AHOY training of the International Christiian Maritime Association (#ICMA)

#InternationalChristiianMaritimeAssociation (#ICMA)  delegates of   #AHOY Training and Immersion Course

The International Christiian Maritime Association (#ICMA)  held its #AHOY Training and Immersion Course  from Sept. 24 – Oct. 2 2016 in Manila that allowed participants (ship visitors and port based welfare providers) to gain a first-hand knowledge of #Filipinoseafarers’ social and cultural background and other institutions in the Filipino maritime sector.

ICMA  is a free association of 28 Christian not-for-profit organisations working for the welfare of seafarers.These twenty-eight organisations represent various Christian churches and communities. Each member organisation retains its independence and autonomy. ICMA defines seafarers as people who work in merchant shipping, fishing and on passenger ships. Through its members, ICMA currently represents 526 seafarers’ centres and 927 chaplains in 126 countries.

An initial survey of those attending the course in Manila estimates that between 70,000 – 100,000 Filipino seafarers a year are being served directly by this particular group of port based welfare workers.   Ship visiting, engagement with seafarers in seafarers’ centres, and providing communications and transportation are part of this daily interaction to benefit Filipinos and all seafarers away from home.

Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) data showed that there are 44L,826  Filipino seafarers with POEA approved contract deployed in 2014. On the other hand, , the deployed seafarers in 2015 brought in US$5,792,459,000 as dollar remittances. The seabased sector’s remittance comprise at least 22% of the total dollar remittances of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs). However, away from his family and working on board vessels sailing non-stop for weeks or months the world’s oceans, the Filpino seafarer is physically, mentally and emotionally stressed. Constantly exposed to fluctuating temperatures caused by variant weather changes of extreme hot and cold as the ships cross ocean boundaries, not to mention harsh weather conditions, the risks of his getting killed, injured or ill are high.

The  cultural immersion course in Manila aimed to provide welfare workers with a with the opportunity to learn more about the world of Filipino seafarers for a better informed perspective for improving services to all Filipino seafarers in their care .

The author delivered a lecture on different legal matters of the Filipino seafarers which basically involves five issues : illegal recruitment, illegal dismissal, non-payment and underpayment of salaries and wages, disability benefits due to injury or illness and death  benefits. Other speakers include Archbishop of Manila Luis Antonio Tagle,  and from the public and private  sectors. 

Participants likewise attended the 21st National Seafarers Day and  visited various dormitories and the Luneta Seafarers Welfare Foundation (LUSWELF) in kalaw, luneta. 

 ICMA members render welfare services to  many Filipino seafarers   nothwithstanding the 2015 report of the  Baltic and International Maritime Council (BIMCO) and the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) on the manpower situation in the global shipping industry.  Globally, there are 1,647,500 seafarers inclusive of both officers and ratings.  Despite the large number Filipino ratings, the country only ranks number two—next to China—as the world’s largest provider of seafarers across all ranks.China is now ranked as number one supplier of officers while the Philippines is the top source for ratings.

The list of participants came from the following organizations  in various ports:

1. Apostolatus Maris / Apostleship of the Sea (AM / AOS) - United Kingdom, Thailand, Spain, Brazil, Uruguay, Ukraine, Japan, Philippines

2. Biblia Harbour Mission - South Africa

3. Danske Sømands- og Udlandskirker - 

2,. Deutsche Seemannsmission e.V. (DSM) German Seaman Mission - Brazil, Germany, United Kingdom, Hongkong, Greece

3. Mission to Seafarers (MtS) - Australia, Brazil, Belgium, Canada, USA, New Zealand, South Africa, USA, India, Japan

4. North American Maritime Ministry Association (NAMMA) - Canada, USA, 

5. PCT Seamen’s/Fishermen’s Service Center - Taiwan

6. Sailors’ Society - Brazil, Philippines 

7. Scalabrini International Migration Network (SIMN) - USA

8. Seemannsmission der Nordkirche - Germany

9. Seafarers Welfare Association - India

10. International Seafarers Welfare Assistance Network  (ISWAN) - Philippines

Apostolatus Maris / Apostleship of the Sea (AM / AOS) -  Philippines

Apostolatus Maris / Apostleship of the Sea (AM / AOS) - United Kingdom, Thailand, Spain, Brazil, Uruguay, Ukraine, Japan, 

Seemannsmission 

Mission to Seafarers (MtS) - Australia, Brazil, Belgium, Canada, USA, New Zealand, South Africa, USA, India, Japan

North American Maritime Ministry Association (NAMMA) - Canada, USA, 

Sailors’ Society - Brazil, Philippines 

PCT Seamen’s/Fishermen’s Service Center - Taiwan

Danske Sømands- og Udlandskirker - 

Biblia Harbour Mission - South Africa

Seafarers Welfare Association - India

2016 Ten Outstanding Maritime Students of the Philippines

In line with the 21st National Seafarers Day (NSD),  winners of the 2016  Ten Outstanding Maritime Students of the Philippines (TOMS) sponsored by Western Union were presented during the #NSD celebration last September 25, 2016 at the SMX Mall of Asia  in Pasay.



