PH votes to amend MLC 2006 during 103rd ILO confab
Vol. XIX
No. 6
MAY - JUNE 2014
http://www.unitedfilipinoseafarers.com.ph
>>Page 25
PHP 25.00
“Daang Matuwid” goes the way of Titanic
MARINA collecting
charges instead of
milestones
MARINA and UFS
in War and Peace
>>page 55
MAY - JUNE 2014
TINIG NG MARINO
3
“Daang Matuwid” goes the way of Titanic
MARINA collecting charges instead of milestones
by Kidon G. Alcober
If there’s one thing that the
current leadership of Maritime
Industry Authority (MARINA) has
done quite successfully, it is to
accumulate corruption charges
through the years.
The stint of MARINA top
management led by Dr. Maximo
Mejia Jr. leaves a trail of gross
incompetence, lack of foresight and
even replete with flirtation with graft
and corruption.
But despite the back-to-back
charges filed against the MARINA
leaders, Malacanang chose to look
the other way around.
On calls for Mejia to resign for
incompetence, Malacanang said it
was sticking with their man.
The cases taken all together
were luminous reflection of the
perceived
incompetence
of
MARINA’s top management, which
have resulted to untold sufferings
and risks to the seafaring sector.
Among these cases is the
graft charge slapped by maritime
stakeholders led by United Filipino
Seafarers (UFS) for the highly
questionable appointments inside
MARINA.
The appointments reeked of
nepotism and were a big blow to
the government’s “Daang Matuwid”
mantra.
The UFS-initiated case filed
before the Office of the Ombudsman
accuses Administrator Mejia and
three of his three sub-alterns of
illegal appointments in the agency.
The graft case stemmed from
the twin appointments made by
MARINA deputy administrator Gloria
Bañas involving her two relatives to
key posts in the agency.
Bañas, with tacit blessing of
Mejia, has appointed to key MARINA
positions relatives Melinda Victoria
and Rizal Victoria. The two MARINA
employees are married to each
other.
Melinda, the sister of Banas,
was upgraded to Salary Grade 17,
with a rank of executive assistant,
from being a lowly worker at
MARINA despite lacking the basic
requirement of a college diploma.
Rizal, a brother-in-law of
Banas, was subsequently appointed
as Officer in Charge-Division chief
of MARINA’s Maritime Safety Audit
Division – a sensitive position that
requires special expertise and
background.
UFS president Nelson Ramirez
said Bañas and Mejia should be
held liable “for dishonesty, grave
misconduct and conduct grossly
prejudicial to the best interest of
service.”
MARINA at dawn. When will this agony end?
Ramirez
explained
that
Mejia, by his act of appointing
Melinda Victoria to a position of
Salary grade 17 that requires a
minimum qualification of bachelor’s
degree, “committed an intentional
wrongdoing, a deliberate violation of
the merit and fitness standard.”
“The intent to violate the
law and the flagrant disregard of
established rules are present when
it is very clear in the Personnel Data
Sheet of Melinda Victoria and as
part of her 201 file that she is not
a college graduate or a holder of a
baccalaureate degree,” Ramirez
said in his complaint.
Bañas, according to Ramirez,
should also be held liable for grave
misconduct and conduct grossly
prejudicial to the best interest
of service together with Melinda
Victoria when, knowing fully well that
Melinda Victoria is not qualified for
the position, other than her being
the sister-in-law, recommended her
promotion, and the latter by applying
and accepting the appointment.
“With manifest partiality and
evident bad faith in having a hand
in the appointment of spouses
Victoria, respondents Mejia and
Bañas caused unwarranted benefit
and advantage to them equivalent
to the difference in their previous
salary and other entitlements and
their present one,” Ramirez said in
his complaint.
It was learned that Melinda
Victoria is receiving a monthly salary
of P15,365 while Rizal Victoria, on
the other hand, gets representation
and transportation allowances of
P10,000 monthly.
“The government need not
disburse said amounts because the
appointments of spouses Victoria are
void from the beginning having been
issued contrary to law,” Ramirez
stressed.
The UFS president asked
the Ombudsman to immediately
suspend Mejia and the three other
MARINA officials while their cases
are being heard.
The UFS has likewise lodged a
nepotism case before the Office of
the President against Bañas for the
said appointment.
Only
recently,
the
UFS
petitioned Justice Secretary Leila
de Lima to put a “Lookout” order on
Banas every time she travels outside
the country.
Bañas, according to Ramirez,
should -- if warranted – not be allowed
to travel abroad since she was a
continued on page 5
4
MAY - JUNE 2014
TINIG NG MARINO
EDITORIAL
MARINA’s growth of discontent
The news that MARINA
continues to grow is a welcome
development in the maritime
industry.Whether the news is true or
just an empty brag, it remains to be
seen.
The issuance of SIR SHEET,
which was the first of its kind in the
world; the new but inferior SIRB
sans symbology and biometrics; and
the maritime disasters that until now
cry for closure are the exact opposite
of the positive images that MARINA
tries to EVOKE.
MARINA, under its new
management, has promised us that
we could look forward to something
great and exciting. But the only
thing that stirs up excitement
among MARINA employees and
its stakeholders is the possible
incarceration of its key officials
because of ineptitude and graft.
At present, seafarers are not
excited over the long and winding
queues and the delay of the issuance
of CoP that had been pestering them
for more than a year.
Filipino seafarers who happen
to work onboard an EU ship are not
excited over the prospect of coming
home jobless because their maritime
leaders have bungled their job of
putting the “maritime house” in order.
As the saying goes, things are easier
said than done.
MARINA
promised
us
deliverance but only succeeded in
delivering us into perdition.
The assurance that we can
finally hurdle the EMSA audit this
coming October is some kind of a
broken record that has been played
out through the years. All these
years, the assurance was always
SOUNDING LEAD
there but the corrective measures
to our deficiencies are very far from
being addressed. Last March 13,
2014, the proponents of the Single
Maritime Administration bill were
drumbeating that we’ve already
hurdled the EMSA threat because
the President signed the Single
Maritime Administration bill into law. A few days later, we received
EMSA’s final adverse report telling
us once again that we have not
learned our lesson.
In the days ahead, maritime
stakeholders will find out that the
only tangible growth in MARINA
right now is the seed of discontent
bursting into its logical conclusion.
CAPT. REYNOLD ‘BURT’ M. SABAY
Man-machine ratio
The latest experience by METIs who
have signified intentions to continue to
provide maritime education and training
services, particularly the Management
Level Courses (MLC) was unsurprisingly
awakening. The Man-Machine Ratio
is strictly implemented and must be
complied with before an approval for
accreditation to deliver the MLC is
granted. This column commends the
Administration in doing so.
However, whether this is done fair
and square to all MET Providers have
yet to be confirmed. Another challenge
inherent to the implementation of the
man-machine ratio is the monitoring and
control, a perennial finding of the EMSA
for the last eight years!
What is the man-machine ratio
in the first place? You have got to be a
strong believer to visualize the truthful
wisdom of the said requirements for
accreditation. There was never a line of
definition of the man-machine ratio but
definitely there is a requirement. This
column believes in the wisdom of the
appropriate man-machine ratio whilst
we do NOT contest the implementation.
While the man-machine ratio is not
reflected in the course framework itself
of the MLC, it is somehow reflected in
the checklist for inspection. It is also
reflected in the previous issuances by
the defunct MTC and duly signed by
then Executive Director Liberty Casco.
From our soundings, the currently
implemented man-machine ratios are:
1:1 for dry bulk cargo simulators desktop
version; 1:4 for full mission engine room
simulators; 1:2 for ECDIS Simulators
and nothing specific for full mission and
entry level bridge simulators.
continued on page 28
Nelson P. Ramirez Executive Editor
Arianne Ramirez Managing Editor
James S. Mante Assistant Editors
Myrna F. Virtudazo
JF A. Balbaguio Layout
Regie Frank A. Yalong artists
Ranillo Pineda
Rey P. Demonteverde Production Staff
Fr. James KolinNew York Bureau
Engr. Samson Tormis Greece Bureau
Corry Llamas-Konings Rotterdam Bureau
Bob Ramirez
Philip RamirezSingapore
Minabelle Siason Belgium Bureau
Capt. Arturo Cañoza Japan Bureau
Sapalo Velez Bundang & Bulilan Law Offices
Legal Consultants
Tinig ng Marino (Voice of the Seafarer) is published by the United Filipino Seafarers, a duly registered Philippine maritime union. Editorial office: 4th/F Room 402, Gedisco Terraces Bldg., 1148 Roxas
Blvd., Ermita, Manila, Philippines; Telephone nos.: (632) 524-4888;
525-5806; Fax (632) 524-2336; E-mail: ufs_07@yahoo.com;
Website: http://www.unitedfilipinoseafarers.com.ph. Materials published in this paper may be reprinted provided proper acknowledgment to Tinig ng Marino and the author, if indicated, is made.
MAY - JUNE 2014
TINIG NG MARINO
7, 2014?” Ramirez said in the charge
sheet.
from page 5
“Daang Matuwid”...
He noted the absurdity of
executing first the Memorandum
of Agreement (MoA) ahead of the
issuance of the award notice to APO.
respondent in the administrative
case of Nepotism filed before the
Office of the President last January
24, 2014 where the imposable
penalty is dismissal from service.
Ramirez has also cited the following:
He also said Bañas faces a
possible preventive suspension
stemming from the cases.
“We are seeking the preventive
suspension of Bañas from the office
of the Ombudsman, Ramirez said.
He added: “Allowing Bañas to
leave the country will send a wrong
signal to the justice seekers that
those in government can flagrantly
and unashamedly defy laws, rules
and regulations and still enjoy
the privilege of travelling to other
jurisdictions to their whims using the
government’s money.”
Aside from the nepotism
charges, UFS has dropped another
legal bombshell on the MARINA top
management over its mishandling
of a procurement contract related to
the supply of SIRB documents.
SIRBs
or
the
Seafarer
Identification Record Book (SIRB)
is the virtual passport of all Filipino
seafarers seeking employment in
international maritime fleet.
Months ago, Filipino seafarers
and other stakeholders staged
a series of protest rally in front
of MARINA building denouncing
the agency for the delay in the
processing and issuance of SIRBs,
which have put in grave risk their
employment viability in global fleet.
UFS said Mejia and his cohorts
should be jailed for bungling the
multi-million SIRB procurement deal
that was allegedly attended with
graft and corruption.
Ramirez said Mejia and
his deputy, Bañas and the rest
of the bids and awards panel
committed
“Dishonesty,
Grave
Abuse of Authority, Conduct Grossly
Prejudicial to the Best Interest of
service and Gross Neglect of Duty”
in the questionable awarding of the
SIRB contract to Asian Productivity
Office (APO) Production Unit.
This is the gist of the latest
case UFS filed before the Office of
Atty. Gloria V. Bañas
the Ombudsman.
Also included in the case is
Jaime Aldaba, general manager of
APO.
Ramirez alleged that MARINA
appeared to have tailored-fit
the contract for APO over stateowned National Printing Office
(NPO) and has executed the
contract in questionable fashion
in clear disregard of the laws on
procurement.
The case likewise said APO,
after
being
awarded
the
contract, has
failed to deliver
a single SIRB
document that
resulted
to
the
shortage
and
long
lines in front
of
MARINA
offices.
The long
lines over SIRB
booklet
was
among
the
issues raised
by seafarers in
demanding for
the resignation
of Mejia.
