US$8 €12 ¥200
VOLUME XI NO. 2-B ISSN 1908-0972
PHP120
MARCH - APRIL 2016
MARINO WORLD
1
2
MARINO WORLD
Cover Story
DUTERTE FACES MARITIME ANCHORS
Education
MPCF: DISCIPLINE AND LOYALTY
6
10
Certification
FUJIWARA HEADS CLASSNK
15
Feature
19
L4SS FIRST MEET
Governance
24
OUR PARTYLISTS
US$8 €12 ¥200
VOLUME XI NO. 2 -A ISSN 1908-0972
PHP120
MARCH - APRIL 2016
Content
ABOUT THE COVER
MARINO WORLD
1
Layout by: Jhon Henson Ong
The Mayor of Davao City has shown
genuine concern on the maritime
sector. Not much yet to share but
certainly prepared to listen. The
cover is not a political endorsement.
It is a statement of support to one
who supports.
EDITORIAL BOARD
Publisher
Editorial Consultant
Lyn Bacani
Creative Director
B. Cortes Lagac
Content Critique
Commo. Dante La Jimenez
Eva Tan
Jhon Henson Ong
Legal Counsel
Atty. Manuel Obedoza Jr.
News and Feature Writers
Coca H. Strobar
Ligaya Caban
Contributors
Ms. Merle San Pedro RAdm. Adonis Donato
Atty. Cristina Beltran
International Contributors
F R Chowdhury
Mark Millar
Special Projects Manager
Gel Miranda
Account Executive
Karen Mainar
Richard Teo
Visayas Correspondent
Boy Ilano
Circulation Assistant
Joana Marie Tud
EDITORIAL OFFICE
1732 Modesto St., Malate, Manila, Philippines
marinoworldpublication@gmail.com
Tel. / Fax
(632) 521-3633
Mobile
(63) 906-491-2777
Published by Bacani & Associates Media Services Co. (BASMS)
www.marinoworld.com.ph
Publisher’s Note
LEADERSHIP MATTERS
The maritime sector has been aggressive
in getting the attention of candidates in the
upcoming elections, especially those running
for national posts. The advocacy is quite
logical and pragmatic, with business sense
to boot.
For leadership matters; proper perspective
and sufficient knowledge fuel the political
will to reform and redress national priorities.
For one, include the maritime industry on the
top slot of the national agenda.
The Movement for Maritime Philippines
(MMP) has initiated, or perhaps brokered, the
political gambit. On the theme Talakayang
Eleksyon: Pagsulong ng Bayan, Maritima
ang Kasagutan, MMP invited national
wannabes (presidentiables, vice and senators)
to present their platform of government,
particularly on the maritime industry.
MMP even collated the signed endorsement
of maritime associations and major
stakeholders imploring political leaders
to place the maritime industry on the
priority agenda of the government, of the
Administration. This was even published --full page --- in a leading national broadsheet,
an act defining in its approach, in its unity
and in its cost, all in pursuit of the country’s
progress
The Davao forum of MMP was followed
in Manila by the Joint Manning Group
(JMG) First Joint General Membership
meeting, almost a call-to-arms, in a manner
of speaking. For the big guns are with JMG,
employers of over 300,000 Filipino merchant
mariners who ply the world.
Davao City Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte is
first to submit to both fora, platform and
priorities. Not as in-depth as the ideal, but
with workable mechanics for serious reforms.
As of our press time, only Dutete is the
presidentiable who appeared before MMP
and JMG.
Hopefully, the other four major presidential
candidates will find time and means to
connect to the maritime leadership to express
views and commitment. It need not be in a
dedicated forum, given their hectic schedules
of realpolitics in various provinces and
chartered cities. And power groups, target
blocks.
A truly busy person shall find time to do the
worthy tasks, to calibrate priorities in the
scheme of things all aching for attention. And
we expect them to consider the facts, viz:
•
Shipping moves 90% of world’s goods;
a fundamental industry that has long
been neglected in the Philippines;
•
OFW remittances are 25% from
seafarers, roughly US$5.375 billion in
2014;
•
In 2012, our shipbuilding is 5th, after
China, Japan, Korea and Brazil; 4th in
2014;
•
Over 300,000 seafarers, the most
crewing international merchant ships;
•
Archipelago of 7,107 islands, for
domestic shipping creating jobs and
business;
•
About 45,000 in shipbuilding/repair;
seven Class A shipyards, 12 mediumsized and 99 for small ships per 2013
MARINA listing; and
•
So many allied businesses: manning
agencies, maritime schools, training
centers, review centers, chandling, port
operations and more.
Indeed, the Philippines is the world’s
second largest shipping nation, so much
for commercial fishing, coral reefs and
marine products, tourism on our beaches,
white waters and surf, waterfalls and secret
lagoons.
Even the apolitical are flexing political
muscles. The maritime industry is now
represented in the Lower House of Congress
through the PartyList system. Angkla already
has a Nominee with so much inroads even
on its first term. Three others are on the
campaign swing: Amor, Ang Marino and
Clase, potentially adding 11 more Nominees
for the maritime industry.
Those numbers are tough, pipe dreams. But
Angkla has proven that even one Nominee,
with smart leveraging, can influence the
pitch and roll of politics for maritime goals.
Imagine if we can increase representation,
more heads are better than one, as goes folk
wisdom.
Yet, so many cooks spoil the broth. So we
revert to our initial challenge: leadership.
Time is proving the maritime industry is
jelling to effectively address its concerns. It
has so much to say, but so little wind to --- at
the moment.
But we are in the right charter, accepting
common causes, unifying to pursue the
goals. And we have the discernment how:
leadership.
MARINO WORLD
5
Cover Story
Duterte with Rono and Francisco
AT JMG AND MMP FORA
DUTERTE FACES MARITIME ANCHORS
Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Roa Duterte
is first among presidential candidates to
accept the invitation of the Joint Manning
Group (JMG), for its First Joint General
Membership Meeting held at Diamond
Hotel, Manila, March 10th.
Duterte clasped hands with the main
anchors of the country’s maritime
industry:
•
Marlon Rono, Filipino Association
for Mariners’ Employment (FAME)
•
Eduardo Manase, Phil-Japan
Manning Consultative Council
(PJMCC)
•
Capt. Oscar Orbeta, Phil. Association
of Manning Agencies and
Shipmanagers (PAMAS)
•
Roy Alampay, Filipino Shipowners’
Association (FSA)
•
Capt. Jin Salvatierra, Jr., Intl.
Maritime Association of the Phil.
(INTERMAP)
More than 100 manning representatives
attended.
JMG Vice Chair for External Affairs
Erikson Marquez presented a brief on
JMG and the country’s seafaring industry:
JMG is an umbrella organization of
five major ship maritime at manning
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MARINO WORLD
associations, namely: FAME with 124
members; PJMCC with 70 members;
PAMAS with 52 members; FSA with
19 members and INTERMAP with 11
members.
It coordinates with the Integrated Seafarers
(ISP) for corporate social programs.
JMG supplies about 80% of Philippines
seafarers deployment; in 2014, about
400,000 contracts processed representing
close to 30% of the 1.2 million merchant
seafarers of the world.
In 2015, the industry may remit US$6
billion in salaries, out of the estimated
US$25 billion from both landbased and
seabased sectors.
This industry with about 500,000 active
Filipino seafarers onboard, almost all
types of vessels is serviced by 70 maritime
schools accredited by CHED and over 100
training centers accredited by MARINA.
Spin-off businesses are travel agencies
for seamen’s foreign travel and return;
domestic travels for their training and
documentation requirements, medical
clinics for pre and post medical
employment as well as other supplies like
working uniforms and gears required.
Collectively, about five million people
depend on the Philippines maritime
industry which started in the early 1970s
on private initiatives. It has grown as a
major contributor to jobs and economic
growth through its non-capital dependent
foreign exchange earnings.
Yet, maritime industry concerns,
especially seafaring, have not been given
enough attention and priority in the past,
even up to today.
VChair Marquez notes JMG has many
concerns on bureaucratic processes that
hamper dispatch and deployment. There
are serious concerns on unjust decisions
by our judicial bodies. Badly needed
legislations remain unacted in Congress;
those passed lack consultation with the
industry. What is good for landbased
workers are not necessarily workable with
job practices onboard ships.
PartyList Angkla with Nominee Jesulito
Manalo managed to pass four bills signed
into law benefiting the industry. But much
remain to be done. And dramatically,
immediately. Because of the crisis from
current depressed shipping market. There
could be industry meltdown after nurturing
it in the past 40 years.
Angkla Second Nominee, Capt. Ronald
Enrile, presented positive perspective prior
to the arrival of the main guest, Mayor
Duterte.
Introduction.
Senator Allan Peter Cayetano was
introduced as “the most active and vocal
senator of the land inspired by his father
who was an equally outstanding senator in
his time.”
Vice-presidentiable Cayetano declares, “If
there’s one industry that can talk directly to
the leaders of our country… to either shape
up or ship out” it is the maritime sector.
The economy will stand still without the
maritime industry, he claims.
Cayetano claims, “If we want to see a
real Philippine boom, not a Metro Manila
boom, not a top 40 companies boom in the
Philippines, the person can do that is in this
room” (implying Duterte).
FAME Pres Rono intro for Duterte held
up some breath: labeled The Punisher by
Time magazine, leader of the Davao Death
Squad. A sympathizer of the New People’s
Army, and later a dictator.
But Rono stressed Davao City has voted for
Duterte since 1988 (Mayor, Congressman,
Vice-Mayor, then Mayor again). He is a big
daddy, a protector, a security blanket of the
city. The man who turned the former killing
field of the communists assassins into one
of the safest city in the world.
Duterte has the reputation as a man who
gets things done, implementing a very strict
no smoking ban in public areas, a 30 km
speed limit in six major streets, the one
o’clock am liquor ban and no fireworks
ordinance.
The man.
He was born in Maasin, Southern Leyte,
March 28, 1945 to Vicente Duterte and
Solidad Roa. They moved to Davao City,
his father becoming the last governor of
undivided Davao province. “Digong”
finished high school from a rural school,
exiled by his father after his expulsion from
Ateneo de Davao. He took up Law in San
Beda College, passed the bar (1972) and
served as fiscal in Davao City (1986).
