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PRESIDENT ARROYO: RP IS WORLD'S "MANNING CAPITAL" FOR SEAFARERS
November 28, 2003
Filipino seafarers or sea-based Filipino workers now constitute one-fifth or 20% of the total global
shipping force, President Arroyo said in a speech before an international gathering of some 400 foreign
and local delegates from the maritime industry.
The Chief Executive's message was read by Presidential Adviser on Overseas Filipino Communities
Secretary Heherson T. Alvarez who represented her as guest of honor and speaker at the 5th Lloyd's
Ship Manager (LSM) Asia Pacific Manning and Training Conference at the Westin Philippine Plaza Hotel
Wednesday night.
Manning agents, ship owners and top shipping executives were in the country to discuss
seafarers' pay, maritime security and safety, among other issues affecting the global
maritime industry.
The President urged industry leaders to "continue to avail of the services of our
seafarers" whom shedescribed as "among the most competent and efficient marine
officers anywhere."
She assured the international community that the Philippine government has streamlined
maritime education, licensing and processing of all requirements for seafarers to ensure
quality service and professionalism.
"We have adhered to standards of excellence and global competitiveness. We may not be a
naval power, but we are now known as the manning capital of the world. The skills, industry,
competence and integrity on the job of Filipino seafarers have done our country proud," the
President said.
She cited the Philippine Navy's Naval Maritime Academy of Asia and the Pacific as among the
top sources of the pillars of the nation's naval command and also the global maritime industry.
Congress, she added, passed Republic Act 8544 five years ago to bolster the chances of Filipino
merchant marine officers for overseas employment through an improved education and training system.
"Our adherence to these standards enabled the Philippines to make it to the international maritime
organization's so-called "white list," thereby opening the world's growing maritime labor markets
to our thousands of inter-island seafarers, assuring security of employment for the Filipinos already
sailing the high seas," the President said.
In the first half of 2003 alone, over 112,300 seamen have been deployed, indicating a steady demand
for Filipino seafarers globally.
Last year, some 205,000 Filipino seafarers contributed about US$1.4 billion of the
estimated US$8 billion remittance sent back home by overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).
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