“What is
the basis of the
award to APO?
Was
there
evaluation
or
postqualification
done?
How
come
the
MoA
(Annex
“A”) is dated
February 6 and
the Notice of
Award to APO
(Annex “B”) is
dated February
◘ The TOR (Terms of Reference) of
MARINA for the procurement of
SIRB was deliberately changed to
accommodate and favour APO as
against the NPO which has been
supplying the SIRB ever since,
through the removal of important
salient features
◘ The change in the TOR and
procurement timeline failed to
consider the need to replenish the
buffer stock of MARINA to meet
the demands of the seafarers
for SIRB; and,the TOR and its
implementation failed to comply
with the requirement of RA 9184
and GPPB Resolution 2010-05.
The UFS leader said APO
was supposed to deliver 20% of the
5
200,000 SIRB booklets last February
26, 2014 and another tranche last
April 15, which all did not materialize.
“To date, MARINA failed to
issue the requisite SIRB owing to the
fact that there is no supply yet from
APO despite the sufficient lapse
of time, in violation of the contract
between MARINA and APO, to the
damage and prejudice of the Filipino
Seafarers,” Ramirez said.
Tinig ng Marino has tried to get
the side of the MARINA officials but
to no avail.
Mejia, at the height of the
protest rallies against him, turned
personal by hanging derogatory
banners at the MARINA offices
attacking the rally organizers led by
Ramirez.
As the cases grind slowly –
typical of all corruption cases in the
country – maritime stakeholders
have all the right reasons to suspect
that the people tasked to steer the
industry were never qualified to lead.
6
MAY - JUNE 2014
TINIG NG MARINO
MPHRP responds
to prize honour
Commenting on Seatrade
Award to the Maritime Piracy
Humanitarian Response Programme
(MPHRP)
for
‘Support
and
assistance to seafarers and their
families affected by maritime piracy’,
MPHRP chair Peter Swift said: “We
are most grateful for this recognition
of the Programme’s work supporting
seafarers and their families before,
during and after incidents of piracy
and armed robbery.
“The
award
recognises
the exceptional dedication and
commitment of the MPHRP team
members, the tremendous support
provided by the Programme’s
partners, and the very generous
financial assistance of the ITF
Seafarers’ Trust, the TK Foundation
and Seafarers UK.
Swift continued: “The award
also recognises the hardship and
suffering of many seafarers and
their loved ones who are affected
by piracy, for some of whom the
MPHRP is often the only provider of
support and assistance.
He concluded: “Today we also
remember the nearly 50 seafarers
and fishers still held hostage in
Somalia, all of whom have been
held for more than two years – some
for several years – and encourage
everyone who can do so to tirelessly
work for their prompt release and to
support and assist them and their
families.”
Approximately
500,000
seafarers annually sail in seas where
pirates operate.
The MPHRP is a pan-industry
alliance of ship owners, managers,
manning agents, insurers, maritime
unions, and professional and welfare
associations working together with
governmental and intergovernmental
organisations, which has been
specifically established to assist
and support these seafarers and
address many of the concerns that
they express.
By concentrating on the
three elements of a piracy incident
– before, during and after – the
Programme addresses the safety of
seafarers by:
◘ Developing
good
practice
guides and pre-departure piracy
awareness training programmes,
and conducting workshops and
courses,
◘ Operating a 24-hour, toll-free,
international
helpline,
and
encouraging information sharing
and plan implementation
◘ Providing direct support and
assistance
with
repatriation,
homecoming
and
recovery,
including
the
establishment
of professional and welfare
secondary support networks.
The Programme was conceived
in 2010 and started its work in 2011.
The first work involved information
sharing among the partners to
develop good practice guides and
thereafter piracy awareness training
courses for seafarers, companies
and responders, together with
associated Train the Trainers
programmes.
Programmes and courses have
been conducted by the MPHRP and
also in conjunction with governments,
training
establishments,
the
IMO, NATO/MSCHOA (Maritime
Shipping Centre-Horn of Africa),
the US Maritime Administration
and companies in more than 20
countries which have been attended
by over 5,000 people. It is estimated
that the MPHRP programmes and
courses rolled out by others have
to date reached more than 20,000
seafarers.
Direct support and assistance
has also been provided by the
MPHRP and through the programme
by its partners and others to many
thousands of seafarers who have
returned after being attacked or held
hostage. The MPHRP has assisted
many families of seafarers during
their captivity, including those who
are still being held.
For more details please contact
Peter Swift on email: petermswift@
gmail.com. Tel: +44 (0) 1344 627430.
Mobile: +44 (0) 7753 573 760
MAY - JUNE 2014
TINIG NG MARINO
7
8
MAY - JUNE 2014
TINIG NG MARINO
WORKERS’ VANGUARD
CONG. EMMELINE Y. AGLIPAY
Representative, DIWA Partylist
Congress of the Philippines
aglipay.ey@congress.gov.ph
The road is clear
Last month, I touched upon the
need for a single maritime authority
in the Philippines, one body that
will be in charge of studying all
maritime conventions to which the
Philippines is a party, and determine
all our responsibilities under them. I
mentioned that such an entity would
address one of the major concerns of
the last the European Maritime Safety
Agency (EMSA) audit, and that a bill
had already been filed -- House Bill
No. 3766 -- which would establish
Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA)
as the single maritime administration
responsible for the implementation
and enforcement of international
agreements or covenants related to
the 1978 International Convention on
Standards of Training, Certification
and Watchkeeping for Seafarers
(STCW). On the flipside, I also
discussed some of the complaints
leveled against this proposal, and
outlined my stand that (a) given the
urgency of our need, flaws and all,
the MARINA is simply the existing
government agency best positioned
under law to take on the mantle of
the single maritime administration;
and (b) Steps should be taken to
create the ideal unified, centralized,
highly specialized agency, one that
the industry deserves, whether it
be through overhauling MARINA or
creating an entirely new entity.
However, the above are not the
only reasons why I am an advocate
for the creation of a single maritime
agency. Even were it not an issue
raised under the EMSA audit, the
simple fact is that, all else being equal,
having a single maritime agency with
jurisdiction over every aspect of the
regulation of seafarers will greatly
simplify the lives of seafarers. A
preponderance of agencies with
overlapping and sometimes conflicting
jurisdictions leads to confusion,
inefficiency, red tape, and much
finger pointing. It’s easy to disclaim
responsibility when something goes
wrong when one can point to another
agency or agencies as being the ones
really in charge of enforcing this or
that particular regulation. This kind of
inefficiency and confusion is a burden
on seafarers, costing both time and
money that would be better spent
elsewhere.
Under House Bill No. 3766, the
sole agency that seafarers would
need to concern themselves with
is MARINA. The agency would “[a]
ssume all powers and functions
of the Professional Regulation
Commission (PRC), the Commission
on Higher Education (CHED), the
Technical Education and Skills
Development Authority (TESDA), the
Department of Health (DOH) and
the National Telecommunications
Commission (NTC) relative to the
issuance, validation, verification,
correction, revocation or cancellation
of
certificates
of
competency,
endorsement,
proficiency
and
documentary evidence required of all
seafarers and all such other matters
pertaining to the implementation of
the STCW Convention.” This would
include the examination, licensing and
certification system for marine deck
and engine officers, the monitoring
and verification of compliance with
the standards of ratings, and the
issuance of all relevant certifications.
Of course, constituting a single
maritime authority, while greatly
beneficial in itself, is not on its own
sufficient to adequately protect
seafarers. More action is required,
and the most essential is the passage
of the Magna Carta for Seafarers.
House Bill No. 122, the bill I have
filed in Congress, will apply to both
domestic and international shipping,
to all Filipino seafarers, whether
working on a coastal or ocean-going
ship under the Philippine registry,
or working on ships under a foreign
registry. The Magna Carta will
guarantee the rights given under the
Maritime Labor Convention of 2006,
including the following:
◘ Right to Just Terms and Conditions
of Work.
◘ Right to Self-organization, to
Engage in Collective Bargaining
and to participate in Democratic
Exercises.
◘ Right to Educational Advancement
and Training at Reasonable and
Affordable Costs.
◘ Right to Relevant Information.
◘ Right to Humane Conditions
of Work and Right to Just
Compensation.
◘ Right to Legal Representation.
◘ Right to Consultation on Matters
Affecting Seafarers.
◘ Right to an Eight-hour day: with
one day of rest per week and
rest on public holidays, and with
limits to maximum hours of work/
minimum hours of rest.
◘ Right to Repatriation, Costs
Borne by Ship Owner unless the
seafarer is discharged for cause,
or requests early termination.
These shall be in addition to all
other privileges and benefits currently
enjoyed by seafarers.Work on the bill
proceeds as we speak. Mast May 14,
we constituted a Technical Working
Group for the consolidation of the bills
that seek to create a Magna Carta for
Seafarers. This TWG will consider
the output of the Maritime Industry
Tripartite Council (MITC), an entity
organized by the DOLE which has
been attempting for several months to
consolidate my bill with that of Senator
Jinggoy Estrada. It is believed that the
consolidation may be completed by
June, before the sine die adjournment
of Congress.
It is my hope that this shall be
the case. Between the single maritime
authority and the Magna Carta for
Seafarers, the path to better lives for
our seafarers is clear, but we will need
your support to make it a reality.
MAY - JUNE 2014
TINIG NG MARINO
9
MARINA doubles ‘effort’ to prepare for 3rd EMSA audit
The Maritime Industry Authority
(MARINA), wracked by allegations of
incompetence, nepotism and corruption,
is doubling efforts to finally hurdle the
next audit of the European Maritime
Safety Agency (EMSA).
“The
audit
team
will
be
back in the Philippines to do spot
checking sometime during the end of
September or beginning of October.
We acknowledge that a negative
performance could mean withdrawal
[of recognition of Philippines-issued
seamen’s books], so we are setting all
our guns toward making it by October,”
MARINA administrator Maximo Mejia
said.
Mejia is the subject of a resign
petition by militant groups in the
maritime community for his alleged
management incompetence that led to
the twin EMSA audit failures, which all
took place under his watch.
Filipino seafares also took him
to task for the long lines in securing
their documents and the shortage in
the SIRBs, which give passage to any
seafarer working in foreign fleet.
The European Delegation has
requested
Philippine
authorities
overseeing the administration of
training, education and certification
of Filipino seamen to submit a report
in July on the deficiencies that the
European auditing team has observed
during its April audit.
The report, Mejia said, will tackle the
observations of the audit team on three
areas: general recommendations made
by the team on maritime education,
evaluation of the implementation of
the management-level or advanced
subjects, and evidence that there is
no longer conflict of interest among
assessors of education.
Mejia, likewise, said the European
audit team has not given a definite
deadline to meet objectives and face
non-recognition of Philippines-issued
certificates, but admitted the risk is
always there.
“The risk is always there. It’s not
set in stone na kung hindi tayo pumasa
in October…November wala na. The EU
has not made any such threat anything
like that, though theoretically anything is
possible,” Mejia said.
The Emsa is tasked to assess
countries supplying EU memberstates with seamen and make
recommendations to the European
Commission on these supplying
countries as to the standards being
upheld in the said countries.
The European Commission’s
Director General for Mobility and
Transport has received the Emsa’s
report of the recent October audit of the
Philippines.
The body noted that while the
Philippines is making progress on
adjusting its system to the the standards
set by the International Convention on
Standards of Training, Certification and
Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW),
further work is needed.