Given standing ovation, he humbly
gestured for them to be seated. Even in
Davao City, he discourages people from
standing for him, “just a government
worker working for you.”
In-between the eyes.
Duterte was his usual self, frank and direct;
speaking to persons, not delivering speech
to people. He is flabbergasted, everything
Digong Duterte
and Supremo Manese
not really working right. He has been
mayor for 22 years, a congressman. “I
really know what’s happening until now.”
Duterte: “It’s corruption, crime and drugs
and the failure of the government to
deliver.” He believes Government is really
oppressing the people. Left and right, you
have to shell out just to get a document
that you want for your profession or your
business.”
He puts simply what is philosophical and
spiritual: “When you are here in this planet
and you do not sense any purpose… there
is no God. We are here because we have
a purpose and we should know that …
because after all destiny for everybody…
When you die, get married… And even
being a president, it’s all destiny.
His sense of humor pervades even on
serious topics. A trait that charms people
but places him in hot water with ultra-strict
critics. He is quick to apologize but just as
quick to repeat.
Travails.
Duterte notes mulcting starts at
Immigration, at the airport, both going
and returning. Customs hold the seafarers,
asked for grease money on set-up charges.
And their baggage are picked, loosing the
pasalubong for loved ones eagerly waiting
at home.
Sailors are worried on the safety of their
children, their family. Some are raped,
knifed, victims of addicts high on illegal
drugs.
“(W)e are still in the feudal stage and
patronage,” says Duterte.
He critized Government for refusing
to increase benefits under the Social
Security System (SSS) but pays millions
to consultants in various levels of the
bureaucracy.
Unexpectedly, he goes back stage to
kiss the Pilipino flag. And then, waxes
historical:
He says we belong to different tribes of
different cultures. Imperialism shadowed
over our land. In 1521, Magellan claimed
ownership of our land using the Cross and
the sword against Islam already established
in Mindanao. Americans came later, stayed
for almost a century.
While Mindanao gives 54% of export
earnings, Duterte laments it receives a
puny share. The larger chunks are for the
imperialists of the budget in Manila. “Huge
sums unspecified, not itemized,” Duterte
snides.
And he switches folksy, removes the
sampaguita lei triggering chuckles, some
clapping. In breezy tone, he says do not be
MARINO WORLD
7
DUTERTE FACES MARITIME ANCHORS
The Mayor with JMG key officers
angry with him since he still remembers
a similar one on a dead person. “Ribbon
lang, okay na,” Duterte says impishly.
IMEC Rep. Michael Estaniel: “It’s good
to hear his side. It would have been nice to
see the others.”
Boldly, he forwards a thesis: Visayans
agree to be a part of one nation expecting
equality on everything. “(T)here has to
be equality and there has to be equal
distribution of the wealth of the nation
and whoever sits in government and the
Congress that will govern us we expected
(the government to be upright).”
FAME Pres. Rono: “Well, still very early…
more on criminality naka focus sya, peace
and order which is, I think, in any country,
in a developing country. That is very vital
kasi if you have peace and order, economy
can prosper.”
Reactions.
JMG Chair Manese: “That was very candid
talk.”
KGJS Pres. Malvar Castellon “… he
presented himself as a man of action, nononsense, things will be faster without all
the excess baggage that goes along with the
bureaucracy.”
INTERMAP Pres. Salvatierra: “Well,
I can see their sincerity in changing the
government. Of course, we cannot expect
that they will have a full grasp of our
maritime concerns and issues but we agree
with them that the main problem in this
country is corruption…”
NYK-Fil Pres. Josephine Francisco:
“Nothing, I am a very apolitical person,
no comment. We are just honored that he’s
here, that’s it.”
Former JMG Chair Emmanuel Regio: “I
think with political will, he can do it. Ang
danger… is the way he will execute…
respect over the law (and)… (For us to
progress we need a) strong president, we
need it… (But his) analysis sa maritime,
(he was not thoroughly) briefed.”
Platform.
Earlier, Duterte was guest speaker at the
Movement for Maritime Phil (MMP)
forum dubbed as: Talakayang Eleksyon:
Pagsulong ng Bayan, Maritima ang
Kasagutan held at Davao Merchant Marine
Academy (DMMA) College of Southern
Philippines, January 27th.
be affordable and available to the masses.
The Mayor notes at present, Manila to
Cebu to Cagayan or vice versa is the only
priority route of shipping companies,
by-passing all other destinations. Mayor
Digong reminded everyone that years back,
people can travel from one province to
another in a cheaper fare through passenger
vessels by which you can comfortably
bring chickens and bigger baggage for
pasalubong.
He advocates shipbuilding not only
in Luzon but also in the Visayas and
Mindanao.
Duterte plans to buy or rent about five
moored or lay-up ships as training ships for
cadets. If not in use by the shipowners, he
will request them to donate or lease out the
vessels.
He will subsidize schools, allowing them
to set procedures and examinations. He
just implores that standards be not too stiff
for the “ordinary” minds. He will also help
other courses (i.e. education, seafarers,
maritime) and would not impose grades
like 85 or 80. 78 may be acceptable.
He accepted Q&A talk with panelists Ms.
Merle Jimenez-San Pedro (PAMTCI),
Ms. Arlene-Abuid Paderanga (PAMI), Dr.
Elizabeth Salabas (PCGA), Capt. Rogelio
Paramio (Marino PartyList) and Mr. Leo
Santiago, (MJAP).
He will stop red tape with a one-stop shop
for all needs of seafarers. Maximum three
days for documents, clearances or permits
reducing signatures to 5 or 7 within 30
days. One should not follow-up, just get a
card and give the agency the problem of
processing. Mulcting is also be avoided if
one is not seen; every province or city shall
have processing centers.
OSM Pres. Adonis Donato: “He’s a natural
man; at least, he means what he say. Wala
siyang hypocrisy. He is the last hope.”
Duterte will replicate Biyayang Dagat of
Marcos martial years being best for fisher
folks. After EDSA I, it was stopped small
fisherfolk can no longer take out loans. The
market for fish products constricted without
government assistance.
Duterte signed the Commitment prepared
by MMP, “(T)he development of a
national maritime agenda will form part
of my government platform to achieve an
inclusive economic progress under my
leadership.”
Vega Pres. Vicente Fedelicio: “Actually,
we’ll vote for them. They are the only
candidates for President and VP with really
concrete platform.”
He will build more infras to handle
imports, exports and decongestion, more
ports to load, deliver products the cheapest,
the fastest and the safest means. Goods will
MMP gave Duterte a replica of a vintage
ship, a reminder of a glorious heritage and
a message on the atrophied present.
PAMAS Pres. Orbeta: “Very relieving,
(if) he can do the change.” For Orbeta,
welcome since people are fed-up. The
presentation is aggressive that is why one
wonders why survey ratings go higher in
spite of the negatives.
Odfjell Pres. Remigio Zamora rates Duterte
as a real person, very direct without
hypocrisy. One trusts such a person because
you know he is not fooling you.
8
MARINO WORLD
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www.vcrew.com/phl
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Contact Us
Contact Us
Main Office
Main
Office
Bradco
Avenue, Aseana II,
Bradco
Aseana 1702
II,
Aseana Avenue,
City, Paranaque
Aseana
City,
Paranaque
1702
Phone: 858-9900 / 401-9557
Phone: 858-9900 / 401-9557
Cebu Branch
Cebu
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3rd Floor
Crown Building, North 6
3rd Floor
Building,
North 6
Road,
CebuCrown
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Mabolo Cebu City (behind Sun Gold
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and in front
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SM Cebu)
and
in
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Phone: 032 238-2449 / 032 238-9713
Phone: 032 238-2449 / 032 238-9713
Performance assured
Performance assured
Education
Pres Dante La Jimenez
MPCF: DISCIPLINE AND LOYALTY
True, academic excellence is a
must. But discipline and loyalty
complete the package --- so demand
shipowners and employers. It is
in this pragmatics that Mariners
Polytechnic Colleges Foundation
(MPCF) mold the cadets.
The unbending mix is the secret --and the key --- why MPCF continue
to get the trust of shipowners and
partner companies. Mariners are
known for discipline and loyalty, for
graduates with secured knowledge,
competency and skills to be a worldclass seafarer.
April 7th at the 30th Commencement
and Ring Hop ceremonies, MPCFLegazpi President Dante La. Jimenez
assures parents and guardians before
the cadets leave the portal of MPCF,
they are equipped with knowledge
on their various courses ... skills that
they acquired from training and at the
same time the attitude the Mariners is
noted for: discipline and loyalty.
I hope and pray that the graduating
class this year will always bear in
mind that when you are accepted by
your employer or by your companies,
you will be loyal to them, grow with
10
MARINO WORLD
them and make sure you will succeed
in your respective professions.
We have graduated thousands of
successful Marineros and Marineras.
And precisely why some of you are
relatives or do have brothers and
sisters who have graduated from this
school because they have succeeded
in their professions.
In our institution, we make sure
they are away from vices, illegal
drugs and alcohol. We’re always
consistent in our reminder that health
is wealth.”
Batch Di-Malupig Ma. Kaitlin Joy
Villacorta, in her valedictory address
confirms, “It’s attitude… I being a
Cum Laude doesn’t guarantee me a
brighter future than those who are
not.
These medals and awards are not
assurances that tomorrow I will not
worry about getting hired. Attitude
will, Intelligence isn’t seen through
grades. It can be seen on how we
calm the storm and manage to keep
everything in place with the least
damage as possible.”
Around 800 graduated from the
academic load, with some to
complete a year of shipboard
requirement for a diploma in
BSMarE and BSMT. Other degrees
are in Hospitality Management, Hotel
and Restaurant Management and
Customs Administration.
Earlier in the morning, Legazpi
City Mayor Noel Rosal, cut the
ceremonial ribbon to inaugurate the
fourth floor rooms for the Senior
High School at the Engr. Jimenez
building, another facility at the
MPCF-Legazpi campus.
Friendship.
Guest speaker on the occasion
is Capt. Peter Grunau, Training
specialist of United Marine Training
Center, Marlow NavigationPhilippines, He is joined by his wife
and daughter. They dined with the
Jimenez family with trustees of the
MPCF Board.
