EU to continue recognizing PH seafarers’ certificates
“Let us continue to push for industry-wide reforms. There should be something learned from the threat of our seafarers’ livelihood. Hence, it is imperative that concerns voiced by seafarers themselves, such as unreasonable fees, corruption in training and maritime schools, requirements, and others, be given greater consideration,” Hontiveros said in English and Filipino.
Hontiveros said she will continue to forward the passage of the Magna Carta of Seafarers, which aims to protect the well-being of Filipino seafarers.
READ: House assures passage of Magna Carta for Seafarers
“Thanks to the collaboration of the inter-agency task force, our mariners are somewhat ensured. I am also hopeful that serious reforms are being put in place,” she said.
The Presidential Communications Office (PCO) also released a statement recognizing the crisis that was averted.
According to the PCO, EU Transport Director-General Henrik Hololei told Marina administrator Hernani Fabia that the Union has assessed the actions taken by the Philippine government following its earlier warning.
“Based on the answers of the Republic of the Philippines and on all available information, the Commission has concluded that the measures taken demonstrate concrete progress and improvement as regards the compliance with the requirements of the [Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers] Convention,” Hololei said in the letter.
Department of Migrant Workers Secretary Susan Ople had welcomed the decision, saying that the jobs of 50,000 seafarers were saved.
“We look forward to the start of technical cooperation between the Philippines and EC in professionalizing and further improving the skills of Filipino seafarers,” Ople said in the PCO’s statement.
Sen. Joel Villanueva has also said the extension was good news for the Filipino mariners.
“We have been issuing a warning about the matter since we were first given notice and we thank the [Marina] for heeding our call and for their serious efforts in ensuring that we are compliant with the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers. We trust that the country’s maritime authorities will continue to enhance efforts to improve our compliance with the STCW Convention,” Villanueva said in a statement.
