Hontiveros wants Senate inquiry on PH maritime education amid risk on 50K seafarers’ jobs

Published November 8, 2022 2:23pm Updated November 8, 2022 2:36pm Senator Risa Hontiveros has sought an inquiry into improving the standards of maritime education in the country over fears that around 50,000 Filipino seafarers are at risk of losing their jobs. These came about after findings showed that the Philippines did not comply with the European Union's standards on seafarers' education, training, and certification. In filing proposed Senate Resolution 279, Hontiveros said the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) has been flagging the Philippine maritime training since 2006. She added that EMSA had reported that the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) and the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) did not ensure that all training and assessment met the standards provided under the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW) Convention. "Labing-anim na taon na pala tayong binibigyan ng warning. It’s high time we summon MARINA and CHED to the Senate, para maaksyunan na itong mga reporma. They need to show Congress that they are taking definite steps to resolve this issue," she said in a separate statement. "One of the shortcomings listed was that kahit program design ng maritime courses hindi pa na-finalize ng CHED. This is one of our most important industries, dapat may sense of urgency. We need to honor our commitments under the STCW Convention. This will also help us maintain our status in the [International Maritime Organization] whitelist," she added. Hontiveros said that if the EU decides not to recognize the Certificates of Competencies obtained by Filipino seafarers and prohibits them from being deployed to EU-flagged vessels, it "risks not only substantial economic disruption, but also substantial damage to the reputation of the Philippine maritime industry." The lawmaker also said that ship owners and operators might look elsewhere for seafarers to crew their vessels and the resulting lost ground might prove very hard for the country to regain. Hontiveros emphasized the contribution of seafarers to the Philippine economy, having remitted US$6.54 billion in 2021 based on the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) data. In line with this issue, Hontiveros reiterated the need to pass the Magna Carta for Seafarers, particularly the provisions on government support for their educational advancement and training at reasonable and affordable costs. "Long term reforms will ensure better job security and employability of our seafarers. With all the sacrifices marinos make doing this dangerous job far away from their families, we also owe them up-to-date training that can save their lives and those of their passengers," Hontiveros said. She mentioned a recent work trip where she consulted with seafarers who are going to Aberdeen and from Montenegro. "Iniinda nila ang ibinabayad nilang buwis sa ibang bansa dahil pakiramdam nila hindi nila napapakinabangan ang kinakaltas sa kanila. On top of this, sobra sobra ang fees para sa skills development na kailangan nila to remain competitive and protected," Hontiveros narrated. "May nakasama din akong babaeng seafarer, at sang-ayon siya sa gender-responsive provisions ng Marino bill. Madaming isyu talaga ukol sa welfare protection nila, kaya dapat ng gawing prioridad ang pagpasa ng batas na ito,” she added. (They are complaining about the taxes that they pay in other states because they feel that they are not benefitting from it. On top of this, there are other fees for their skills development which they need to remain competitive and protected. I also talked with a female seafarer and she is in favor of gender-responsive provisions in our bill. There are a lot of issues in terms of their welfare protection. That is why we need to prioritize the passage of this law.) — Hana Bordey/RSJ, GMA Integrated News

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