Cuisine was by Chef Norjun Barro,
now with Marlow Navigation. He
is an MPCF alumnus, just like Dan
Aldrich Tolentino who is Marlow
Training Program Manager.
Capt. Peter Grunau
with Marlow wards
“Thank you very much for your
hospitality...Legazpi is for sure
one of our main colleges where we
are selecting cadets and we hope
to continue... We are very very
satisfied… I hope that we have
glorious future together and that we
have many many more graduates
and celebrations till the next years,”
beams Granau.
Canaman.
At MPCF –Canaman on April 5th,
Atty. Iris Baguilat was the guest
speaker. Baguilat is president of
Dohle Seafront Crewing (Manila).
Earlier on April 4th at the Ring Hop,
the speaker was C/E Alfredo Haboc,
Deputy Administrator for Regional
Concerns of the Maritime Industry
Authority (MARINA).
At the Recognition Rites for honor
students, the speaker was Capt.
Leodan Nagrampa, CEO/General
Manager, TSAKOS MaritimePhilippines.
Industry Partners (sponsoring and
hiring cadets) who attended are
from the Development Bank of the
Phil, Misuga Kaiun, Maine MarinePhilippines, Manila Ocean Crew,
Marlow Navigation-Phil, Veritas
Maritime, Taiyo Nippon Kisen,
Phoenix Maritime, Crewcare, Epic
Gas Crewing and New Filipino
Maritime Agencies.
Business Administration courses.
756 graduated from Marine
Transportation, Marine
Engineering, Naval Architecture
and Marine Engineering, Customs
Administration, Bridging Program
for BS Mechanical Engineering and
BS Electrical Engineering to BS
Marine Engineering, Cruise Ship
Management, and Seaman’s Culinary
Course.
Lugue announced the world’s largest
cruising outfit, Royal Caribbean
Cruise Lines (RCCL), is hiring a total
of 30,000 Filipino crew members
over the next five years. This is triple
of the current 11,000 as it expands
the fleet and routes in Asia.
Naga.
PTC is the crewing agent for RCCL
and he encouraged graduates
to apply, citing benefits and job
qualifications.
MPCF – Naga campus held
commencement exercises earlier on
March 31st Main speaker was C/E
Peter Lugue of Phil Transmarine
Carriers (PTC). More than 250
graduated from Hotel Hospitality
Management, Hotel and Restaurant
Management, Tourism, Customs
Administration, Communication and
With the year’s harvest of prime
cadets drilled in knowledge and
honed in competency, MPCF
continues its primacy in maritime
education and training in the Bicol
Region. MPCF is an icon in the
national level; for the institution is
dedicated to compete in the global
stage.
MARINA’s Haboc at
MPCF-Canaman
MARINO WORLD
11
Opinion
SEAFARER RIGHTS
AND PRIVILEGES
by F R Chowdhury
There is a major transformation in trade,
commerce and industry with the end
of World War II. Outsourcing of labour
is now a prime consideration. Labour
intensive industries are set-up in third
world countries to exploit cheap labour,
hired where possible.
The shipping industry has become more
international. Gone are the days when
ships used to be owned and manned
by the nationals of the flag state. The
ship-owners prefer to register their
ships in a third country where there is
lower taxation and lesser controls and
restrictions.
Liberia, Marshall Islands and the
Bahamas are “open registers”. There
is no restriction on the nationality of
seafarers; owners can hire seafarers
from a country where wages are low.
Since the vessel hardly calls at home
port and because seafarers will have to
be flown in to join the ship, the owners
prefer to take bulk of them from a single
country.
That is why they need crewing agents
in the country of the seafarers to
select the required crew and arrange
for their travel to join the ship. Such
representative/agent are also required
to complete any local formality.
However, neither STCW nor SOLAS-ISM
recognises any such entity. The term
“company” is used to define the entity
responsible for safe operation of the
ship with security and protection of
the marine environment. Resources
including manning remain the
responsibility of the (ISM) company. The
crewing agent works under the umbrella
of the company.
To protect rights and privileges of the
seafarers, ILO felt the need for some
degree of control by Administration of
the country of the seafarers’ origin.
That is why they introduced the entity
“Recruitment and Placement Services”
(RPS). They are to be licensed by the
Administration and responsible to
the Administration for seafarers sent
through them.
ISM companies should use only
licensed RPS. The company shall remain
responsible to the flag state; the RPS
answerable to the Administration of the
seafarers’ nationality.
When not paid wages, the crew should
complain to the flag state that can
pressure the ISM Company because the
DOC (document of compliance) of the
company is issued by the flag state. The
seafarers can also complain to their own
national administration that can exercise
leverage over RPS licensed by them.
The ultimate option still remains with
the seafarers to arrest the ship for the
lien they have to recover wages and
repatriation expenses.
F R Chowdhury is a former Director General of Shipping, Bangladesh. He
is also an Ex-Deputy Chief Examiner of UK-MCA, Maritime Administrator of
Gibraltar and Maritime Adviser to GOP, Kingdom of Bahrain.
Editor’s Note. The author is an acknowledged expert in maritime issues and concerns, with worldwide
lectures and experience. But his fertile mind cannot be confined in any one area; he must explore
yonder horizons –- socio-political, economic trends --- truly a Renaissance spirit.
12
MARINO WORLD
Education
Outgoing Admin Evidente
receives President Emeritus
Award for JBLCF-Bacolod
OIC Parcia takes the oath
3 JBLFMU Graduations
The pride and glory of the moment,
serial commencement exercises for three
batches --- over 3,000 young and raring,
trained and cultured to compete with the
best of the world.
They marched proud and certain, from
the portals of the pioneering private
maritime education and training
institution in the Visayas and Mindanao,
based in Bacolod City and Iloilo
province:
•
John B. Lacson Colleges
Foundation – Bacolod (40th), April
4, SMX Convention Hall
•
JBL Maritime University – Molo
(68th), April 5, at the covered court
•
JBL Foundation Maritime
University – Arevalo (68th), April 6,
at the covered court.
Highlight is the turnover of the school
banner, symbolizing the transfer of main
responsibilities from Capt. Luis Evidente
to Mr. Robert Parcia, the new OIC
Administrator. Witnessing the ceremony
was Dr. Ronald Raymond Sebastian,
Chief Executive Officer (The President
Emeritus, Dr. Mary Lou Arcelo, was in
Vietnam for a conference).
Evidente was honored with a plaque of
appreciation, proclaiming his valuable
service, dedication and loyalty which
contributed to the realization of the
mission and vision of the Institution
ONE LACSONIAN
during his watch.
leadership.
JBLCF-Bacolod received the President
Emeritus Award for performance
excellence, rounded up in Total Quality
Management.
(T)o the best of my abilities, I commit
to continue taking care of your people
and the institution you have grown for
the past 8 years. June 2016 is the start of
very huge challenge not only for me as
the new leader but for the people of this
institution as a whole considering the full
implementation of the K-12.”
It honors the JBL foundation unit for
its strong commitment to total quality
management, focus on results and
manifest management system which
centers on continual improvement in the
delivery of education and training and
provide a way of responding to the needs
and requirements of the stakeholders.
Evidente comments, “The achievement
is simply because we have been united in
those efforts. Sometimes we hold back a
little bit but with a little push and a little
reminder we do know that we have an
obligation to stakeholders towards our
mission and vision we look ahead and
never look back.”
He was nostalgic, too: “It has been to me
like it was running a ship, each one being
responsible for his own function and
obligation, each one being competent
enough to do his share, each one
contributing his own personal effort and
as one we complete a safe voyage.”
As the new OIC, Parcia was both humble
and bullish: “With an open heart and
mind I am accepting the responsibilities.
Capt. Evidente who has been my boss,
my mentor and my friend, thank you so
much for molding me right under your
Parcia also appealed to the employees to
“… continue to cling on to one another
because it is the only way for us to
prevail.”
Evidente serves as Executive Assistant
to the CEO, concurrently Director for
Academic Affairs. He shall harmonize
implementation of policies in all the
three campuses. His plate is full: member
of the CHED/MARINA Technical
Working Group (TWG) curriculum
review committee member, and
responsible for international affairs like
meetings and liaisons.
Revamp.
At the JBLFMU- Molo gym on April 1st
was the changing of the guards, viz:
•
Engr. Roberto Neal Sobrejuanite
heads JBLFMU-Arevalo
•
Engr. Ralph L. Pador takes the
JBLF Training Center
•
Capt. Alfred G. Espinosa handles
MARINO WORLD
13
ONE LACSONIAN
instituted and we have inculcated in
our efforts everyday, we do hope it
will remain, not only at work but also
at home and in your own personal and
private lives.
POMI’s Daguio with
sponsored cadets
JBLFMU-Molo
JBLFMU CEO Sebastian implored
employees to cooperate, more so with
innovations for the benefit of units
concerned. For an organization to work,
it will not only be about leadership; but
most importantly, of working together.
He just hopes that no matter who the
leader is, there will be continuity.
On the other hand, Dr. Arcelo says surely
the JBLFMU community is always
ready to the challenges. She believes
that the university has been already
institutionalized thus despite the changes
in leadership, people already know their
job. Operation will continue and even
improve.
Speakers.
Top caliber speakers were on hand:
Freddie T. Bernal, CHEd Regional Office
VII and Interim Regional Director of
CHEdRO XVIII Negros Island Region at
JBLCF-Bacolod;
Partners.
30 representatives from shipping and
crewing companies who are benefactors
of the cadets attended. They awarded
cadets who bagged academic honors and
other recognitions.
The common theme was, “The
Maritime Vanguard in Pursuit of Global
Excellence” and JBL campuses are fused
into one mission, one goal.
Evidente reminds, “But do remember
that it is not only on that very first
interview or on the very first day at
work you will have to prove yourself
all throughout life, all throughout your
future and all throughout your career
professional or otherwise. You will have
to be steadfast citizens of the country,
you will have to be law abiding, you will
also have to be God-fearing.