As one of the panel of judges, the chosen. ones 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. The other judges include Fr.Paolo Prigol of the Apostleship of the Seas (AOS), Capt. Rodolfo Estampador, chairman of the Conference of Maritime Manning Agencies, Engr. Mike Marasigan formerly of the Professional Regulatory Commission, and Aris Gamboa of Western Union.

This year's  panel interview for the annual search  started at 830am and finished at 7:30pm for the panel interview of 34  hopefuls who were given 15 minutes each to answer the questions propounded by the judges. . The nationwide 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. 


 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) Philippines 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    to every  last Sunday of September every year.  This year 's NSD theme is "MARINONG PILIPINO: TATAK NG KAHUSAYAN!" 

The 2016 TOMS  are: 

1. Mark Kelvin C. Abarado Marine Transportation Maritime Academy of Asia and the Pacific

2. Andre’ Chad C. Acosta Marine Transportation Maritime Academy of Asia and the Pacific 

3. Prince Noel C. Cainap Marine Transportation John B. Lacson Colleges Foundation-Bacolod

4. Jan Carlo A. Carpio Marine Transportation Southwestern University-Maritime Regiment

5. Prince Nani A. Co Marine EngineeringJohn B. Lacson Foundation Maritime University-Molo

6. Manasseh M. Disto Marine Engineering University of Cebu-Lapu lapu and Mandaue

7. Juelle Jade B. Espiritu Marine Transportation Maritime Academy of Asia and the Pacific

8. John Marwin D. PalmaMarine Transportation Technological Institute of the Philippines-Manila

9. John Carl T. Tagulalap Marine Transportation John B. Lacson Foundation Maritime University-Arevalo Inc.

10. Sabrina Mccoy Villaruz Marine Transportation Colegio De La Purisima Concepcion

21st National Seafarers' Day 2016

Pinoy Seafarers’ Rights

Atty. Dennis R. Gorecho

21^st National Seafarers Day

The 21st  National Seafarers’  Day (NSD) is all set on September 25, 2016 which is celebrated every last Sunday of September as a tribute to our Filipino seafarers.

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 44L,826  Filipino seafarers with POEA approved contract deployed in 2014. On the other hand, , the deployed seafarers in 2015 brought in US$
5,792,459,000 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.

However, away from his family and working on board vessels sailing non-stop for weeks or months the world’s oceans, the Filpino seafarer is physically, mentally and emotionally stressed. Constantly exposed to fluctuating temperatures caused by variant weather changes of extreme hot and cold as the ships cross ocean boundaries, not to mention harsh weather conditions, the risks of his getting killed, injured or ill are high.

Led by the Apostleship of the Sea (AOS) Philippines, this year 's NSD theme is "MARINONG PILIPINO: TATAK NG KAHUSAYAN!" with nationwide activities  that include the Memorial at Sea, High Mass, Oratorical/ Art/ Photo Contest, 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

Former president Fidel V. Ramos earlier issued on July 9, 1996 Proclamation No. 828 declaring August 18 as National Seafarers Day wherein  the AOS-Philippines 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    to every  last Sunday of September every year. 

The NSD coincides with the National Maritime Week last week of September spearheaded alternatively by the government agencies , to wit Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA), Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), and  Philippine Ports Authority (PPA).

Atty. Dennis R. Gorecho  is a graduate of UP College of Law (1998)  and  is currently a junior partner of Sapalo Velez Bundang Bulilan (SVBB) law offices  who heads the seafarers’ division. He is a  speaker on  nationwide paralegal seminars on  seafarers rights.  He is presently the executive vice president of the Maritime Law Association of the Philippines (MARLAW),  and an active  member of the Maritime Forum Inc. , the National Seafarers Day (NSD) committee and International Pro Bono Network. The SVBB law works hand in hand with various seafarers welfare  organizations such as the Apostleship of the Seas (AOS) Philippines, Luneta Seafarers Welfare Foundation (LUSWELF), International Seafarers Welfare Assistance Network (ISWAN) and United Filipino Seafarers (UFS) . 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/ DZIQ every Wednesday 10:30am to 12noon. For comments, please send  email  at info@sapalovelez.com or call  09175025808/ 09088665786.