The STCW convention sets
the global minimum qualifications for
masters, officers and watch personnel
engaged in international shipping.
A statement from the European
Delegation early in May noted that
failure to resolve any remaining issue
may result in the loss of EU recognition
of Philippines-issued certificates for
seamen.
Early in April, Transportation
Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya
revealed that more than 400 000 Filipino
seamen are deployed abroad and are
35-40 percent of the world’s mariners.
Data from the Philippine Overseas
Employment Administration indicate
that in 2012, 1.8 million Filipino workers
were deployed abroad,im which 400,000
of them are sea-based workers.
10
MAY - JUNE 2014
TINIG NG MARINO
The Unholy Alliance
NLRC: A vanguard of justice
by Atty. Bantuas M. Lucman
Senior Partner
BALBIN | LUCMAN & PARTNERS
Filipino seafarers have been
well known for their competence in
manning ocean-going vessels around
the world, making the Philippine
seafaring industry earn its reputation
as “Seafaring Capital of the World”. As
such, it plays a vital role in sustaining
the Philippine economy.
The government in recognizing
such important role of the Philippine
seafaring industry in our economy has
devised and promulgated laws and
measures to protect both the interest
of the seafarers and the seafaring
companies.
Among these measures is
the creation of Philippine Overseas
Employment
Administration
–
Standard
Employment
Contract
(POEA-SEC), pursuant to the
mandate under Executive Order
No. (EO) 247 dated July 21, 1987
under which the POEA-SEC was
created: “to secure the best terms
and conditions of employment of
Filipino contract workers and ensure
compliance therewith”[1] and “to
promote and protect the well-being of
Filipino workers overseas.”[2]
filed by seafarers who willingly or
unwittingly connive with unscrupulous
representatives of local correspondent
in cahoots with the ambulance
chasing lawyers of seafarers to force
unwarranted payments of benefits.
opportunity to lure unsuspecting
seafarers to file for bogus disability
claims in view of substantial monetary
consideration they may draw from the
manning agencies who opt to settle
the case.
Recently however, the very
measures adopted for the protection
of Philippine seafarers have been the
source of abuse by the unscrupulous
few.
Undeniably, man’s greed has
always been the ultimate driving
force that compels seafarers through
prodding of their ambulance chasing
lawyers to connive with unscrupulous
lawyers of local correspondent to
file baseless claims for benefits, be
that under the POEA-SEC or the
seafarer’s CBA.
The scheme of claiming for
baseless disability benefits, and
forcing a settlement have become
a plague which slowly and steadily
gained ground and has crept its
way to the annals of the Philippine
seafaring industry.
The
Philippine
seafaring
industry has been pervaded by cases
for frivolous claims of disability or
death benefits. These cases are
Capitalizing on such greed,
unscrupulous representatives of
local correspondent and ambulance
chasing lawyers saw this as an
When this writer’s godfather, Capt.
Reynaldo D. Casareo, president of
Cargo Safeway, Inc., discovered the
unscrupulous lawyers and seafarers’
scheme of claiming for baseless
disability benefits, he immediately
initiated actions for its investigation.
To squarely address the situation,
Capt. Casareo engaged the services
of this writer to help in the investigation
and filing of appropriate actions
against the culprits behind the plague,
and to help in formulating a system to
contain if not to totally prevent further
damage to the industry.
Thereafter, several seafaringmanning agencies, engaged the
services of this writer and Atty.
Filomeno B. Balbin to oppose unholy
alliances that are spreading the
plague. To name a few, these are
Leonis Navigation Company Inc.,
Maine Marine Philippine Inc., Astra
Marine International Corp., Bouvet
Shipping Management Corp., Fairv
Shipping Agency Corp. and Bright
Maritime Corp. Because of this, The
Law Firm of BALBIN|LUCMAN &
PARTNERS was born.
Thus, the crusade of fighting
the “unholy alliance” between
unscrupulous lawyers of local
correspondents and seafarers began.
The kind of modus operandi
employed by the “unholy alliance” is
classic.
Filing for double indemnity
(repatriating because of an alleged
injury and filing a claim therefore,
MAY - JUNE 2014
TINIG NG MARINO
11
and while waiting for the outcome of
the case, the seafarer again applies
to another vessel, then repeats the
process), bogus claims for disability
benefits, exaggerated claims for
disability benefits (like claiming for
permanent disability benefits because
of an injured middle finger!), these
are just few of those modus operandi
most commonly employed by the
“unholy alliance”.
In another baseless case,
a seafarer submitted two letters
of resignations, one in his own
handwriting and another in typewritten
form. The resignation letters were
approved bearing the seal of the
vessel. After two years of resignation,
the seafarer filed a complaint for full
disability benefits against our client
Cargo Safeway, Inc. due to major
depressive disorder.
Quite obviously, the claims filed
by the seafarer pawn of the unholy
alliance are baseless. Interestingly,
cases filed involving this “unholy
alliance” can be easily identified.
The Commission in judiciously
considering the evidences presented
before it, ruled in this wise: “The
records however, are bereft of any
showing that complainant was
attended to by a physician allegedly
due to his mental disorder while on
board his vessel abroad. Instead,
the complainant upon reaching
a convenient port in Hongkong,
executed a resignation letter citing
private family problem as his reason
(Annex “C”). Moreover, there is
nothing on record to show that the
complainant was undesirable as to
make his Master or captain of the
vessel force him to resign. His CSI bio
data moreover shows his performance
with CSI was satisfactory, thus, there
is no reason for respondents to
terminate his services.
They always, always, always
push for settlement.
Always.
While pushing for settlement is
a noble thing and is encouraged to
unclogged court dockets, the kind of
settlement advocated by the “unholy
alliance” is one that causes a negative
rippling effect not just in the Seafaring
industry but in our economy as well.
To the detriment of the principal
and manning agencies, the “unholy
alliance” pushes to settle even the
most obviously bogus disability
benefit claim filed by seafarers with
their counterpart ambulance chasing
lawyers. Once settled, the unholy
alliance partakes on the monies, of
course giving the seafarer his crumb
size share for signing the complaint
and getting the ball rolling. And then
off to the next seafarer willing to
feign an injury for the lure of a hefty
settlement for his bogus disability
claim. And so on…
In fighting the unholy alliance
this crusader is not alone. It found
solace and comfort in the wisdom and
steadfastness of the National Labor
Relations Commission in upholding
and delivering justice.
The
resoluteness
of
the
Commission is aptly demonstrated
in its decisions involving seafarers’
claims.
In one case, a seafarer who
has been repatriated for more than
two years, suddenly re-appeared
and filed for permanent disability
benefits because of hypertension and
cardiovascular disease. The seafarer
claimed that his hypertension and
cardiovascular diseases caused
by the “unhealthy” foods served on
board the vessels of his employer.
The seafarer claimed that he had
no choice but to eat seventeen (17)
sumptuous and delectable meals
served on board.
Obviously having been coaxed
into filing a complaint for disability
benefit,
complainant
miserably
failed to justify his non-compliance
with the post-employment medical
examination by a company designated
physician.
In careful consideration of the
evidences presented, the Commission
ruled that seafarer complainant failed
to present substantial evidence to
support his claim. Noteworthy is the
finding of the Commission that it find
the assertion of seafarer “difficult to
believe” that respondent would offer
free liquor on board the vessel.[3]
Clearly, the Commission is not one to
play with.
In another case, a seafarer
filed a claim for permanent disability
benefit because of an injury in his
right middle finger. The seafarer
claimed that a pump motor he was
carrying accidentally dropped and
pinned his right middle finger. Upon
investigation, it was found out that the
seafarer sustained injury on his right
middle finger by playing basketball.
Another classic example of
a bogus claim for disability benefit
filed by an unscrupulous seafarer
that was foiled is that involving Astra
Marine International Corporation.
In said case, seafarer was claiming
for double disability benefit through
misrepresentation.
The Commission, in careful
scrutiny of the records of the case
found that indeed the complainant
committed misrepresentation. First is
on seafarer’s claim in his application
that his prior repatriation was due to the
death of his mother and not because
of his alleged injury to his shoulder.
Second, on seafarer’s declaration
in his PEME that he only consulted
a doctor for appendectomy in 1997.
Third, the seafarer’s representation
in his shipboard application that his
previous employment was with Barko
International instead of PB Maritime
Personnel Inc. It was learned however
that he has a pending case against PB
Maritime for disability benefit. Hence,
the omission in his application.
With the lies and deceit
employed by such seafarer, Astra
Marine was deprived of intelligently
deciding on whether or not to employ
the complaining seafarer. Such
misrepresentation of the seafarer is a
clear violation of Section 33 of POEASEC.
The Commission in eloquently
ruling on the claim of the seafarer
pronounced that it “cannot turn a blind
eye” on the previous complaint filed
by complainant also for full disability
compensation against his previous
employer which was pending at the
NCMB wherein he was awarded
permanent disability benefits under
the same kind of injury he is claiming
in the case he filed against Astra
Marine International Corporation.
Furthermore, the complainant
never mentioned that he submitted
two letters of resignations. One was in
his own handwriting, and the second
a formal one, which was approved
and bears the marker of the vessel.
The complainant’s omission of
the two vital documents effectively
erodes his credibility and claim. It
clearly shows that his repatriation
was not due to an ailment or injury but
because of resignation due to private
family problem.”
These are just few cases decided
by the Commission exemplifying
their earnest efforts in carefully
crafting their decisions. In judiciously
considering the evidences submitted
before it, the Commission lives up
to its mandate of being a bastion of
justice.
With
the
Commission’s
resolve,the fight against the unholy
alliance will not be an exercise in
futility.
[1] EO 247, Sec. 3(i).
[2] Id., Sec. 3(j); Fil-Star Maritime Corporation
v. Rosete, G.R. No. 192686, November 23,
2011, 661 SCRA 247, 254.
[3] Paderog vs. CSI, OFW-VAC-07-000032-12,
NLRC Decision dated 28 November 2012.
12
TINIG NG MARINO
MAY - JUNE 2014
SAILOR’S CORNER
ATTY. AUGUSTO R. BUNDANG
Head, Litigation and Seafarers Department
Sapalo Velez Bundang & Bulilan Law Offices
The optional third doctor referral
When conflicting assessments
between
the
manning
agency’s
designated doctor and the seafarer’s
chosen
physician
exist,
whose
assessment should prevail? The case
of Philippine Hammonia Ship Agency,
Inc. and Dorchester Marin, Ltd vs.
Eulogio V. Dumadag (G.R. No. 194362,
June 26, 2013) points to the findings
of the company doctor as prevailing in
case of conflict and in the absence of
the opinion of a third doctor, and that
it is the seafarer who is duty-bound to
refer these claims to a third doctor, in
case of conflict.
In this case, the seafarer was hired
by his employers as an Able Bodied
Seaman on board an ocean-going
vessel for four (4) months. While on
board, he experienced various ailments.
Following medical examinations and
the recommended bed rest and light
duty transfer on the doctor’s advice,
he resumed his duties with the vessel.
When his contract expired, the seafarer
went back to the Philippines and
underwent medical examination with
the company-designated doctor and
was declared “fit to resume sea duties”.
The manning agency however, refused
to re-hire the seafarer who also could
not find employment with other manning
agencies.