I also hope that the values we have
Capt. Jerry M. Draper, Port Captain and
Owner’s Representative of Optimum
Shipping Services and Scorpio Group
Shipping at JBLMU-Molo; and
C/O Joemar P. Masacote, Recruitment
and Career Development Manager of
Marlow Navigation
Draper and Masacote are both alumni of
JBLFMU.
Masacote and Marlow cadets
14
MARINO WORLD
More than 3,000 graduated from the
three campuses on diploma courses
like Marine Transportation, Marine
Engineering, Hotel and Restaurant
Management Major in Cruise Ship
Services, Customs Administration,
Business Administration, Tourism
Management and Information
Technology.
The Founder.
Juan B. Lacson was born May 9, 1898 in
Silay City, Negros Occidental, the third
of eight children. He grew up in their
hacienda in Manapla where the family
owned a rowboat to transport sugar from
Silay to Iloilo.
He took his primaries in Silay and
Manapla, high school at Siliman
University in Dumaguete City. The kid
wanted to take naval architecture but
for the finances; instead, he enrolled
on the two-year Associate in Nautical
Science on a scholarship grant from the
Philippine Nautical School. He graduated
in 1920 and immediately boarded as an
Apprenticemate onboard SS Venus of the
Manila Steamship Company.
Two years after, he got his Third Mate
license. In 1937, he was skipper of
the new and luxurious yacht, Limbas
(Seahawk) of one of Manila’s richest
EDUCATION
businessmen. In 1938, he went to the
United States with the owner and gained
more experience as a ship officer.
Coming back, he served the Coast
Guard Patrol Service of the Light House
Department of the Bureau of Customs
until November 1941. He was Chief
Mate of Natsuko, then bound for US.
When World War II broke out, he
joined the US Coastguard as Lieutenant
Junior Grade in 1942. He was posted
at the coastal area of San Francisco,
commanded the Bataan on a suicide war
mission --- earning him a medal of honor.
He also took command in December
1945 of FS-273. FS (freight ships)
are known as Liberty Ships, heroes of
the Normandy assault of Allied forces
against the Axis powers. Soldiers won
WWII but only with merchant mariners
delivering critical war materials aboard
FS --- unarmed, thousand perished over
waters infested by German torpedo subs.
The exploits are in the Army Freight and
Supply Histories.
JBLFMU-Molo speaker Draper with wife; JBLFMU
Sebastian and Espinosa; MW Bacani and Miranda
He was granted US citizenship, took
the name John, and settled in San Juan,
Puerto Rico, then a US trust territory.
When war ended, Capt. Lacson returned
and spent 12 years as harbor pilot
in Iloilo City. But there remains that
aching to help the less fortunate, to open
opportunities for young boys to follow
him to the sea.
In 1948, he founded the Iloilo Maritime
Academy (IMA) --- and the rest, is
history.
Capt. Lacson is immortalized as a
teacher, a master mariner, a port pilot.
He changed the lives of Ilonggos,
making Iloilo the Seafarers Capital of
the Philippines --- venturing the blue
waters of the globe, highly esteemed
on deck and engine, providing well for
their families and country --- all from
a Captain, his life well-spent, who
journeyed back to his Creator 15 June
1992.
World Leader in Maritime Standard
FUJIWARA HEADS CLASSNK
Current EVP Koichi Fujiwara has been
appointed to the top three posts of
ClassNK, that of Chairman, President
and Representative Director effective 7
March 2016.
This triggered a carousel of
appointments: EVPs Yasushi Nakamura
and Tetsuya Kinoshita will continue
in their present roles and joined by
Junichiro Iida as Managing Director.
Fujiwara has replaced Noboru Ueda in
all the three posts. EVP Tetsushi Agata
has been appointed as Executive Auditor
reflecting the Society’s aim to strengthen
its auditing system.
Launching statement of Fujiwara
was bold and bearish, “Following the
recent downturn of the shipping and
shipbuilding markets, the business
environment surrounding ClassNK has
become even more challenging.
Under our new executive team, we
will work to ensure stable operations
and further enhance our corporate
governance as required of an
independent third-party organization
so that the Society can continue
contributing to the development of the
maritime industry in the long term.”
Koichi Fujiwara holds a Master of Naval
Architecture from the University of
Tokyo, and has served in Japan’s Ministry
of Transportation (now Ministry of Land,
Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism).
He proved to be an outstanding policy
maker in the maritime administration;
thus, assumed as Director-General of the
Chairman and President Koichi Fujiwara
Maritime Bureau in 2006.
In a career shift in 2007, he joined
ClassNK, appointed Managing Director
in 2010. Fujiwara was EVP by 2011
and chartered the expansion and
development ClassNK’s certification
services.
MARINO WORLD
15
Education
Cristal e-College
Graduation Rites
Father and son,
bonding in tears
of joy
TENTH and
TOUCHING
Inspiring and touching, reflection of the
Boholano heart and caring.
Such were Cristal e-College Ring Hop
rites (March 30) at the Verdant Pavilion
of Panglao Island Nature Resort and the
10th Commencement Exercises (March
31) at the campus covered court in
Tawala, Panglao. Heads up and raring to
face the seas, 358 cadets marched with
degrees in BSMarine Engineering and
BSMarine Transportation.
Equally proud, more so the parents, are
graduates of degree courses in Hotel and
Restaurant Management, Criminology,
Theology and Elementary Education.
Noticeable is the common proficiency
of the graduates in spoken English, the
global language of business. Match
this with technical knowledge and
work competency, it is not surprising
if Boholanos enrich the work legend
Filipino seafarers are showing to the
world at large.
Ring Hop.
The rite is actually a pre-graduation
ceremony where parents are present
--- farmers, fisherfolks, the common
clay. But not tonight; they are giants of
passion. The hugs, the tears, the mute
prayers of gratitude are all expressed in
opening a simple gift: their baby pictures
encased, with the Cristal e-College logo
to herald a milestone in their lives.
Academic Excellence Awardee Deck
Cadet Tom Anthony Galve gave the
welcome remarks, “Our education has
nourished not just our minds but our
16
MARINO WORLD
spirits, enriched not just our brains but
our hearts. In this education we will be
competent, confident and prepared to
face our future careers and prove this
education we will take success in the
industry.”
Academic Excellence Awardee Engine
Cadet Prince Jason Ang opened his piece
in Nippongo (Japanese) being a ward
of K-Line which gave them scholarship
grants, training and ready jobs. Ang
stresses, “(W)ords are not enough to
express how thankful all of us graduates
are towards you our loving parents and
guardians, no matter how hard we try in
life we will never be able to repay you
in full. However, we will definitely give
our best to make use of the dreams and
sacrifices you have entrusted to us.”
The graduates sung Always You, a tribute
to their parents, mentors and teachers
who stood by their side, more so when
most needed.
The night echoed with Thank Yous,
gift-giving, a shared dinner, and formal
recognition of leadership and exemplary
awards.
Guest speaker was Dr. Angel Alcala,
Chairman of both the Board of Advisers
Siliman University and the Angelo King
Center for Research and Environmental
Management. Alcala received in 1992
the prestigious Ramon Magsaysay Award
for public service, the Asia counterpart
of the Nobel Prize. He was Secretary of
DENR, Chairman of CHED, and a school
mate of Dr. Victoriano Tirol, Jr, founder
of the Cristal e-College.
Why the sea.
The land area of our country is only
300,000 square kilometers but the sea
around us is seven fold. That is why
marine transportation and marine
engineering are important aspects of
education in the Philippines.
This Cristal e-College has immense
potential to work for the welfare of
the people, particularly of Bohol and
this island, Panglao, taken as a “symbol
of honor and achievement and of
professional distinction of affiliation.”
K-Line Morohara
Cong. Relampagos
K-Line Saito
TNKC Takashima
More so, it carries with it a responsibility
to live out the bond with the college and
their classmates. The ring is the guiding
compass that ensures the graduates
stay on the path of persistence and daily
commitment to the requirements of
their profession.
Bohol First District Congressman Rene
Relampagos shared, “May you be as
flexible and strong as tin and aluminum
at the same time beautiful and durable
as a diamond. Be productive citizens of
Bohol, be productive Filipinos and, most
of all, be productive children of God.
Toshikazu Saito (wearing his captain’s
uniform) was nostalgic, “I’m just
remembering my graduation time, it was
1974, 42 years back. I joined K-Line as
Third Officer... very bad because I have
nothing actual knowledge so there are
lot of the things I need to learn.
In full force.
(On the elections of May 9) he
admonished, “… let us all be very careful
in who we chose. At the end of the day,
we are casting our votes on the kind of
society we want to have for ourselves
and for our children. The question is are
we voting for a society of violence or of
corruption?”
This is just the start of your life, so we
will support you. How to achieve your
dream? I cannot write what I did during
my K-Line time, after joining K-Line I
worked hard then never give up, then
believe yourself, nothing short cut.. You
have to work hard.”
At the commencement exercise,
Cristal-e Board of Directors are all
present: Dr. Cristeta Tirol, co-Founder
and Director of Finance; Dr. Victoriano
Tirol III, BoT Chairman and Director
for Administration; Dr. Will Tyron Tirol,
President and Ms. Jucil Marie Tirol,
Director of Academic Affairs.
Ms. Jucil Tirol underlines, “Panglao
is indeed beautiful and what adds to
its natural beauty are the values that
its people embrace. All adding up
to meaning of the achievement that
you see in them as they celebrate an
important aspect of their academic life,
their graduation.
K-Line Ship Management President
K-Line is the biggest partner of the
College. By 2008-2009, Kawasaki, Kissen,
Bright Maritime EVP Ebron with chosen cadets
Cristal e-College shares these values
as its commitment expressed in its
mission to produce young professionals
who value transformation in becoming
professionals and leaders. It highlights
integrity, excellence and social justice.”
Graduates received their diploma on
the theme, Carry on – Endeavor to
Accomplish what is Approved by God
and Man.
MARINO WORLD
17
TENTH AND TOUCHING
Cristal-E BoT with Alcala
and K-Line Family
Kaisha or K-Line of Tokyo, Japan chose
Cristal-E College as the recipient of its
Maritime Education Scholarship Program
(MESP). A full scholarship grant was
initially approved for 24 engine freshman
cadets from various testing centers
in the Philippines. The company also
facilitated construction of a 114-student
dormitory in Panglao in the latter part of
May 2009.
