19th National Seafarers’ Day

Filipino seafarers are the living saints – they travel the high seas with a vocation and purpose. These were the words of Cubao Bishop Honesto Ongtioko during the high mass last Sunday, September 28, 2014,   at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium  in celebration of the  19th National Seafarers’ Day (NSD). This year’s theme is “Marinong Pilipino: Haligi ng Pagbabago”.

Bishop Ongtioko compared Filipino Seafarers to two Filipino saints – San Lorenzo Ruiz and San Pedro Calungsod. With faith as a weapon, the saints and he Filipino seafarers  sailed with a mission – to be the soldier of change not only in the Philippines but also to the whole world.

“Treasure your faith wherever you are. Translate your faith into actions – be the pillars of love of god,” he said. “Kung walang haligi, babagsak ang bahay. Marami mamamatay. Bawat isa ay may mission sa pagbuo ng matibay  na simbahan.”

Seafarers and their families  participated in the nationwide activities for the 19th National Seafarers which included the Memorial at Sea, High Mass, Grand Parade, Oratorical/ Art/ Photo Contest, Karaoke challenge,

The Grand Parade from Rajah Sulayman park in Malate to Ninoy Aquino Stadium  was participated in by more than 4000 stakeholders from maritime schools, government agencies, manning agencies, training centers, maritime organizations, unions, families and private institutions.

The high mass was celebrated by  Cubao Bishop Honesto Ongsioko while Vice-President Jejomar Binay was the keynote speaker.

Another highlight is the awarding of the winners in the different NSD contests including the Ten Outstanding Maritime Students of the Philippines (TOMSP): Elijah Jose C. Barrios (John B. Lacson Foundation Maritime University (Arevalo) Inc.) Boy George R. Benavente, John B.Lacson Colleges Foundation-Bacolod Inc; Niño C. Copones ( Mariner’s Polytechnic Colleges Foundation-Canaman Campus); Shiela May M. Diaz  (Maritime Academy of Asia and the Pacific CGSO Campus);  Emmanuel D. Dotillos Jr. (University of Cebu LapuLapu and Mandaue); Christian John B. Fajarito ( Manuel S. Enverga University Foundation Inc.); Frank Stevens O. Mendoza (Asian Institute of Maritime Studies); Roger Roland S. Roullo (Philippine Merchant Marine Academy); Joseph Ryan S. Sanchez (DMMA College of Southern Philippines); and John Lawrence G. Tabanao (Maritime Academy of Asia and the Pacific CGSO Campus).

SVBB actively participated in the nationwide activities. Atty. Neptali L. Bulilan is one of the judges in the oratorical contest, Atty. Augusto R. Bundang is one of the reader during the mass, and Atty. Dennis R. Gorecho is one of the judges of the Ten Outstanding Maritime Students and head of the NSD parade commitee.

Former president Fidel V. Ramos earlier issued on July 9, 1996 Proclamation No. 828 declaring August 18 as National Seafarers’ Day (NSD) wherein  the Apostleship of the Sea (AOS) was tasked to coordinate with the public and private sector in   activities related to the celebration of said event. The purpose of the Proclamation is to give due recognition to the vital role of Filipino seafarers towards the development of the Philippines as a maritime country. Later,  Proclamation No.1094 was issued in 1997 by President Ramos which moved NSD    during the last Sunday of September every year. The International Maritime Organization (IMO) on the other hand, in its Circular No. 1884 dated July 11, 1996, requested all member nations to “celebrate’ World Maritime Day (WMD )during the last week of every September (maritime week) of each year. Consequently, Presidential Proclamation No. 866 dated Sept. 6, 1996 declared Sept. 27, 1996 and the last Friday of September every year, as National Maritime Day (NMD) spearheaded alternatively by the government agencies , to wit Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA), Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), and  Philippine Ports Authority (PPA). This was later amended by another issuance making the last week of September as National Maritime Week.

The Philippines is considered as the major supplier of maritime labor globally as there is an estimated one Filipino seafarer for every four complements  on board a vessel.  Per Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) data,. Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) data showed that there are 367,166  Filipino seafarers with POEA approved contract deployed in 2013 brought in US$5,215,378,000 as dollar remittances. As of 2013, the seabased sector’s remittance comprise at least 22% of the total dollar remittances of OFWs. Remittances help spur domestic consumption in the Philippines and a key ingredient in the country’s drive to achieve higher but sustainable growth.

Given the vast Philippine coast line (twice the size of the United States and nearly three times more than China), Filipinos have natural maritime instincts that place them at an advantage over other nationalities. Foreign shipowners are known to prefer Filipino seafarers for equally important qualities: dedication and discipline, industry, flexibility, loyalty, English language fluency, adaptability, positive work attitude, law-abiding, and problem-solving capability.

Ironically, the Philippines almost lost its slot on the historical first thirty ratifying countries of the Maritime Labour Convention of 2006 (MLC2006).  It took the Philippines six years to ratify MLC2006 on August 13, 2012 after it became a signatory of the so called international magna carta for seafarers rights. The convention sets out minimum standards and fair working conditions for seafarers worldwide. Philippines is the thirtieth country to ratify MLC 2006 out of the 314 signatories and one of the first thirty ratifying countries required for the convention to take effect.