Still feeling ill however, the
seafarers, on their own, went to consult
several doctors, in which two of the,
declared him as unfit to work. He was
also given a temporary partial disability
assessment by another doctor. Based
on said findings, the seafarer filed a
claim for permanent disability benefits,
medical reimbursement and attorney’s
fees. The arbiter, the NLRC, and
the Court of Appeals all ruled in favor
of the seafarer, agreeing that the
findings of the company physician were
unsubstantiated and highly doubtful on
its face.
The Supreme Court however,
ruled against the seafarer and explained
that the seafarer’s failure to comply with
the proper procedure militate his claim
for benefits.
The High Court decreed that as
the “law between the parties”, the POEA
Standard Employment Contract (POEASEC) and the Collective Bargaining
Agreement (CBA), which provide that a
third doctor may be jointly agreed upon
between the employer and seafarer
in case of disagreement, is binding
upon both employer and seafarer. The
seafarer, the High Court further ruled,
is “duty-bound” to comply with the
requirement of having the conflicting
assessments determined by a third
doctor by bringing to his employers’
attention the contrary opinions of his
doctors and suggest that they seek a
third opinion. By filing his complaint
before the arbiter, the seafarer breached
his contractual obligation to have the
conflicting assessments of his disability
referred to a third doctor for a binding
opinion.
Absent the binding third opinion,
the fit-to-work certification of the
company-designated doctor prevails
pursuant to the POEA-SEC and the
CBA.
continued on page 21
MAY - JUNE 2014
TINIG NG MARINO
13
UGONG NG MAKINA AT IKOT NG ELISE
ENGR. NELSON P. RAMIREZ
Most Outstanding Marine Engineer Officer, PRC, 1996
Most Outstanding Student, ZNSAT, 1970
Outstanding Achiever of the Year,
Province of Zamboanga del Norte, 2006
Online application at verification
Kung titingnan natin ang
mga tanggapan ng gobyerno sa
ibang bansa, ginagamit na ang
online application at verification.
Noong taong 2002 inumpisahan
ni Mr. Alfonso Cusi, dating general
manager ng PPA, ang online
system. Bago dumating ang mga
barko sa daungan sa Pilipinas, alam
na ng PPA ang lahat ng detalye
ng barko at ang mga kargamento
nito. Kaya alam na rin ng Bureau
of Customs, customs broker at
consignee ng mga kargamento
kung magkano ang babayaran nila.
Noong
nakaraang
taon,
inumpisahan din ng dating OIC
ng MARINA na gawing machine
readable ang ating Seafarer’s
Identification and Record Book.
Nagulat na lang ako nang bigla na
lang itong tinanggalan ng security
features kaya madali na lang
gayahin sa Recto. Napilitan tuloy
akong sampahan sila ng kaso.
Bakit paurong na tayo ngayon?
**** ***** ****
Nakikita
natin
ang
malasawang pila sa MARINA arawaraw. Sa gabi pa lang ay naguumpisa na ang pila hanggang
kinaumagan. Natutulog na lang
ang ating mga marino sa bangketa.
Tila wala na yatang katapusan ang
paghihirap ng ating mga marino
tuwing kukuha sila ng kanilang
mga dokumento. Nagtataka lang
ako kung bakit hindi nila gamitin
ang online application upang
mawala ang pila. Hindi ba naisipan
ito ng MARINA upang maibsan
naman ang kahirapan ng ating mga
marino? Maaari kayang alam din
nila ang solusyong ito ngunit ayaw
lang nilang gawin kasi habang
naghihirap ang ating mga marino
sa pagkuha ng kanilang mga
dokumento ay nandyan din ang
kurapsyon. Siyempre, mapipilitan
ang isang marino na magbigay ng
pabuya lalo na kung paalis na siya.
Marami ang nagdududa na ito nga
ang dahilan. Sa katunayan, inamin
mismo ni Dr. Max Mejia na laganap
ang katiwalian sa MARINA at sinabi
niya sa mga haligi ng industriya na
ang solusyon sa problemang ito ay
“speed”. Gawing mas mabilis ang
proseso sa pagkuha ng dokumento
upang wala nang lugar ang mga
“fixers” na naglipana sa T.M.
Kalaw at sa mismong opisina ng
MARINA. Nagtataka lang ako kung
bakit hindi ginagawa ang kanyang
alam na solusyon.
***** ***** *****
Alam
din
nating
lahat
na naglipana pa rin ang mga
pekeng dokumento na mabibili
sa pamantasan ng Recto at sa
T.M. Kalaw. Nalulungkot lang
ako na nasayang lang ang
aming paghihirap nang mahuli at
mapakulong namin ang mahigit
30 fixers na nambibiktima sa mga
marino. Wala nang ginawang
kasunod na panghuhuli ng mga
fixers sa T.M. Kalaw kaya patuloy
na naman sila sa kanilang gawain
at parang mas matapang na rin
sila ngayon. Kung nagawa lang
sana nila ang sistemang online
verification, madaling mahuhuli
ang mga pekeng dokumento.
Kailan kaya tayo matututo?
14
MAY - JUNE 2014
TINIG NG MARINO
Confab on Safety and Environment held for Officers and Ratings
Offen tankers/bulkers’ safety and environmental conference
Officers and Ratings received
comprehensive update on developments
in the shipping industry as well as on
skills required for vessel operations in a
conference organized by TCPO (ClausPeter Offen Tankschiffreederei).
TCPO held its first ever Safety
and Environmental conference at the
Philippine International Convention
Center (PICC) on May 8 and 9, 2014.
Tanker officers and ratings
attended the first day of the conference
while bulker officers and crew
participated on day 2 of the conference.
In the implementation of its fleet
expansion, TCPO zeroes in on two
nationalities of seafarers, namely East
European Officers and Filipino Crew
for its tanker fleet. TCPO also aims
for a full-Filipino complement for bulk
carriers.
PART OF THE FAMILY
In his welcome remarks, Mr.
Niels Meyers, head of the Crewing
Department, said that the company’s
ultimate goal is to offer the best, reliable
and safe transport service and thereby
aim to develop a strategic market size
and position and now with their new
partner, Scorpio.
The company provides extra crew
comfort when onboard: they provide
better accommodation, they have a
sauna room, internet connection is
available with phone cards and chat
cards supported by the company,
welfare fund and medical insurance for
the entire family. This is because they
“wanted the crew to feel like they are
‘part of the family’,” Meyers said.
Meyers told Filipino Officers and
Crew, “Perform well, and you will gain
recommendations for promotions which
translates to higher wages and more
stability for the family.”
SAFETY ON BOARD
Safety onboard is primordial, and
four resource speakers, Mr. Heinrich
Braun, Capt. Elmundo Villacorte, Dr.
Joseph Bien Abesamis, and Atty.
Joseph Rebano could not stress it
enough.
Braun, QHSE manager of Offen
Tankers, apprised the audience on
safety issues and how these are
being addressed. He gave examples
of actual accidents, incidents and
near misses, collectively known as
hazardous occurrences in the fleet and
cited corrective actions taken. Braun
said that in order to avoid recurrence
of hazardous occurrences, there must
be full incident investigation, root
cause analysis and disseminating the
information to the fleet.
Safety onboard ships was discussed
by Abesamis, assistant medical director
of American Outpatient Clinic and
Clinicomed-Manila.
Safe working practices, including
safety drills and new requirements of
MLC 2006 were also discussed.
OATH TO PROTECT
THE ENVIRONMENT
The importance of environmental
compliance, leadership and behavior
was discussed by Engr Harthwell
Capistrano.
Villacorte, on the other hand,
discussed the shipboard role in safety
and environmental protection--principles
of safety and risk assessment. He tells
them, “Accidents don’t just happen” and
emphasized that “safe ships have zero
injuries,” challenging them to “make
safety procedures a way of life.”
He also took the participants to a
walk-through on Maritime Legislations:
SOLAS, MARPOL, ISM, MLC-2006.
The importance of Health and
Rebano, of Del Rosario & Del
Rosario Law Offices,
focused on
safety perspective from the P&I Club,
stressing on main causes for workrelated accidents and illness of Filipino
seafarers.
Capistrano,
who is Offshore
Medic/Occupational Health and Safety
Advisor
from Maersk-Qatar, asked
every seafarer present to make a stand
and take their oath of commitment to
protect the environment.
For its part, TCPO continues
to make a commitment to protect the
environment, and the health and safety
of its people.
16
MAY - JUNE 2014
TINIG NG MARINO
VAST HORIZON
C/ENGR. RODOLFO B. VIRTUDAZO
Outstanding Seafarer of the Year, NSD, 1998
Most Outstanding Marine Engineer Officer, PRC, 1999
Technical Superintendent ABACUS Ship Management Limited
Daddy’s Girl
After a very tiring trip from Manila
– I have to wake up as early as three
o’clock in the morning to catch up my
flight at six-thirty for Tianjin, China – I
decided to grab a power nap after
checking in at the hotel at almost four
in the afternoon. But first, I opened my
emails for any updates especially about
my mission to China which was to attend
the sea trial of the fourth vessel that was
built at Tianjin Xingang Shipyard.
I happened to review the very
touching and beautiful videos which
were created by my youngest daughter,
Maria Loren , short for Renren. I was
amazed and couldn’t help but got
amused to note that she’s following in
my footsteps for being a tech savvy,
a Beatle music lover, and having the
knack for word power. It truly made
my day and made me happy. In fact,
it drew an ear-to-ear smile from me
while watching them, especially the
most recent which was about the 38th
wedding anniversary of her mommy
and me.
Laughter is still the best medicine
really. Though tired from almost an
eight-hour trip from Manila to Beijing
and travel by car from Beijing to Tianjin,
her video creations were like a magic
balm that instantly soothed my tired
muscles and helped me unwind from
my jet lag.
As the baby of the family, she
seems so innocent but when she
gives her piece of mind, boy, are we
stunned. Her mom and older brothers
and sisters are mesmerized with her wit
and humor. During meal time, she has
an instant captivated audience in all of
us when out of the blue, she would give
out some witty yet funny one-liners. Or
ask seemingly silly but mind bogglingquestions such as, “Which do you
prefer: a rich man with low IQ or a poor
but intelligent guy?” Often, she would
share a funny thing that happened while
on her way to school that sends her
laughing.
She loves it knowing she’s a
daddy’s girl, and her two older sisters
don’t mind because they’ve been there.
When she was younger, she asked her
mommy why I am no longer working
abroad. She was told by her kuya,
“Daddy misses you when he is away
from home, that’s why he is now landbased to be with you most of the time.”
She got so delighted. Imagine, her dad
loves and cares for her that much that
he has to choose her bunso (youngest
child) rather than the very tempting
dollars.
To which her other elder brother
naughtily blurted out, “You’re the reason
why we are having some financial
problem.” And the sweet smile was
suddenly wiped off her face. ”Ay…” she
sadly sighed, while her kuyas guffawed.
I would like to tell my dear
daughter Renren that I guess it has
something to do with God’s beautiful
time. I decided to stop working on board
vessels because at this point in my life,
I thought I could do more and shift my
focus on the vast horizon out there. Yes,
Renren, I admit that materials things are
important in our life, but at the end of the
day, it is still family that matters most.
As Fr. Rene (Rev. Fr. Rene Ruello, our
family friend whom you were named
after aside from San Lorenzo Ruiz)
reminded the seafarers and their wives
continued on page 35
MAY - JUNE 2014
PMMA set a new batch
of maritime graduates
TINIG NG MARINO
17
by Mia M. Lapis
They call their batch Sinag
–Balangay or Sinag sa Bagong
Paglalakbay ng Nagkakaisang
Bayan. Their graduation theme,
“Embedding
Leadership
Development in Maritime Education
Towards Righteous Government.”