The scholarship program offered by
“K” Line with K-Line Maritime Academy
(KLMA) Phils. as its administrator, selects
from secondary schools (high school)
nationwide.
Those qualified to be “K” Line scholars
Cristal-E and guests
18
MARINO WORLD
are sent to Cristal-E College, “K” Line’s
accredited school. It has adopted this
to prepare its own supply of competent
marine officers onboard the ever
expanding “K” Line fleet. Their scholars
shall complete BSMarE or BSMT under
terms of theMESP with Cristal-E.
Capt. Michinori Morohara, K-Line Marine
Human Resource Group-Seafarers Policy
Team, says, “I strongly advise you to
navigate your destiny with confidence
and determination guided by the core
values of patience, loyalty and hardwork
to achieve your professional goals.”
Mr. Toshimichi Takashima, Managing
Director TNKC ROHQ- Manila, believes,
“You will be tomorrow’s future leader
of this country and also the shipping
industry…Have the courage to set your
goal and aim high…Be proud of what you
have achieved today and be ambassador
of your country to the world.”
Other partners present were C/E Akinori
Abe, K-Line Representative; Capt.
Edgardo Baratang, KLMA President, Capt.
Wilfred Garcia, VP- Veritas Maritime;
Ms. Nancy Ebron, EVP-Bright Maritime
Corp.; Capt. Cesar Omnes, PresidentNew Filipino Maritime Agencies; Capt.
Eduardo Castro, VP-Island Overseas
Transport and Ms. Aurora Maghirang,
SAVP, Development Bank of the Phils.
Feature
Jimenez, Haboc and Pimentel
Hosted by L4SS E-Library
SAFE SEAFARING MEET IN MANILA
The First Conference on Safe Seafaring
convenes April 20th in Manila, Philippines
attended by leading maritime schools,
training centers, think tanks, as well as
stakeholders from shipping industries at the
Lagoon, Hotel H2O, Ocean Park, Manila.
Sub-headed Toward Higher Quality
Maritime Education and Training: Learning
Innovations for Safe Seafaring, it is organized
by the Library for Safe Seafaring (L4SS)
and its mother maritime school, Mariners
Polytechnic Colleges Foundation in Canaman,
Camarines Sur, south of Manila, in the Bicol
region.
It is in partnership with the Elsevier
Foundation (of USA and The Netherlands),
in cooperation with the Phil Association of
Maritime Institutions (PAMI), Phil Association
of Maritime Training Centers (PAMTCI), as
well as with the international Institute of
Marine Engineering, Science and Technology
(IMAREST) and Nautical Institute (NI).
It attracted more than 100 participants:
maritime educators, trainers, cadets,
government officials, media practitioners
and other maritime stakeholders, from the
Philippines, Singapore, Japan, India, and
Papua New Guinea.
The morning opens with the colors borne
by marching cadets from the Asian Institute
of Maritime Studies (AIM). Following is the
spiritual invocation of Bishop Bartolome
Espartero, Chairman of MissiontoSeafrers.
org.on. Bagong Himig Serenata, Polytechnic
University of the Phils, led the national
anthem, Lupang Hinirang.
Live streaming, tele-conferencing with
MPCF-Canaman and Legazpi, Maritime
Academy of Asia and the Pacific in Bataan
and Dava Merchant Marine Academy
(DMMA) of Southern Phils in Davao was
made possible by the UP Information
Technology Development Center (UP-ITDC)
in cooperation with Smart Communications
which provided free internet connectivity to
the whole day event.
Salutary messages were delivered by:
•
Engr, Felix M. Oca, President, PAMI –
“We encourage this activity, we would
participate as an organization because it
helps us develop.”
•
Capt. Arsenio Padilla, President, PAMTCI
- “The growth of shipping relies on
excellent maritime people who would
not exist without the good performance
of maritime education and training.”
•
Ms. Carla Limcaoco, President, Women
in Maritime (WIMA Phil) “It is a
constant challenge to keep up with the
trends in education and the need to
make this relevant to our students.”
•
VAdm Eduardo Ma. R Santos, President,
NI & IMarEST Phils – “(C)ontinuing
professional development - this is a
very important theme for everyone.”
•
Mr. David Kelly, Director for Asia Pacific,
IMarEST – “We recognize that learning
never stops. We know that everybody
learns something new everyday.”
Opening.
“The industry has to continue with its being
dynamic leaving no stones unturned when
it comes to the subject safe seafaring. New
ideas and technologies continue to crop up.
Hence, we cannot just ignore their presence
and availability as they are meant to further
improve the amenities we offer to the
people we serve,” says Commodore Dante La
Jimenez, CEO MPCF Legazpi City & Sec-Gen
of PAMI as he welcomes participants.
Keynote speaker, Commissioner Maria
Cynthia Rose Banzon Bautista, of the
Commission on Higher Education (CHEd)
says, “The paradigm shift is from education
MARINO WORLD
19
SAFE SEAFARING MEET IN MANILA
Technology Aided Human-Centered
Solutions
to learning and then to life-long learning, the
continuing education.
•
But the profoundness of this shift lies in its
focus on its individual learners, that is the
shift. Away from teachers teaching classes to
individual learners to help them adopt to the
evolving requirements of the labor market
and better master the changing timeframes
and rhythms of individual existence.”
These were matched by experts speaking on
their fields, viz:
Conference.
The meet proper opens at mid-morning,
presided by Conference Chair, Ms. Evita
L Jimenez, also author of Library for Safe
Seafaring (L4SS); moderated by Conrad
Cordero, MPCF VP-Admin and Ms. Marian
Her. Lazaro, VP-Academics. Mr. Elmer Abad,
MPCF Public Relations Officer, was emcee in
the day’s proceedings.
Ms. Evita L. Jimenez, L4SS Project Manager
and a trustee of MPCF Board, believes, “The
conference is all about sharing resources,
knowledge and everything about what we
have to share with the rest of the seafaring
world. This is about building technology
aided global library for helping raise scientific
learning and competencies among maritime
students, teaching for seafarers along with
the stakeholders in the maritime industry.”
•
•
•
•
•
•
Maritime Situationers, Trends and
Standards
•
Maritime Challenges: Prevention and
Solutions
The Jimenez siblings, CHED
Comm Bautista and RELX Cejo
20
MARINO WORLD
•
C/E Alfredo Haboc, Deputy
Administrator for Regional Concerns,
MARINA - “Phil Policy on Maritime
Safety”
Dr. Jaime Galvez Tan, Chairman, Health
Futures Foundation and Former
Secretary, Department of Health –
“Natural Remedies for Health Issues
Confronting Seafarers”
•
Dr. Jay Batongbacal, Executive Director,
UP IMLOS (Institute of Maritime
Affairs and Law of the Seas) – “Global
SEASCAPE & Beyond”
Capt Richard Teo, Consultant, Papua
New Guinea Maritime College
– “Innovative Tools for MET and
Continuing Learning”
•
Engr Rodolfo Lozada, CEO, Galileo (TARA
apps) – “Safe APPS for Seafarers”
•
Mr. Allan Taule, Division Chief, DOST,
“Starbooks, First Digital Library”
•
Mr. Quiel Marcelo, Marketing Officer,
Smart Comm – “Smart Marino All
Abroad”
Dr. Angelica Baylon, Secretary, IMarEST
& NI Phils, Director for External Affairs,
MAAP – “Global Challenges and Current
Trends: Issues on Phil MET
Atty. Iris Baguilat, president, DoehleSeafront Crewing-Manila. “The
Competitiveness Issues of Philippines
Seafaring”
Dr. Maragtas Amante, L4SS Maritime
Studies Consultant UP VP for
Administration – “Maritime Labor
Convention: Towards a Philippine
Scorecard
•
Mr. Gerardo Borromeo, CEO-Phil
Transmarine Carriers (PTC) – “State of
Shipping”
•
Atty. Brenda V. Pimentel, Pres.,
Philippine Maritime Research Services
(PHLMRSS) – “Women in Maritime:
Learning the Ropes”
Three session focused on these perspectives:
•
“Learn to Sail Safe; Preventing Collision
on Sea”
Capt Yashwant Chhabra, Fellow,
Company of Master Mariners of India –
On top were high-caliber reactors and key
discussants:
•
Dr. Elizabeth Salabas, Former President,
PAMI
•
Atty. Edwin dela Cruz, Chairman,
International Seafarers Action
•
Bishop Bart Espartero, Chairman,
Mission Seafarers.org
•
Riina Vaher, 2nd Officer, Marlow
Navigation
•
Capt. Gaudencio Morales, President,
Integrated Seafarers of the Phil
•
Engr Nelson Ramirez, President, United
Filipino Seafarers
FEATURE
Safe Seafaring participants
Dr. Edgar Despi, Quality Management Rep for
ISO, MPCF-CCCS, presented the L4SS official
website: www.safeseafaring-org scheduled to
operate a few weeks after the conference.
including better access to MET and that
onboard gender awareness and sensitivity
training be encouraged of all ships manning
Filipino seafarers.
“This is where we collaborate with other
maritime institutions. This will be our website
for all the maritime schools and training
centers that could promote safe seafaring,”
Despi explains.
5. For the full implementation of the ILO
maritime labor convention by passing the
required laws implementing rules and
regulations.
Launch.
The Philippine edition of a book on sea
safety, Mariners’ Guide to Preventing
Collisions written by Capt. Yashwant Chhabra,
was launched at the conference.
Capt. Kamal Chadra, Capt. Rodolfo Aspillaga,
Dr. Baylon, guests from C&E Publishing, the
Mariners Board and L4SS were among the
witnesses of the promotion.
Ms. Nimpa Valdez-Jimenez, MPCF Board
Secretary delivered the Conference
Resolutions:
1. For L4SS library for safe seafaring be
adopted as an innovative tool for maritime
stakeholders under PAMI, PAMTCI and
others to enhancing MET and continuing
professional education;
2. To promote shared learning resources
accessible for free to all students, educators
as well as other stakeholders of maritime
community with the support of our partners
and sponsors;
3. To support competency based quality
learning materials like Mariner’s Guide
to Preventing Collisions by encouraging
seafarers’ acquisition in partnership with the
stakeholders.
