2015: Two Decades of National Seafarers’ Day celebrations

The  Philippines  is considered as the major supplier of maritime labor globally as it is  estimated that there is one Filipino seafarer for every four complements  on board a vessel at any time.

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.

Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) data showed that there are 367,166  Filipino seafarers with POEA approved contract deployed in 2013. In 2014, the deployed seafarers  brought in US$5,575,722,000 as dollar remittances. The seabased sector’s remittance comprise at least 22% of the total dollar remittances of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs).

These remittances help spur domestic consumption in the  Philippines  and a key ingredient in the country’s drive to achieve higher but sustainable growth.

Recognizing the vital role of Filipino seafarers towards the development of the Philippines as a maritime country,  former president Fidel V. Ramos earlier issued on July 9, 1996 Proclamation No. 828 declaring August 18 as National Seafarers Day 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. Later,  Proclamation No.1094 was issued in 1997 by President Ramos which moved NSD    during the last Sunday of September every year. 

the 20th  NSD fell on September 27, 2015 with the  theme  “MARINONG PILIPINO: ISULONG ANG EDUKASYON AT PAGSASANAY!”

  Nationwide NSD activities  include the Memorial at Sea for the deceased seafarers, , Grand Parade, High Mass, Oratorical/ Art/ Photo Contest, and Karaoke challenge.  The Grand Parade  was participated  by more than 5000 stakeholders from maritime schools, government agencies, manning agencies, training centers, maritime organizations, unions, families and private institutions. 

Highlights of the festivities include the awarding of the winners in the different NSD contests, one of which will be  the Ten Outstanding Maritime Students of the Philippines (TOMSP) honoured by   Western Union  . The search started in 2011 and  gave recognition to students for  being academically excellent, highly competent in practice, in good moral standing and active in their respective communities.  The chosen students are  seen as the embodiment of the "ideal seafarer," displaying "integrity, passion, assertiveness, dependability and camaraderie" that will allow them to become globally competitive Filipino seafarer.
#TOMSP2015   in alphabetical order:

1. Alvin M. Acuido, BS Marine Engineering, Maritime Academy of Asia and the Pacific
2. Archie V. Artizona, BS Marine Transportation, Maritime Academy of Asia and the Pacific
3. Angelo P. Decena, BS Marine Transportation, Philippine Merchant Marine Academy
4. Florencio S. Deypabulos, BS Marine Transportation, University of Cebu
5. Rey Phillip J. Gallos, John B. Lacson Colleges Foundation
6. Mark P. Pagdato, BS Marine Transportation, John B. Lacson Maritime Academy
7. Shiela R. Rosales, BS Marine Transportation, Maritime Academy of Asia and the Pacific
8. Christian J. Santiago, BS Marine Engineering, John B. Lacson Maritime Academy
9. Bernard M. Sorbito, BS Marine Engineering, John B. Lacson Colleges Foundation
10. Val Ralph S. Velasquez, BS Marine Engineering, Philippine Merchant Marine Academy

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 (30^th) 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.

NSD coincides with the National Maritime Week. 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 22nd National Seafarers Day is all  set on September 24,2017  with the theme "Marinong Filipino: Nag-uugnay sa Mundo!". 

The #NSD22 #NSD2017 activities nationwide led by the #ApostleshipoftheSea ( #AOS ) include the Memorial at Sea, High Mass, Oratorical/ Art/ Photo Contest, Harana by the Bay, Boodlefight, Karaoke challenge, and the Search for Top Ten Outstanding Maritime Students. One of the highlights is the Grand Parade to be participated in by more than 4000 stakeholders from maritime schools, government agencies, manning agencies, training centers, maritime organizations, unions, families and private institutions

 Atty. Dennis R. Gorecho obtained his B.S.Economics (Dean’s Medalist,1991) and Bachelor of Laws (1998) from  UP Diliman, admitted to the bar April 1999. He joined Sapalo Velez Bundang Bulilan (SVBB) law offices in 2001 and now a  Junior Partner who heads the seafarers’ division. He is a  speaker on  nationwide paralegal seminars on  seafarers rights.  He is part of the board of trustees for the Maritime Law Association of the Philippines (MARLAW), Maritime Forum, the National Seafarers Day (NSD) committee and International Pro Bono Network. He is a legal commentator on maritime issues on print, radio and TV. A co-anchor of the radio program Bantay OCW Usapang Marino aired over Radio Inquirer every Wednesday 10:30am to 12noon.