This group of young, strong
gentlemen and a few fine yet also
strong ladies are ready to meet the
wind and tides of seafaring with
such vision in mind.
A hundred and two Bachelor
of Science in Marine Transportation
(BSMT) and a hundred and twenty
eight Bachelor of Science in Marine
Engineering (BSMarE) were all
declared graduates of the Philippine
Merchant Marine Academy on May
09, 2014 in San Narciso, Zambales
during its 191st Commencement
Exercises. In the Post Graduate
Program, five received their Master
diplomas in Ship Management
(MSM)and
two
in
Maritime
Education and Training (MMET).
“The PMMA is considered the
country’s premier merchant marine
academy; so you should count
yourselves fortunate to be educated
by this historic and decorated
institution. You now join the elite
ranks of Filipino sailors highly
preferred by shipping magnates to
run the world’s top fleets. May you
use the knowledge and training that
you received from your alma mater
to uphold the legacy of excellence
that many have come to expect from
PMMA graduate” President Benigno
Aquino III said in his congratulatory
note.
Laarni
Grace
Pangilinan,
BSMT and Nathaniel V. Doctolero,
BSMarE
topped
this
year’s
graduating class in the highest
honor and academic awards. Both
were Magna Cum Laude, Top Ten
and Shipboard Training, Leadership
and PMMA
l Aumni Association
awardees. Pangilinan also received
a Special Award being Best in Math,
Senator Manny Villar Excellence
Awards while Doctolero was in the
roster of Discipline Awardees.
Also in the honor roll among
BSMT graduates are Cezan V.
Paulo, Zhet Chloe P. Valencia,
Christopher A. Alcon, Crystal Joyce
A. Reyes, Magna Cum Laude.
Patrick John B. Alliam and Chris
Lloyd C. Vinluan are both Cum
Laude.
BS
MarE
Cum
Laude
medallists are Adrian L. Ramirez,
Jason Monfortich A. Catipay,
Francis Joseph B. Parena, Allan J.
Gallarte, Mark Anthony C. Reyes,
and Christopher N. Gobway. MSM
Honor recipient is Eduardo Delos
Reyes Meneses Jr and MMET
Honor is Loren Mae Moriera
Naquita.
The
Presidential
Saber
Awardee is M/1CL Christian
Dave V. Brizuela, Flag Officer InCommand Philippine Navy Saber
Awardee , M/1CL Allan J. Gallarte,
Commandant, Philippine Coast
Guard Sword Awardee. M/1CL
Carlos Barnie Q. Bayeta, and M/1CL
Jhonson S. Palao-ay is the PMMA
Superintendent Saber Awardee.
“The Academy succeeds in
achieving its noble goals
-to contribute to the continuous
development and progress of
one of the pillars of the world
economy-the seafaring industry...I
am confident that in your class, we
have produced and honed excellent
seafarer competent to withstand
global maritime competitiveness,“
Rear Admiral Richard U. Ritual,
PMMA Superintendent expressed.
PMMA will be celebrating its
195th anniversary next year and
with almost two centuries. It was
originally known as “Escuela Nautica
de Manila located at the Intramuros.
It was also called “Nautical School of
the Philippine Islands” then renamed
“Philippine Nautical School (PNS)
and has moved in Fort Bonifacio,
Makati City. PMMA remains a solid
foundation of maritime education
and training with its flag unwavering.
PMMA Batch 2014 Sinag-Balangay, with a total of 230 male and female students, on its final march up the stage to get their diploma.
18
MAY - JUNE 2014
TINIG NG MARINO
PISOBILITIES
FRANCISCO J. COLAYCO
Chairman, Colayco Foundation for Education
Entrepreneur, Venture Developer and Financial Advisor
Nang magising si Juan
Ang “Nang Magising Si Juan”
(NMSJ) ay nag-umpisa na sa GMA
News TV noong ika-18 ng Mayo.
Ito ay lalabas tuwing Linggong, alas
ocho ng umaga,
Maraming mga Pilipino ang
nanonood ng mga teleserye at iba
pang mga nakakawiling programa.
Ngunit, maraming mga programa
ang nakakawili lamang ngunit hindi
nagbibigay-aral. Hindi rin nakakawili
ang mga programang nagbibigayaral. Ito ang dahilan kung bakit
pangarap
kong
magkaroon
ng
programang
sabay
na
nakapagbibigay-aral at nakakawili.
Nagtuturo ako tungkol sa
tamang pamamahala ng pera sa
napakaraming programa sa TV,
diyaryo, mga magazine, at seminar.
Gusto kong isipin na kawili-wili
naman ang mga sinasabi ko, ngunit
aminin na nating hindi nito kayang
makipagtagisan sa mga teleserye,
drama, at comedy shows. Sa totoo
lang, hindi ko kayang makuha ang
ganoong oras sa telebisyon kung
gusto kong magturo. Kaya’t eto na
ang NMSJ!
Ang
NMSJ
ay
isang
programang sabay na nagbibigay
aral at aliw. Nais kong tawagin itong,
“edutainment.” Ang NMSJ ay hindi
isang ordinaryong programa tungkol
sa tamang pamamahala ng pera.
Bilang isang “comedy-reality show,”
layunin ng programang magbigay
aral, ,magpa-aliw, makipag-ugnay, at
magbigay-inspirasyon. Ang bida ay
si Ariel Villasanta, isang komedyante
sa tunay na buhay na nakaranas
ng kasikatan at marangyang
pamumuhay, ngunit ngayon ay lubog
sa utang. Kaya’t ang NMSJ ay isang
“reality show.”
Ang NMSJ ay hindi isang
ordinaryong programa tungkol sa
pagtuturo ng tamang paghawak ng
pera. Sa pagtutok sa mga isyung
hinaharap ng bawat Pilipino tungkol
sa pera, hindi lamang itinuturo ng
“edutainment show” na ito ang mga
praktikal at kayang-kayang prinsipyo
sa pamamahala ng pananalapi.
Itinataguyod din nito ang mga
positibong ugali at pagtama sa mga
maling kaisipan sa at higit pa sa
usapan ng pera.
Ito ang pangunahing punto ng
buong programa: Higit pa sa kung
ano ang alam mo, ang talagang
nagdudulot ng pagbabago sa iyong
buhay ay ang diwa, pangunahing
prinsipyo, at ang pagsasagawa sa
tamang kaugalian.
Para talagang mabigyangdiin ang kahalagahan ng praktikal
na paggamit ng mga prinsipyo,
inilalagay ng programang ito si Ariel
sa napakaraming mga sitwasyon
o social experiment. Ang layunin
nito ay para maliwanagan siya
at mapabuti niya ang kanyang
pinansiyal na kalagayan. Bilang
isang karakter na nakaka-ugnay
sa mga manonood, layunin ng
programang
itong
magbigay
inspirasyon sa mga manonood at
makuha nila ang mensaheng, “Kung
kaya niya, kaya niyo rin.”
Ipinangalan ang programang
“Nang Magising si Juan” dahil
direkta nitong isinasalamin ang mga
pagtanaw, saloobin, at kaugalian ng
mga Pilipino at sinusubukan nitong
maging isang tawag para gumising.
Sa kabilang banda, nais din nitong
itulak ang halaga ng pagbangon at
aktuwal na paggawa ng isang bagay
para marating ang mga hangarin at
pangarap.
Bilang isang comedy-reality
show, layunin ng programang
magbigay-aral,
makipag-ugnay,
magbigay-aliw, at inspirasyon.
Sa NMSJ, ipinapakita ni Ariel,
na ayaw pa rin tanggapin ang
realidad, ang isang magarang imahe
at nabubuhay sa isang napakalaking
bahay na wala namang kuryente.
Kumikita siya bilang isang scriptwriter. Ang mga agam-agam
niya sa kanyang pananalapi ang
nagtulak sa kanyang kumausap
sa akin sa programa kung saan
siya nagsusulat, “Feeling Close
with FJC.” Itong programa sa
loob ng isang programa ay isang
patawa ng programang tinatalakay
sa negosyo at pera: matitigas na
sopa, malalaking tanim, pangit na
background design, at lounge music.
Gagamitin ito upang ipalabas
ang mga pinansiyal na prinsipyo at
paraang susubukang i-proseso ni
Ariel sa programa. Ang papel ko ay
isang marunong ngunit prangkong
tao at tinatama ko ang mga maling
pagtanaw ni Ariel, at tinutulak ko
siyang magbago sa pamamagitan
ng mga mapanghamong tanong.
Kasama
ang
iba
pang
mga karakter (hindi mga aktor),
nakakasalubong ni Ariel ang mga
iba’t ibang isyung pampinansiyal na
bumabagabag sa karaniwang Pinoy.
Nagbibigay ako ng mga praktikal
na payo at paraan sa simpleng
salita. Ginagawa ni Ariel ang ilan
sa mga ito, ang iba sinasadyang
hindi sinusunod para gawin ang
kanyang sariling diskarte (nang may
mga nakakatuwang kinahihinatnan
siyempre).
Sa
kanyang
paglalakbay
sa pinansiyal na kaalaman at
kalayaan, matutuklasan ni Ariel
ang napakarami pang bagay sa
pamamahala ng yaman, higit pa
sa pag-iipon ng pera at pagiging
mayaman. Matututunan din niya
ang kahalagahan ng disiplina,
pagtitiyaga, at kahit pagpapahalaga
sa sarili at pagiging bukas palad, na
magpapabuti sa kanyang kaledad
ng buhay na higit pa sa magagawa
ng pera.
Base sa nakikita mo, itong
programa ay para sa iyo, sa iyong
pamilya, at kaibigan. Suportahan
mo sana itong aking pagsisikap at
ipalaganap ang balita!
Sa hinaharap, maglalabas din
ng segments ng NMSJ sa website
ng Pisobilities.TV. Bukas ito sa lahat
ng mga miyembro ng One Wealthy
Nation (OWN) Community. Isa ito sa
mga benepisyong matatanggap ng
isang OWN member, saan man siya
sa mundo! Bisitahin na ang www.
onewealthynation.com.
Ipamalita rin sa mga kaibigan
at kamag-anakan nyo sa Maynila.
Matuto ng tamang paghawak ng pera
at alamin kung paano papalaguin
ang perang pinaghirapan.
Samahan kami sa Pisobilities
Wealth Within Your Reach Seminar
at InvestAbility Mutual Funds
Seminar. I-text ang 09178088857
o tumawag sa 6373731/41 para sa
karagdagang detalye.
Manood din ng Pisobilities sa
Light TV 33 tuwing Martes, 8:30
pm-9:00 pm, GMA News TV tuwing
Sabado, 6:00 am-6:30 am. Makinig
sa Yaman Kaalaman tuwing Martes
at Huwebes sa Radyo 1062, 8:00
pm-9:00 pm!
Tandaan, tuwing Linggo sa
GMA News TV alas ocho ng umaga,
Nang Magising Si Juan. Ipamalita
sa lahat ng pamilya, kamag-anakan
ninyo sa Pilipinas. Matutulungan
ninyo sila!
MAY - JUNE 2014
TINIG NG MARINO
19
Coast Guard inaugurates three new buildings
in Western Visayas
As part of the PCG
modernization project, three
newly-constructed Coast Guard
facilities worth Php 50 million
were inaugurated in Western
Visayas last May 16, 2014.