4. To promote the rights of women seafarers
6. To integrate education on ILO MLC 2006
level in the curriculum of all maritime schools
management level courses and PDOS.
7. Resolved to supply free online learning
materials like Starbooks to maritime
education and training.
These resolutions shall be disseminated for
adoption of PAMI and PAMTCI members.
Ms. Merle Jimenez-San Pedro, President,
Mariners Polytechnic Training Center and
incoming president of WIMAPAHIL reacts,
“This is really a first. This is a historic event
for the maritime industry. Two
things, 1. It’s innovation for learning
through our library for safe seafaring
on shared resources motto; 2. We
need to expand our collaboration
with non-traditional maritime
partners like what we have seen
in DOST, Starbooks, Smart, Mr
Jun Lozada, everybody who have
not really been updated (with the
industry).”
and technology, in maritime education and
training.
Ms. Rasheele Cejo, Director of HRD, RELX
Phils received the plaque on behalf of Mr.
David A. Ruth, Executive Director, ElsevierAmsterdam, Netherlands.
Elsevier, a scientific publisher and
technological solutions provider, is a
division of RELX. Elsevier Foundation is its’
corporate charity founded over a decade
ago. Each year, it gives a million dollars for
projects focused on global health research in
developing countries and diversity in Science
Education.
It is run by Mr David Ruth in the US and
Netherlands. The Foundation donated for the
past three years over $76,000 for the Library
for Safe Seafaring. The project impacts on the
Philippines because every one of five sailors
in the world is a Filipino.
Donor.
Dr. Marilisa Ampuan, CEO MPCFCamarines Sur (with Dante and
Merle) presented a plaque of
appreciation to Elsevier Foundation
for sponsoring the L4SS Library. This
enhances the quality of learning
and advance knowledge in science
Capt. Chhabra book launch
MARINO WORLD
21
Education
OSG Rubio, DCSP Eusebio awards cadet
THE GRADUATES: SPARKLES FOR DCSP
Mindanao’s premier maritime school
presented its degree graduates April 15th,
enriching again the Philippine pool for
young, qualified seafarers for the waters
of the world.
On this defining day, DMMA College of
Southern Philippines (DCSP) held its 23rd
Commencement and 16th Recognition
Exercises at SMX Convention Center, SM
Lanang Premier, Davao City.
President Lorenzo Edwin Eusebio and
Chairman Rogelio Paramio led the
ceremonies, with the teaching faculty and
administrative staff, parents and industry
partners.
Maritime cadets led the graduates, a total
of 340; 196 BSMT, 144 BSMarE.
27 in Hotel and Restaurant Services
certification.
408 BSMT cadets completed the threeyear academic requirements; 313 for
the BSMarE program. They need the
mandatory one-year onboard experience
to complete the course.
A day earlier, a baccalaureate Mass was
celebrated by Rev. Fr. Christopher Thadeos
Ganzon at the Redemptorist church of the
Mother of Perpetual Help parish.
63 cadets graduated with academic
awards, 47 from BSMT degrees and 16 for
BSMarE;
Degree holders in other disciplines
were also prominent: 60 in Hospitality
Management, 39 in Customs
Administration, 4 in Information
Technology, 3 in Computer Science and
Scholarships.
DCSP is foremost in providing scholarship
grants for deserving students through
the sponsorship of shipping and industry
partners.
It holds the most number of scholars
under the DBP Endowment for Education
Program (DEEP) of the Development Bank
of the Phil (DBP). This is a corporate social
responsibility initiative that provides
funding support to bright and promising
youth from low-income families to pursue
further education, including maritime
education.
DEEP was launched in 2008 with P1
Billion for a 10-year implementation.
An additional P500 million has been
approved for 2018. Maritime courses are
best model being E to E, education to
employment. Thus, maritime students
enjoy a bigger share of support under the
program of study now, pay later.
DBP-DEEP officials,
mom and scholar
22
MARINO WORLD
DBP officials are regulars in the
commencement exercises. For this
Ramos of
Maine Marine
year, Senior AVP Aurora Maghirang and
Manager Merley Nonoy witnessed the
rites.
Guests from the manning companies
include:
•
C/E, Cesar Rubio, Owner’s
Representative OSG Ship
Management
•
Capt. Ayato Michika, Owner’s Rep,
Phoenix Maritime
•
Lucas Jacinto, AGM, Phoenix
Maritime
•
Jeffrey Calambuhay, Human
Resource Career Dev Manager,
Hartman
•
Guilbert Garcia, Recruitment and
Training Officer, Klaveness Maritime
Services
•
Capt. Manfred August Ramos,
Training Officer, Maine Marine Phils
•
C/M Edwin Mata, Training Officer,
Pilipinas Crown Maritime
•
DCSP Paramio
C/E Peter Hagol AVP, Veritas
Maritime
Expected to be on an exploratory visit are
Capt. Edgardo Baratang, President, K-Line
Maritime Academy and C/E Akinori Abe,
K-Line Representative. Their company has
yet to sponsor a cadet at DCSP but they
took the stage.
Currently, there are more than 40 partner
companies with ocean-going vessels.
This is aside from domestic shipping
companies, both increasing.
Sadly, guests seems to decrease where
formerly top echelons of companies
attend. A major suspect is the frequency
of energy brown-outs in Davao today.
There is a separate graduation rite by June
under the Philippine Cadet Program of
the Norwegian Shipowners’ Association.
About 100 cadets will receive diplomas for
BSMT and BSMarE courses.
Praises.
OIC Director Eduardo Bellido, Overseas
Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA)
Regional Office-XI, the commencement
speaker, was quite impressed: “I would
like to praise DMMA because they have
the built-in mechanisms or placement
arrangement not only with manning
agencies but with other companies.”
Noting assured employment, Director
Bellido adds, “(T)here are graduates who
are not able to join us today because they
are already onboard ocean-going vessels.
They have jobs already before they
graduated.”
All told, the rites also mark in stone the
achievements of DCSP. On top of quality
education and an environment conducive
to growth and personal development,
DCSP works on the practicals like
scholarship grants, company match-up,
ready jobs with reliable companies.
These are in line with DCSP Institutional
goals of sufficiency of resources, its
full utilization and safeguarding for
development and transformation,
capability building.
Hartmann Family
MARINO WORLD
23
Governance
OUR PARTYLISTS
More bills are pending, including
one for the Overseas Workers
Welfare Administration (OWWA)
to collect a membership fee of
$25 every two years to equalize
fees between land-based and
sea-based members. This makes
payment time-bound rather than
the present contract-bound as
seafarers have shorter contracts,
explains Rep. Manalo.
These fees are shouldered by the
principal or ship owner, the added
burdens that these recurring
fees cause lead some employers
look for other nationalities, adds
Manalo.
ANGKLA’s Enrile
The Commission on Elections (COMELEC)
has accredited four Partylists for the maritime
sector for the elections of May 9th, possibly
earning representations in the Lower House
of the bicameral Philippine Congress. Should
any garner the required votes, each may
nominate a maximum three representatives or
one, at least.
The system started in 2001 but only in 2013
that the maritime industry was able to qualify
for a nominee, Atty. Jesulito Manalo of
Angkla Partylist.
The three other groups are:
•
AMOR, Association of Marine Officers
and Ratings (#71 on the ballot)
•
MARINO, Samahan ng mga Marino
(#85)
•
CLASE, Central Luzon Alliance for
Socialized Education (#13)
Trailblazer.
Angkla (# 43) polled 360,497 votes to earn a
seat, the first ever for a maritime group.
For a first-termer, it fared well with four bills
enacted into laws:
•
RA10635 - The MARINA STCW Law
•
RA10668 - Amendments to the
Philippine Cabotage Law;
•
•
24
RA10698 - The Naval Architecture
Modernization Law; and
RA10706 - The Seafarers’ Protection
Act (or the Anti-Ambulance Chasing
Act).
MARINO WORLD
Angkla pursues a Five-Point Agenda: (1)
Protects seafarer’s livelihood; (2) Coordinate
with various government agencies; (3) A
Maritime High School in three pilot areas in
Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao; (4) Heighten
awareness on seafarers’ contribution to
the country; and (5) Spearhead seafarers’
participation in government.
Its five nominees are maritime and legal
experts: (1st) Rep Jesulito Manalo, son of a
ship captain, a maritime lawyer; (2nd) Capt.
Ronaldo Enrile, senior executive in a major
shipping group; (3rd) Atty. Augusto Perez Jr.;
(4th) Chief Engineer Petercon A. Lugue; and
(5th) Atty. Bernadette Yanzon Blanco.
Angkla expects to increase its vote with the
open endorsement of three major affiliations,
that of the Joint Manning Group, Filipino
Shipowners Association and Society of Naval
Architects and Marine Engineers.
6. Free passport for all OFWs
7. Push for the improvement of Magna Carta
on OFWs.
8. Repeal detrimental laws and policies
disadvantegous to seafarers
AMOR conducts Friday symposia to hear
grievances at the OFW Support Center in
Kalaw street, Manila, favorite meeting place
for seafarers. It has an office to address
legal problem in consultation with Panambo
maritime law office, owned by its First
Nominee, Atty. Jay Panambo.
It is raging against Angkla’s amending Article
223 of PD 442, the Labor Code. If passed,
awards won by seafarers are no longer “final
and executory” as these shall be placed in
escrow pending appeal of the employer.
The bill wants to ensure the restitution of
monetary awards should appeal wins. Billions
are not restituted to employers winning the
appeal since seafarer-beneficiaries have
often spent the award. Because of these, and
some atrocious claims and connivance, some
shipowners have transferred operations to
other countries.
Marino.
While it calls for teamwork with other
maritime partylists, it believes an essential
difference of delivering results, rather than
empty promises.
MARINO advocates:
Amor.
It advocates an 8-Point Agenda, viz:
1. Fight for OFW Retirement Plan (Seabased/
Landbased)
2. Scrap multiple but similar and repetitive
trainings. Review all STCW certificates not in
accordance with IMO Regulations
3. Remove age-limit and age discrimination
in employment
4. Comprehensive health plan
(hospitalization, medicine, etc.
5. Fight for the minimum wage of newly
hired (newly graduate) seaman.