DOTC
Undersecretary,
Hon. Julianito G. Bucayan Jr.
as Guest of Honor together with
Coast Guard District Western
Visayas (CGDWV) Commander,
Commodore Athelo Ybañez
and Captain Sarabia, PCG
Auxiliary graced the blessing of
Headquarters CGDWV Annex
located in Bo. Obrero in Lapaz,
Iloilo City.
S u b s e q u e n t l y ,
Undersecretary Bucayan and
Iloilo City Mayor, Hon. Jed
Patrick E. Mabilog attended
the inaguration in Coast Guard
Station (CGS) Iloilo in Fort
San Pedro, Iloilo City while
Honorable Samuel T. Gumarin,
Province of Guimaras governor,
attended
the
inauguration
in Coast Guard Sub-Station
Buenavista in Guimaras.
Commodore Ybañez, on
behalf of the Commandant of
the Philippine Coast Guard,
Vice Admiral Rodolfo Isorena,
thanked the President and
DOTC leadership for the
unwavering support to the
development of PCG. He added
that having modern facilities
means better and more efficient
service for his units.
Commodore Ybanez also
disclosed that forty additional
aluminum boats for search
and rescue and maritime law
enforcement activities are also
expected to arrive in Western
Vizayas early next month to
be distributed to their various
stations and sub-stations.
Last
month,
DOTC
Secretary Jun Abaya and DILG
Secretary Mar Roxas led the
groundbreaking of the Php 217
million worth search and rescue
base and the inauguration of
Php 11 million worth station in
Culasi Port, Roxas City.
20
MAY - JUNE 2014
TINIG NG MARINO
Overseas list-up for 2016 polls starts in
PH embassies worldwide
Hundreds of Filipinos overseas trooped to
Philippine Embassies and Consulates worldwide at
the start of the registration for Overseas Absentee
Voting (OAV) early this week.
Kong, the first registrant was Philip Tubeza, a
former reporter of the Philippine Daily Inquirer who
is now working for Hong Kong News.
“[Tubeza] was already at the Philippine
The voter’s registration drive is
intended for the 2016 elections. In the
Philippine Embassy in Singapore, 49
Filipinos registered on the first day, the
Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA)
said in a statement.
“The Embassy was able to record
a total of forty-nine (49) registrants
for overseas voting. Some of the
applicants who were in the Embassy
processing other consular documents
took the time to register as voters for
the registration process as well,” it said.
“New registrants will join the
over 50,000 overseas voters allowed
to vote in Singapore for the upcoming
overseas voting process in tandem
with the national elections of 2016,”
the statement said.There is a total
of 184,498 permanent, temporary, and irregular
Filipinos in Singapore as of December 2012,
according to records of the Commission on Filipinos
Overseas (CFO).
In the Philippine Consulate General in Hong
In Saudi Arabia where there are more than 1.2
million Filipinos, 141 applicants registered for OAV
in the Philippine Embassy in Riyadh on the first day.
“A total of 141 applications
for registration were facilitated by the
Embassy on the first day,” the Embassy
said in their statement. An outreach
mission is also set to be conducted from
May 9 to 10 in the Eastern Province of the
Middle Eastern country.
“The Philippine Embassy in
Riyadh will conduct its first Overseas
Voting Registration outreach mission in
the Eastern Province on 09 to 10 May
2014. The Overseas Voting Registration
will coincide with the Embassy-on-Wheels
(EOW) mission to be held at Al Jazeera
International School in Dammam,” the
embassy said.
Consulate General 30 minutes before the opening
time. This will be Tubeza’s first time to register as a
voter,” the Consulate said in a statement.
CFO has recorded 195,128 permanent,
temporary, and irregular Filipinos in Hong Kong.
Philippine Embassies in Berlin,
Germany, Vienna, Austria, and Paris,
France also announced a smooth first day
of OAV registration.
The voting registration for the May 2016
presidential elections will run from May 6, 2014 to
October 31, 2015.
Engr. Ramirez files another case against MARINA
Engr. Nelson Ramirez filed another case
against Dr. Maximo Q. Mejia in his capacity as
Administrator of MARINA for Declaratory Relief
With Prayer For the Issuance of a Temporary
Restraining Order and/or Writ of Injunction,
Sections 4 (c) and (c.1) of Republic Act No.
10635, otherwise known as “An Act Establishing
the Maritime Industry Authority( MARINA) as
the Single Maritime Administration Responsible
for the Implementation and Enforcement of the
1978 International Convention on Standards
of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping
for Seafarers, as amended, and International
Agreements or Covenants Related Thereto.”
International Convention on Standards of Training
Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers,
as amended, and International Agreements or
Covenants Related Thereto”, together with the
Policy Declaration of the law, speaks only of the
1978 Convention, as amended.
Ramirez stressed that nowhere in the
summary of the February 27, 2014 EMSA Final
Audit Report which is now in the possession of
respondent Mejia can we find that the need for the
establishment of a single maritime administration
is a deficiency or shortcoming of the Philippines.
Sections 4 (c) and 4 (c.1) of RA 10635,
included and took away from the Professional
Regulation Commission (PRC) the functions
of the Licensure Examinations, the Licensing
and Certification system for Marine Deck and
Engineer Officers under its jurisdiction, which was
NEVER a requirement in the STCW convention.
Engr. Ramirez said that Sections 4 (c)
and 4 (c.1) of RA 10635 are assailed for being
violative of Section 26 (1), Article VI of the 1987
Constitution. Section 26 (1), Article VI of the 1987
Constitution provides that every bill passed by
Congress shall embrace only one subject which
shall be expressed in the Title.
The Licensure examinations and the
issuance of Certificates of Registration/
Professional License for Marine Deck and
Engineer Officers by PRC, established way back
in June 1973, are SEPARATE and DISTINCT
from the Certificates of Competency and
Endorsement Certificates issued under the 1978
STCW Convention, which was fully implemented
only in the year 1984. It is of public knowledge in
the maritime industry, domestic and international,
that licensure examination is NOT a part, and
was NEVER a requirement, of the 1978 STCW
Convention, he added.
He stressed that, It is quite ironic and mind
boggling why the Philippines changed its maritime
system through RA 10635. The Philippines is
the no.1 in the world, or the major supplier of
seafarers worldwide, for the reason that there
was previously a check and balance among
government agencies. Under RA 10635, MARINA
took all the powers and functions of PRC, CHED,
TESDA, NATELCOM and DOH which the latter
agencies have gained expertise for more than
two decades, without MARINA being involved in
the Certification system whatsoever during the
same period. Definitely, the check and balance
system among government agencies to which
the Philippines is known for was removed.
He said that the Title of RA 10635 was
stated as, “An Act Establishing the Maritime
Industry Authority ( MARINA) as the Single
Maritime Administration Responsible for the
Implementation and Enforcement of the 1978
Among the major non-conformities which
was cited by EMSA auditors was MARINA and
continued on page 51
MAY - JUNE 2014
from page 12
SAILOR’S CORNER
Lastly, the High Court observed that the
seafarer’s claim that he was not rehired by
his employers therefore, proving his illness or
disability, is without basis,
The above ruling of the High Court leaves
much to be desired. A plain reading of the POEASEC and CBA would clearly show that the findings
of a third doctor “may” be jointly sought by the
employer and the seafarer. The word “may,”
indicates that it is not mandatory upon the parties
to seek the opinion of a third doctor and that in
the event the opinion is sought, it should be
“jointly” made by the employer and the seafarer.
Thus, it cannot really be said that the seafarer
breached the provisions of his contract and that it
was his duty to have the conflicting assessments
determined by a third doctor.
On the High Court’s finding that there was
no evidence that the seafarer sought to be rehired
by his employers, it must be pointed out that the
employer openly argued that it had the prerogative
to re-hire or not the seafarer. Apparently, such an
argument is an outright admission that the seafarer
did apply with his employers but was not rehired
even after they declared him “fit to work”. In fact,
the employers never made an outright denial of
the seafarer’s application for re-employment.
For all intents and purposes, a revisit of this
ruling of the High Court appears to be appropriate.
TINIG NG MARINO
Ramirez elected prexy of
ZNSAT, JRMSC, JRMSU
Integrated Alumni Association
Engr. Nelson Ramirez was elected in absentia as
president of Zambonga del Norte School of Arts
and Trades, Jose Rizal Memorial State College
and Jose Rizal Memorial State University (ZNSAT,
JRMSC, JRMSU) Alumni Association last April
2014 which was held in JRMSU compound.
Other officials who were elected together with
Ramirez are Mr. Sancho Rionile R. Subido, vice
president, Prof. Jograce E. Jordan, secretary, Prof.
Evelyn M. Suan, treasurer, Prof. Alma Pasigna,
auditor, Mr. Norben Patangan and Mr. Alejandro
June Carasig, business and social managers, Mr.
Roberto Pinsoy, Engr. Frederick Dagpin, Prof.
Exufrancio Suan, Prof. Victoria Canoneo and Mrs.
Salome Yebes, board of directors, Darla CasteloMorandarte MAED, alumni director, MAED.
The oathtaking was held last May 24,
2014 during the 2nd grand reunion and alumni
homecoming at the JRMSU campus in Dipolog City.
21
22
MAY - JUNE 2014
TINIG NG MARINO
Japanese Shipping company conducts
medical mission to Yolanda devastated areas
JX Shipping Co Ltd., A long time
employer of Filipino seafarers recenty
conducted a medical mission to Yolanda
devastated areas in the Philippine last
March 12-13, 2014. JX representatives
visited the Barangays of Maticas and
Milagros in Ormoc City and Barangay
Marcos in Baybay City in Leyte.
Two medical teams who attended
to more than 1,000 patients were
led by JX top executives Mr. Osamu
Hasako,director senior vice president
and Capt. Takanori Nagao, deputy GM
of Seamens Dept. The Teams provided
Adult, Pediatric, Ophthalmologic and
other medical services including free
medicines and eyeglasses. The Medical
missions were successfully concluded
with the help of CFC-ANCOP, P.C.
Marquez Foundation, Inc. and Manila
Medical Center and Volunteer Maritime
Doctors. Mr. Osamu Hasako was
presented a Certificate of Appreciation
from the Office of the Mayor and
City Disaster Risk Reduction and
Management Council for the invaluable
services rendered to the city of Leyte.
JX
Japanese
marine
transportation company has been a
major player in the Philippine manning
industry and has been been recognized
twice by the Philippine Government
through the Presidential Award as
Pioneer Principal for Ship Manning
by the POEA. They have provided
jobs for the Filipino seafarers for over
41 years through its connections to
Virjen Shipping Corporation and Grace
Marine. It is because of these deeply
rooted business relations that the
company has never hesitated to help
the Philippines when the need arises.
In the past, JX Shipping had
also given financial assistance to
their officers and crew on board their
vessels under Virjen Shipping Corp.
and Grace Marine Corp. affected by
the recent 7.2 magnitude earthquake
that hit Bohol, Cebu and other parts
of Visayas. They also donated funds
through the Philippines-Japan Manning
Consultative Council to rebuild schools
and community centers in Iloilo and
Aklan where there are many Filipino
seafarers who were affected by Yolanda.
MAY - JUNE 2014
TINIG NG MARINO
23
MAIB pushes EU to address fatigue
Chief Inspector Steve Clinch
said “Ten years on, the situation
remains unchanged, and since
the study, the MAIB has recorded
a further nine groundings of
vessels operating with just two
watchkeepers. Investigation of these
accidents shows that the mandated
safety barriers, intended to limit the
effects of cumulative fatigue that are
endemic in this sector of the industry
are not working.”
The Antigua & Barbuda-flagged cargoship MV Donio which ran aground off the Farnes Islands in March 2013.
The UK Marine Accident
Investigation Branch (MAIB) calls for
radical European action to address
the risks of seafarer fatigue warning
that the six hours on/six hours off
watch pattern can no longer be
considered safe.
This after an investigation on
the grounding of the general cargo
ship Danio off Farnes Islands in
March 2013.
MAIB found that the Antigua
& Barbuda-flagged Danio had
grounded after its chief officer fell
asleep while on duty. He’s been
serving the vessel for three months
working six-on/six-off watch pattern
added to his supervising the cargo
work operations in port.
The vessel also made ten
port calls in the six weeks before
the accident which makes MAIB
conclude that the chief officer had
been suffering from cumulative
fatigue after having his circadian
rhythm disrupted regularly.
The investigation also revealed
that the work and rest records of the
vessels were inaccurate, a common
practice a UK inspection in 2009 has
already proven.
Mr. Clinch added MAIB
wants the UK to seek international
consensus to solve the problem of
fatigue. “If we do not ensure that
vessels operating in and around our
waters are adequately manned to
enable safe navigation, then it is only
a matter of time before we suffer a
major accident involving loss of
life or serious pollution or both,” he
warned.
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Tel: 1800 788 0022 (Singapore) +65 6788 0022 (International)
Email:
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Seafarer portal:
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Copyright © 2014 Singapore Telecommunications Limited (CRN: 199201624D). All rights reserved.
MAY - JUNE 2014
TINIG NG MARINO
25
PH votes to amend MLC 2006 during 103rd ILO confab
Filipino seafarers may soon enjoy
better protection after the Philippine
government voted in favor of amendments
to the Maritime Labor Convention of 2006
(MLC, 2006).
Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz
has said the amendments seek to
address concerns on abandonment and
ship owners’ liability in seafarers’ injury,
illness, or death.
“It is in our country’s best interest
to provide our 360,000 ocean-going
seafarers with the best terms and
conditions of employment and welfare,
including the welfare of their families. As
a flag state, we are strongly assured that
seafarers in all Philippine-flagged oceangoing and inter-island ships employing
an estimated 60,000 seafarers shall be
covered by internationally-benchmarked
standards that secure their welfare and
protection,” Baldoz said in a release on
the DOLE website.
The Department of Labor and
Employment said the amendments to
the MLC, 2006 was one of three items
voted on at the 103rd International Labor
Conference.
It said the amendments involved the
implementation of the “financial security
instrument on ship owners’ liability for the
repatriation of seafarers and contractual
compensation.”Long-term
medical
treatment for seafarers
Baldoz also said seafarers needing
long-term medical treatment should
not be deprived of their benefits due to
sudden cancellation of the financial cover.
She said a system or procedure
must be established to monitor the validity
of the financial security instrument, just
like how abandonment cases are tracked.
She said the Philippines has approved an
action plan that can serve as a road map
for the eventual implementation of the two
amendments.
Baldoz said tripartite partners “shall
develop a model bilateral agreement
that will enable us to engage other flag
states for a more robust and smoother
implementation of the Convention.”
Meanwhile, Baldoz stressed the
need for bilateral engagements and
regular dialogues and consultations with
ratifying member states that host Filipino
seafarers. These will address issues and
lead to a “more harmonized administration
and enforcement of the convention,” she
said.
Meanwhile, Baldoz noted the
Department of Labor and Employment
has issued orders governing the
employment of Filipino seafarers on
Philippine-registered ships engaged in
international voyages and those on the
domestic inter-island trade.
She
said
the
Philippines
has
authorized nine organizations to carry out
inspection and certification functions on
Philippine-registered ships in international
waters. Of 131 ships, 98 have been
issued Maritime Labor Certificates, while
inspection and certification process for
the remaining ships are in the final stages,
she added.
Meanwhile, the DOLE has issued
regulations for provisions of the convention
such as maritime occupational safety and
health, and regulations on the issuance of
a national certificate for ships’ cooks and
standards for medical examination.
Baldoz said the Philippines already
amended its standard employment
contract on the employment of seafarers
on ocean-going foreign vessels as early
as 2010.
“Our
Philippine
Overseas
Employment Administration has also recertified the recruitment and placement
services provided by licensed manning
agencies pursuant to the provisions
contained in regulation 1.4 of the
Convention,” she said.
Still, she said she ordered the
POEA to review its rules and regulations
on the recruitment and employment
of seafarers, to align them with the
standards prescribed by the Convention.
26
MAY - JUNE 2014
TINIG NG MARINO
POSH conducts its
9th Sea Staff Teambuilding Seminar
With the agenda “One Team,” the
Posh Fleet Services Pte Ltd, on its bid
to enrich the competency of Filipino
seafarers, conducted its 9th Seastaff
Seminar last 14-16 May 2014 at Traders
Hotel, Roxas Boulevard.
The three-day seminar was
attended by officers and crews of SSM
Maritime Services Inc. from various
shipping companies in the Philippines.
It was graced by the Posh’s best, Mr.
Sim Hee Ping, Mr. Chan Joo Huat,
Capt. Priyadarshan Pandey, Capt. Sunil
Kamath, Mr.KK Teo, Mr. KS Chung,
Captain Ryan, Captain Sanjeev and Mr.
Raymond Si as the keynote speakers.
Posh Fleet Services Pte Ltd is a
subsidiary of one of Asia’s leading
providers of maritime services, the
Posh Semco. POSH’ role is not only
for employing Filipino seafarers in its
fleet services; they are also steadfast
in honing skills and leadership for
every seaman on board. Through its
outstanding role in maritime services,
POSH makes a great contribution for
change and improvement.
“I’m very happy with Filipino
seamen. I‘ve been dealing with them for
many years,” Mr. Sim said. “They are
very hardworking. They do their job very
well. In my company, I would say that
more than 60% of our workers come
from the Philippines.”
Moreover, the main purpose of
this teambuilding workshop is to foster
sense of belonging and accountability
to self and others among the various
teams in POSH.
Featuring
advanced
human
resource skills and trainings, it was
composed of topics on leadership
training according to the needs of
seafarers, as well as different activities
that motivated the participants to
become more effective and efficient
leaders.It focused on honing the
participants to be more contemporary
in planning, controlling, implementing,
and evaluating different situations on
board. This building program aims to
give relevant discussions including
corporate social responsibility and
safety measures that seafarers might
face on board.
Part of the CSR is implementing
the Diamond Energy Water System
instead of using bottled waters. This
new water system is very beneficial
to health as it contains 20% more
oxygen and essential minerals that
are easily absorbed by the body to
boost metabolism, and also removes
accumulated toxins. This safer mode
of water system is pure and pleasant
to the taste. It also reduces the use of
plastic bottles
and helps in
conserving the
environment
as well. The
money
that
will be saved
from this new
system
will
be
donated
to
children’s
cancer fund foundation and other school
pocket money fund.
“We find it that drinking in bottled
water is really expensive,” Mr. Sim said.
“So we came up with this machine
called Diamond Water System, wherein
the quality of the water is so important.
And whatever savings we have here,
we channel to the two foundations. I
hope in a way, in a corporate social
responsibility, we give better quality
of water and at the same time the get
savings.
In addition, uniforms are also
provided for crews for them to have the
sense of identity representing every
company they work for.
According to Mr. Sim, this annual
seminar aims to equip seafarers with
proper values to guide them as they deal
with their respective team. The seminar
wants to impart recommendations of
management for improvement of vessel
condition and working condition on
board.
During the said seminar, the
senior and junior officers and the ratings
were divided into two separate groups
to share ideas on different topics. The
participants enjoyed the second and
third day of the event because they
also did warm-up exercises including
aerobics, different activities and
watched film clips.
the
“Success comes from the people
relationship of one company
to
another
company,
the important
key is not the
ship, not the
machinery, but
the
people,”
said
Mr.
Sim.
Thus,
this
year’s
teambuilding focuses on how to
empower their people by means of
giving them the opportunity to be more
efficient seafarers. They incorporated
new additions in the operation
management including how to handle
hazards and threats. This is a very
helpful insight for the new crews as it
will help develop their ability to carry
out their duties in accordance with
regulations and technical standards.
Indeed, for POSH, the success of
every ship is in the hands of its people.
Their professional responsibilities,
obligation of self-discipline, and
unswerving commitment are very
essential for the feat of one’s company.
“One team theme has always
been the company’s philosophy. We
always believe that the only way we
can achieve our goals is that we must
work as one team, one family. Like for
my company, we incorporated in 2000.
We actually started operation in 2007
and we have two vessels only. Within a
short span of six years, now we have
more than a hundred vessels all over
the world. We are always trying to tell
our people to work hard, and convey
to them that without their unyielding
commitment our company will not be
successful,” Mr. Sim stated.
And now, POSH continues to walk
the pathway of reaching its objectives, to
listen to every seafarer’s concerns and
needs, to train them and feed helpful
insights, and to touch lives aiming them
to have the mark of a genuine seafarer.
28
TINIG NG MARINO
from page 4
SOUNDING LEAD
Where the requirement is
vague and unclear, the reference
is the maximum intake of 24
students per class. Our soundings
are indicating that somehow,
standards for quality maritime
education and training are slowly
gaining its grounds and we will
keep on taking soundings on how
far this will go!
On the side, our soundings
are clear in its indication that
the full mission engine room
simulators are never mentioned
in the texts of the IMO Model
Course 7.02, where the MLC was
lifted. The IMO Model Course 1.27
for ECDIS 2012 version also did
NOT require visuals in the ECDIS
simulator equipment.
This column still believes
that there must be some
wisdom in going way above the
MAY - JUNE 2014
minimum requirements of IMO,
if such wisdom is shared by the
Administration to those directly
affected. What complicates the
issue, the implementation of the
standards is NOT standard!
A maritime training center is
accredited for MLC Engine for 16
students based upon the manmachine ratio of 1:4, the center
has 1 instructor and 4 student
stations. This column shall take
soundings on other METIs to
take readings on the standard
implementation of the standards.
Talking about the standard
implementation of the standards,
this column is wondering how
does the man-machine ratio apply
to a maritime school with 5,000 or
more students at any given time!
Apparently, it does NOT!
30
MAY - JUNE 2014
TINIG NG MARINO
d’Amico Group conducts 2nd
In
keeping
with its Philippines
e x p a n s i o n
program,
which
began in earnest
last
year,
the
d’Amico
Group,
one
of
the
world
leading
shipping
group
in
coordination
with
local
manning agency
the
d’AMICO
SHIP
ISHIMA
PHILIPPINES
INC., conducted its
2ndSea and Shore
staff seminar last
June 10 and 11
at the Peninsula
Hotel, Makati. The
two-day event, which was attended
by more than 50 officers, is part of
an annual training intervention that
will ensure that the crew is updated
on guidelines and issues relevant to
their field, such as the ILO MLC 2006.
The seminar is a crucial component
of d’Amico Group’s single safety
quality system; Fleet Directorof
d’Amico Group,Mr.Salvatore d’Amico
explains that initiatives such as this
seminar ensure the same high level
implementation of the safety and
quality policies across the Group.