AMOR’s Elaba
the wife of Davao City District II Councilor
Al Ryan Alejandre, active in the nation-wide
campaign.
CLASE.
From a regional sectoral partylist, it is now a
national operations that claim to be voice of
students, parents, teachers and schools.
It is composed of outstanding, seasoned
educators in the different provinces of Central
Luzon (Region 3) who are committed to
uplift the welfare of the youth for educational
advancement and employment. This is to
transform their lives and become productive
citizens. Ultimately, to contribute to the social
and economic development of the nation.
MARINO’s Alejandre
a. Scholarship programs nationwide,
expanding its program for two decades now
in Mindanao
b. Pass relevant laws which will benefit
seafarers in general;
Its 5th Nominee, Capt. Edwin Itable,
President of Masters and Mates Association
(MMAP) proposes an “exploratory dialogue”
to unite the four partylists in a “covenant”
allowing all to win a seat, at least.
CLASE presents a 7-Point platform:
•
c. Provide free legal assistance to seafarers in
distress; and
d. Assistance to ailing seafarers.
The group has started small but claims good
track record in Mindanao. It does not claim a
vote preserve anywhere but relies on all the
Filipino seafarers worldwide, their families,
and other stakeholders such as the maritime
education sector and the maritime industry, in
general.
Besides, it is optimistic its nominees will
attract votes coming from Luzon, Visayas
and Mindanao. All come from the seafaring/
maritime industry or maritime education
sectors and have proven track records on
Marino’s advocacy.
Marino first nominee Florence Alejandre
calls “To all the Filipino seafarers, their
families and maritime industry stakeholders
and all voters in general, let us work hand in
hand and advance a program-based reform
for the entire Maritime Industry. Let us all be
proactive. As Mayor Duterte would often say,
“We should be the change that we want to see
in this country.”
Nominees are all officers of DMMA College
of Southern Phils (DCSP): 1st, Dr. Florence
Alejandre; 2nd, Atty Reneriza Bernardo
Mambura; 3rd, 2/M Lorenzo Edwin Eusebio;
4th, Mr. Chrislam Vicente and 5th, Capt.
Rogelio Paramio.
Marino is an active and open supporter
of Mayor Rodrigo Duterte. Dr. Alejandre is
Find ways to have training ship to
fulfill the one year shipboard cadetship
training to complete BSMT and
BSMarE degrees;
•
Remedy the lack of teachers qualified as
instructors/assessor on STCW ’78, also
on simulators program of SOLAS;
•
Reform the shipboard cadetship training
program in accordance with the Training
Record Book (TRB) on domestic and
international standard;
•
Review the 40-70-90% Carrying
Capacity memo of CHEd and
MARINA;
•
Review the system on IMO Model
Courses 7.01, 7.02, 7.03 and 7.04,
etc.; examine the STCW Code 78 on
knowledge, understanding at proficiency
(KUP);
•
Change the method of demonstrating
competence for STCW ’78 (specially
Function 1: Navigation at the
management level); and
•
Study the “approved in-service
experience” used by other IMO Member
States for shorter training courses done
on land.
Its first Nominee, Dr. Rene Legaspi, is
Most Outstanding Alumnus in education
of Don Bosco Academy in 1983 and 2007,
Outstanding Fernandino in education in 2012
by the Government of San Fernando and
Most Outstanding Filipino businessman in
education from the Gawad America Awards
Foundation in 2014.
Legaspi graduated from the University of the
Philippines and has 45 years as an educator.
He is keenly aware of the need to improve
access of indigent students to education.
Currently, he is president of Central Luzon
College of Science and Technology San
Fernando and Olongapo cities. He is also
a national director of the Association
of Schools, Colleges and Universities
(PAPSCU) and a founding trustee of the
Central Luzon Higher Education.
More for growth.
Given the advocacy and credentials of
nominees, the increase in maritime partylists
is an encouraging development for the
industry. The more, the merrier; two heads are
better than one.
There is optimism for more representation
when COMELEC ruled the top 58 vote-getter
will earn representation instead of the 2% of
total votes cast on the partylist nomination.
In the past 2% would demand 400,000 votes.
With the change, a partylist with 236,000
votes already qualified for one Nominee.
This is auspicious matched with the emerging
interests of national leaders on the maritime
industry. Let alone the critical foreign
currency remittance and the volume of good
paying jobs, the maritime industry could
be the defining sector in the growth of the
Philippines.
CLASE’s Itable
CLASE campaigns for the presidential bid
of Duterte using the Masters and Mates
(MMAP) claiming 65,000 members. It
believes Duterte has the integrity, courage
and political will to introduce reforms.
MARINO WORLD
25
Opinion
ABSENTEE VOTING
NOT FOR SEAFARERS
by Capt. Victor Alviola
Capt. Victor Y. Alviola has written on
the subject in March 2012. We find
his thoughts relevant today. Hence,
we feature an abstract of his views
petitioned to COMELEC Commissioner
Lucenito N. Tagle and Hon. Elpidio F.
Barzaga, Jr., Chair of the Committee
on Suffrage and Electoral Reforms for
the Lower Chamber of Congress--The
Editors.
The Overseas Absentee Voting (OAV)
law continues to prejudice and suppress
the right to vote of 500,000 seafarers
scattered all over the globe. There are
several party list groups representing the
seafarers, but they have not done much.
Capt. Alviola has these views on
ON-LINE REGISTRATION
AND CASTING OF VOTES FOR
OVERSEAS ABSENTEE VOTERS
(OAV)
Unless RA 9189 or the Overseas
Absentee Voting Act of 2003 is revised,
seafarers cannot exercise their rights to
suffrage as they are always at sea.
A) WHY OAV LAW WILL NOT
WORK.
1. A great majority are unregistered
owing to their work: after contracts,
they go on leave for 2-3 months, return
onboard for another contract. In the
2010 national elections, out of 300,000
onboard seafarers, only 2,500 registered
but only 500 voted.
2. Registration procedures abroad is to
visit Philippine embassy or consulate
offices, present a seaman’s book
and accomplish an OAV form from
the COMELEC. What if there’s no
Philippine embassy/consulate where
their ships are docked? Or if too far from
26
MARINO WORLD
the harbor? With limited time in port,
Filipino seamen will not travel hours
from their ships (lest left behind and lose
their jobs. The Master’s concern is the
operations of his ship, not the process of
our elections.
3. Assuming in spite of difficulties
they manage to register, how can they
cast their votes at sea? If they are port,
Problem 2 above starts. 4. Postal voting requires a forwarding
address where COMELEC can send
the ballot and election paraphernalia.
How, when even the operator/owner of
a ship doesn’t know the itinerary of the
vessel? Charterer decides where to load
and deliver the cargoes, even change
of charterer after one or two voyages.
And are there mail men in the middle of
oceans to deliver election items and pick
up ballots? The only way seamen can avail of
the OAV is by an ELECTRONIC
REGISTRATION AND
VOTING system. COMELEC should
create a website whereby seafarers can
register on-line, download ballots and
cast their votes through the internet.
Advances in computer technology make
this doable.
B) MATTERS TO CONSIDER: COMELEC officials should understand
seafarers onshore must spend quality
time with their families, undergo series
of compulsory trainings for the latest
on STCW 95 requirements, validate
licenses and certificates. They have a
mindset there are far more better things
to do other than registering as absentee
voter --- a right to vote that they couldn’t
exercise in the first place whilst onboard.
The Government should allow them to
register and vote on-line to encourage
them to participate. To uphold the sanctity of ballots,
COMELEC should issue a scratch
card, similar to those sold for telephone
prepaid services, instead of an OAV
ID. Blocked PIN codes thereon may be
revealed by scratching off the opaque
covering, gain access to COMELEC
voting website, and usable only once.
C) MECHANICS
To prevent multiple registrations (as
ordinary and OAV voter):
1. Registering as OAV voter may be
done at embassies/consulates abroad or
through on-line registration. PIN codes
shall be issued where they register as
soon as the COMELEC”s computer
system accepts and confirms the new
voting status (whereby the registrant is
purged off the voter’s list printed and
posted by COMELEC in various polling
precincts. This should prevent voting
again should arrive the country on or
before election day.
2. The requirements for on-line
registration are:
2.1 Complete details of Passport;
2.2 Complete details of Seaman’s book;
2.3 Provincial and city address, district
and barangay presently registered. 3. To confirm info provided by an
applicant in an on-line registration, the
COMELEC’s computer system must
be linked with the data bank of both
DFA and MARINA. No one will attempt
to secure passports and seaman’s books
just to vote illegally. It is tedious and
difficult to produce training certificates
and documentary requirements needed.
4. The computer system should be
programmed to identify and reject any
multiple or bogus applications.
5. Those already registered as OAV
voters must again register to get their
PIN codes. D) CASTING OF VOTES
1. The PIN code shall first be entered to
access the computer and download the
sample ballot. After choice, the system
would again require them to enter the
details of their passports and seaman
books. The computer system should be
able to identify PIN codes assigned to
specific passports and seaman’s books.
2. Even if they happen to be in the
country at the time of election, they can
only cast their votes on-line, not through
the voting precincts of their home town
(In the first place, their names have
already been delisted as ordinary voters).
3. The computer system should be
programmed to reject any ballot with
improper information. 4. All ships plying the oceans of the
world have internet onboard.
E) LAND-BASED OFW
Of more than a million OFWs during the
2010 elections, only 580,000 registered.
Of these, only 150,000 voted, a “ measly
25% “ said the COMELEC.
F) OFWs AS “SWAY” VOTES
In the later part of 2011, there are about
500,000 Filipino seafarers and expected
to multiply to about 1 million seafarers’
onboard foreign trading ships. This is
about half the total global requirements. Elections have always been a numbers
game. If the maritime vote cannot be
a “sway” (or swing) vote, the Joint
Congressional Oversight Committee
(JCOC) and COMELEC may not bother
to modernize the system of election for
this sector. It would not justify spending
millions of pesos just to engage in a
selective computerization.
Therefore, this proposal to computerize
the OAV voting system must be extended
and made available not only to seafarers
but to millions of OFWs as well. The
same system of registration and casting
of votes can be applied. With OFW remittances amounting to
billions of foreign currencies, they play a
vital role in pump-priming the Philippine
economy. RA 9189 (OAV) continues to prejudice
OFWs voting rights. JCOC and
COMELEC should now seriously
consider implementing the electronic
voting system. If our government
acknowledges their significant
contributions to the growth of our
country’s economy, then they should be
given an equal opportunity to select the
political leaders of their choice. Fairmont and Magsaysay Founder
ROBERT C.F. HO, RESTS AT 96
Robert C. F. Ho, founder and Chairman
of the Fairmont and Magsaysay Group
of Companies, peacefully joined the
Lord last April 10, 2016 in Hong Kong
at the age of 96.
From Shanghai, he studied at
Columbia Business School, married
Anita Magsaysay Ho+, and settled
in Manila in 1948. He established
Magsaysay and actively worked with
colleagues in the Filipino Shipowners’
Association to draft and push for the
passing of the Philippine Overseas
Shipping Act, which he believed would
be vital for the country’s development
especially in its recovery from the
aftermath of the Second World War.
In 1963, he established Fairmont
Shipping in Tokyo, Hong Kong and
Vancouver, where he brought his
family to live. He built an international
shipping business with strong ties in
Japan and Europe.
He loved the maritime industry, the
global nature of the shipping sector,
especially the opportunity it gives to
many Filipinos to develop meaningful
professional careers in seafaring.
He built a strong Magsaysay and
Fairmont culture guided by his strong
values of integrity, respect, fairness
and consideration for others.
Magsaysay and Fairmont
management, employees, seafarers
and their families, will continue to be
inspired by the spirit of his philosophy.
He is survived by his five children,
Helen, Linda, Doris, Robert Jr. and
Steven, fourteen grandchildren and
ten great-grandchildren.
The Final Farewell Blessing was held
followed by Interment on April 17th.
In lieu of flowers, the family
appreciated donations in memory
of Robert C. F. Ho to support the
programs of Caza San Miguel (Center
for the Arts of Zambales) Foundation.​
MARINO WORLD
27
Education
Magsaysay Pres.
and CEO Ho leads
the groundbreaking
MMMA IN ASIA PACIFIC
A maritime school that shall impact
on Asia and the Pacific region. This,
Cavitenos were told to expect within
two years as a P1.8-billion maritime
school, modern and high-tech, shall rise
on 13.2- hectare along Trinidad avenue,
Barangay Salitran IV, Dasmarinas City.
This is the MOL/Magsaysay Maritime
Academy (MMMA) named after the
forging of Mitsui OSK Lines (MOL)
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MARINO WORLD
with the Magsaysay Maritime (MMC),
a major outfit in the past 26 years in
Philippine maritime industry.
The synergy shall train for excellent and
competent seafarers, possibly also to
manage over 900 ocean-going vessels
in its global fleet. And to service the
rising demand for merchant mariners
worldwide.
by Danny Q. Junco
Groundbreaking was March 8th,
as corporate executives of MMMA
were joined in by Dasmarinas City
officials with the District Congressman,
Barangay Captain, and select guests.
Part of the ceremonies is the embedding
of a time capsule, containing the project
development map, shovels and spades
symbolically used in the rituals. Thus,
for the mundane--- more importantly, the
The synergy shall train for
excellent and competent seafarers
priest passionately implored
The Almighty to bless the
project with success the vision
and the mission being of the
greater benefit for the youth
and the industry.
training which may extend for a year
or two before they could be onboard
ships. Another eight to 10 years must
be experienced before being captains,
observes Ms. Doris Magsaysay-Ho,
president and CEO of Magsaysay, Inc.
MIS grounds at Via Verde Subdivision,
Barangay San Agustin II, Dasmarinas
City.
Teaming.
MMMA graduates of the four-year
course may be absorbed immediately.
Their marine technical know-how earned
from the school meet international
standard, even those of International
Conventions in force.
But the best.
MOL and MMC expanded the
two-year course of Magsaysay
Institute of Shipping (MIS)
into a four-year degree
diploma under MMMA. The
upgrade was molded 2015
and realized with the positive
endorsement of the Technical
Panel of Maritime Education
(MET), Maritime Industry
Authority (MARINA) and
Commission on Higher
Education (CHEd).
MIS was founded in 1992 by a
triumvirate: MMC, MOL and
Fairmont Shipping of Hong
Kong. The maritime school
was able to produce 5,000
graduates, including 1,000
merchant marine officers now
onboard ships cruising the
oceans.
These seafarers are welltrained and comfortable with
cutting-edge technology of
modern ships. They make good
income, provide well for their families,
and remit crucial currency for the
national economy.
Targets.
Timeline for MMMA is 2018 to start
its BS in Marine Deck and Engine,
four-year courses. These courses
are also offered in maritime schools
nationwide to supplement the usual
two-year certification considered below
international seafaring standard.
In the past, the two-year course cadet
graduates would first undergo on-the-job
No stone is left unturned to produce
graduates excellent on knowledge
and competency. After all, Ms. Ho
says MMMA is envisioned to be the
leading private maritime academy
in the Asia-Pacific given excellent
facilities, modern equipment, calibrated
curriculum, teaching faculty and learning
environment.
Phasing.
The student complex building can
accommodate 900 students. But only 300
qualified students will be accepted for
2018, then 300 each for 2019 and 2020
to total 900 in three years.
MMC President Marlon Rono assures
all expenses by the students will
be shouldered by MMMA; but, the
Development Bank (DBP) may pitch
in for tuition fees as in the past with the
former MIS.
The four-year course in MMMA may
cost some P600,000, estimates MIS
Director Alex Enriques who also says
this is “regained” by MMMA in value
added by graduates when they shine out
in their maritime careers coming from
the portals of MMMA.
On March 8th, Batch 5 of 85 cadets of
MIS graduated from the two-year course.
Associate of Deck and Engine Seafarer.
Themed Academe-Industry Linkage
Program, ceremonies were held at the
MIS has offered two-year course since it
was established 26 years back.
Rono takes pride on MMMA’s ShipIn Campus, a virtual ship with engine,
lights and navigational equipment but
stationary on land. He also says this
campus is the most expensive among
all other facilities to be built which will
house laboratories, workshops, latest
simulators, main engine and auxiliaries
--- unwilling to quote a firm cost estimate
(but, may be suggestive of readiness to
fund on what should take to realize the
ideal).
As a whole, MMMA facility comprises
student complex building, student
dormitory, academic building, swimming
pool, oval track and field for students’
physical fitness, a chapel and prayer
room are all elegant and beautiful replete
with modern architectural designs. The
student complex will house the school
administration, auditorium, library,
learning resource centers and a cafeteria;
and firefighting training facility.
The MMMA facilities shall be
constructed by Mitomo, a Japanese
contractor of known probity,
acknowledged by peers as one of the best
in the industry.
Ms. Ho notes 90% of world cargo are
carried and delivered by ships. She
believes, “Shipping is a growing industry
despite some of the economic upheavals
around the world.” And MMMA shall
fuel the global maritime industry with
merchant mariners, hands and officer,
in the engine and on deck --- educated
and trained by an outstanding maritime
school in the region; not the first but
certainly the best in Asia and the Pacific,
to start with.
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PROMOTE MARITIME CAREERS FOR WOMEN
FAME & WIMAPHIL FORGE PARTNERSHIP
The Filipino Association for Mariners’
Employment (FAME) and Women
in Maritime Philippines Association
(WIMAPHIL) signed a Memorandum of
Understanding (MOU) on April 15, 2016
sealing strategic alliance and tactical
partnership to promote the greater
integration of women in the seafaring
profession.
Through this, FAME and WIMAPHIL will
promote the need for an integrated
strategy among stakeholders on the
recruitment, training and career
development of female maritime
professionals. At the same time they will
create an awareness in their respective
spheres of influence of the need for
appropriate facilities and the promotion
of their welfare on board.
Both FAME and WIMAPHIL recognize the
added value of integrating women into
Front: Ericson M. Marquez (FAME VP-External Affairs), Carla S. Limcaoco (WIMAPHIL President),
Marlon R. Roño (FAME President) and Merle Jimenez-San Pedro (WIMAPHIL Treasurer)
Back: Engr. Sammuel T. Lim (Director), Engr. Elmer A. Pulumbarit (Director), Atty. Rodello B. Ortiz
(Board Secretary), Carmen B. Rebusi (Treasurer), Capt. Teodoro B. Quijano (Director), Capt. Emmanuel
L. Regio (Director), and Mr. Jose Albar G. Kato (Director)
the seafaring sector to contribute to the
sustainability of the Philippine leadership
in the global maritime manpower sector.
The agreement was signed at the Manila
Yacht Club.
NEW VIGOR
FOR SWAPI
SWAPI new leadership
The new leadership for Seamen’s Wives
Foundation (SWAPI), took oath March
20, Palm Sunday, symbolic of renewed
vigor on its 38th year.
This coincides with the global
celebrations of Women’s Month whose
goals and action are always supported by
SWAPI of the Philippines.
Officers for Year 2016 are:
•
Mrs. Medieva V. Valle, President
•
Mrs. Eva Papera Malaki, Vice
President
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•
Mrs. Corazon N. Lorenzo, Treasurer
•
Mrs. Ninfa J. Borgonia, Secretary
•
Mrs. Virginia De Vera, Auditor
•
Mrs. Zenaida G. Sator, PRO
Fr. John Edgar Dumali, Our Lady of Peace
Parish-Paranaque, gave the traditional
blessings at the office of Dr. Alice
Lamigo, founder. SWAPI was established
in 1978, now a Foundation to expand
services focused on maritime families
and concerns.
After the ceremonies, the ladies went to
plan activities for the year. At a break,
they broke bread on a potluck from the
membership.
The new officers were elected February
27th, at the Post Valentine party held in
Ireneville subdivision, Paranaque.
Past presidents are de-facto advisers
like Dr. Nenita A. Pahed (immediate past
president) and Dr. Alice Lamigo, founder.
Honorary memberships were granted
to Atty. Tess Lora, former commissioner,
National Labor Relations Commission
(NLRC) and Ms. Lyn Bacani, publisher of
Marino World and Maritima.
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