The d’Amico Group provides
international sea transport services
to major petroleum and trading
companies around the world and
ranks among the top 10 industry
players (per fleet dimension and
tonnage) in the Box Shaped Open
Hatch (Dry Cargo) and the MR/Handy
(Product Tankers) sectors. The Group
fully intends to maintain—and even
surpass—its current market position,
as its acquisition and expansion
efforts have gone full steam ahead.
The d’Amico Group fleet consists
of
Panamax,
Supramax
and
Handymaxvessels
for
the
dry
cargo and of MR and Handy for the
tankers. Today the average age of
the d’Amico fleet is 6 years, but this
numberwill be reduced even more in
the next two years with the finalization
of
the
newbuildings
program.
The seminar tackled various
topics and issues related to safety
and the streamlining of operations.
On the first day, after a welcome
d’Amico Sea and Shore staff, Foreign guests and Spouses
by Crew Director for the Philippines
Dante Lomiguen, Technical Manager
MassimoRittore discussed SOx- ECA
2015 requirements. Noted leadership
development consultant LirioOngpinMapa also delivered a talk about
organization effectiveness, and total
quality
management.
Australian
Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA)
Operations Manager Reza Vind also
gave an interesting talk about the MLC
and the PSC guidelines implementation
in his country, while American Bureau
of Shipping (ABS) Country Manager
Christopher O’Day gave a presentation
entitled Class View point is our
Mind Set.At the end of the first day
seminar,Mr. d’Amico, opened the floor
for discussion. It was at the buffet dinner,
also at The Peninsula Hotel where
the company treated the participants,
their wives and guests when Mr.
d’Amico delivered his Inspirational
Talk. The founding of d’Amico Sea
Jewels, an organization composed of
the spouses of the d’Amico seafarers,
were also presented by Mr. d’Amico.
For
the
seminar’s
Day
Two, Captains D.S.Taiano and
SaverioLeboffe gave their respective
presentations
regarding
maritime
safety. Captain Rinon discussed Dry
Cargo Operation while Mr. German
Garcia tackled Commercial Aspects.
Last but not the least Ms. Luciana
Maccarrone delivered a presentation
entitled
“Crew
Management—
reaching
the
common
goal”.
The d’Amico Group aggressive
expansion program seems to be going
very well, judging from the different
milestones that are met on schedule.
Just a few weeks ago, the d’Amico
fleet gained two new Medium Range
tankers and in the next few weeks,two
new bulk carriers will be delivered.
And more acquisitions are in
place.According the d’Amico Group
newbuildings program,approximately
33 last generation eco -vessels (in
total for both the Tankers and the
Dry cargo segment) are slated to be
receivedin the next 2 years. Since
the beginning of 2014, 6 vessels
have
already
been
delivered.
While the Group is christening new
ships, it is also busy selling off the
older ones, slowly transforming its
100-strong international fleet into a
modern flotilla that is bound to set
the industry standards for its kind.
Crew Director Dante Lomiguen
shares that the projection for the
Philippine-based
vessels
is
to
expand from 40 to 90 by 2016.
Perhaps one of the things, which
explainsd’Amico Group’s success,
particularly here in the Philippines,
is its strong foundation in family. The
company itself is now welcoming the
involvement of the third generation
d’Amico and as a family-run enterprise,
its values and goals seem strongly
aligned with the Filipino culture—which
emphasizes closely-knit ties and a
sense of malasakit. On a pragmatic
level, the d’Amico Philippines is also
dealing
with
different from its
competitors in that it
serves one principal/
owner operating its
own ships. Hiring
and
deployment
are taken, handled
between Sirius, the
Group’s worldwide
recruitment
arm,
and
the
local
manning
agency
d’Amico
Ship
Ishima Philippines,
Inc. In this way,
seafarers who sign
under d’Amico flag
have all of their
professional needs
taken care of by the
Group, eliminating
the
need
for
third-party agencies.
And even while the Group
invests millions of dollars in making
sure that its commercial assets can
appropriately support its role as a
strong market leader, attention is
also paid to its human assets—the
seafarers. Mr. d’Amico recognized the
importance of the crew as the key to
achie the Group’s two main operational
objectives: market leadership and
“Safe Operations Vessels” (SOV). To
this end, the international management
has made provisions to ensure that
the well-being of the people who work
for them are a priority. For example,
the personnel evaluation system is
continuously being improved to ensure
its suitability in assessing the behaviors,
competencies and attitudes of the crew
onboard. Critical to this assessment is
the identification of any performance
gaps so that in-house training (paid for
by the company) can be provided to
correct this at the earliest opportunity.
“Safety is of the highest order; we
cannot compromise,” Mr. d’Amico
staunchly declares. To make their
crew even more competitive and
current with the industry guidelines
and compliances, a bigger and much
improved training center within the
agency’s Makati City offices are set to be
inaugurated by August of this year. The
new facility, outfitted with the requisite
training software and equipment, will
allow bigger batches of trainees to
be accommodated simultaneously.
As for market leadership, the
MAY - JUNE 2014
TINIG NG MARINO
31
Sea and Shore Staff Seminar
Group is astute enough to realize that
in order to maintain their standing as
one of the leading global maritime
transport service provider, they have
to keep an eye on the future. One
of their tag lines, in fact, is:“A story
transporting thefuture”. In line with
this, a cadet program offers valuable
internship opportunities for young
maritime professionals who are looking
to establish their career with d’Amico.
Crew Director Lomiguendisclosed that
they are looking for young cadets who
plan to grow alongside the company:
“Say that a cadet comes to us at 19
years of age; in about 10 years, he
the office can offer them a professional
development ashore, they can settle
down to a land-based job with the
company so that they can still benefit
from the experience and expertise
they have gained over the years.
Since d’Amico both operates and
owns the ships, they can choose
within the company from many career
opportunities. And of course, we aim to
offer opportunities to those who have
proven their loyalty and capability.”
Indeed, d’Amico management would
seem to be committed about taking
care of their own. This malasakit does
From Left: Mr. Salvatore d’Amico – Fleet Director, d’Amico
Group and CE Dante Lomiguen – Crew Director, d’Amico
Ship Ishima Philippines
will hopefully be a master on one
of our ships. We are offering a lot of
opportunities to the cadets and the crew
that are under our care, that’s why we
are very selective with them. We are
looking to invest in their careers; that is
why we are searching for those who are
committed to develop. We don’t really
like to take on professionals who jump
from one position to another because
that implies a certain lack of drive.”
Mr. Salvatore d’Amico stressed
that“Continuity of service is important
to us, especially now that the company
is going into a stage where we are
expanding and modernizing everything.
By 2016 or even sooner, when the
fleet expansion is 100% realized,
we will have a lot of new ships in
primecondition. Not only that, they will
be exemplary in their class. The ships
will have an average age of 4 years,
so almost all of them will be practically
brand-new. We will need more
manpower for all those new ships, and
we are looking for young blood who will
be able to provide many years of service
onboard our vessels,” he shares.
“And afterwards, if any position in
not only show
itself
towards
the
seafarers
themselves but
extends even to
those whom they
leave
behind
when they are
onboard. A very
good
example
of this is the
d’AmicoIshima
Sea Jewels, an
organization
exclusively
organized
and
sponsored
by
the
company
From Left Ms. Francesca Manzi, Capt KS Budwal, Capt. Sanjeet Pattnaik,
Mr. Sonsun Jacob, Mr. Dante Lomiguen, Capt DS Taiano and
Mr. Salvatore d’Amico during the open forum
From Left: Mr. Salvatore d’Amico – Fleet Director, d’Amico Group and
Mr. Filippo Guadagna – Administrator, Sirius Ship Management, Srl
d’Amico Ishima Sea Jewels (spouses of d’Amico seafarers)
forits
seafarers’
spouses.
The Sea Jewels, as they are
fondly called, are being groomednot
only within Metro Manila but also all
over the country. Soon, provincial
workshops and seminars can also be
held for the benefit of the seafarers’
spouses based outside the metro.
The target venue for 2015 is a
toss-up between Cebu and Iloilo.
Crew Director Lomiguen says that
their hope is for the Sea Jewel ladies
to find their own niche; “This is not
necessarily to push them into business
if they really have other goals, but if it
happens, then why not. We don’t expect
them to put up their own venture after
attending the seminars; if all they get
out of it is a new recipe for tocino that
they can serve to their family instead of
buying from the grocery, and then we
consider it time and money well-spent.”
But for some of them, going to the
training actually sparks something
that they never considered before.
Lomiguen shares the story of one
wife who was actually very reluctant
to attend the meat processing
workshop, but wascajoled into going
by Lomiguen himself. A few weeks
after attending, she was making tocino
for the consumption of her family and
friends. She was able to tweak the
recipe she was taught, and her product
was so well-received that she soon got
orders from people she knew. Word of
mouth got around and orders got larger
so she opened up a small stall in the
wet market. Soon, she was handling
wholesale orders as well as retail, and
her husband was soon investing in
industrial-grade equipment for her. The
husband would buy these equipment
abroad while he was on contract, haul
them home and then spend some
time helping her run their business
before signing up for another contract.
MAY - JUNE 2014
TINIG NG MARINO
Channel 9 - Destiny
Channel 58 - Sky
every Saturday Channel 37 - UHF
6:15 to 7:00 P.M. Channel 92 - Cignal
NEW TIME SLOT OF TINIG
NG MARINO on TV is
Don't fail to watch the UNDISPUTED Maritime Television Show two time “Anak
TV Seal Awardee" TINIG NG MARINO at UNTV every Saturday at 6:15 to 7 P.M..
Channel 37 on UHF, Channel 9 on Destiny Cable, Channel 58 on Sky Cable,
Channel 92 on Cignal, Channel 58 on Digibox and millions all over the world are
watching via livestreaming on www.untvweb.com.
Topic: Jose Rizal Memorial State University and Marine 2014 Shipbuilding
and Offshore. Guest: Dr. Edgar Balbuena president of JRMSU, Blanca
Bustamante and Abigael Lamparas of Fireworks Philippines Exhibition and
Conference.
Topic: Of clowns, jesters and horrible maritime
disasters with guest Edward Rommel Brioso ‘97.
Topic: Maximo’s argumentum ad hominem
With guest C/Engr. Ben Lorque
Topic: European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) Summary Report
Topic: MARINA Drawing charges instead of
accomplishments.
TOPIC: The Management Level Curse.
Guest: Edward Rommel Briones
33
34
TINIG NG MARINO
MAY - JUNE 2014
HEALTH TIPS
dr. Elpidio C. Nolasco
MD, FPALES, FPCS, FACS
Diabetes Milletus: a silent killer
Type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM)
is best regarded as a cluster of
cardiovascular risk factors contributing
to
accelerating
atherosclerotic
(macrovascular)
disease,
often
present for many years before the
onset of clinical diabetes. It is better
referred to as the metabolic syndrome
or insulin resistance syndrome,
leading to premature cardiovascular
death, unless aggressive risk factor
reduction targeting blood glucose,
blood pressure, dyslipidaemia and the
pro-coagulant state is implemented.
As type 2 DM is expected to double
world-wide over the next 25 years,
the burden of type 2 DM presents a
major challenge to health authorities
to improve the prognosis of those
subjects with type 2 DM. It is not a ‘mild
disease’ but rather a ‘silent killer’.
By the year 2030, if efforts to
improve our present situation with
regards to the control of this disease is
not met, the Philippines will be included
in the top 10 countries worldwide
with the most number of diabetics at
approximately 7.8million.
The reason why DM type 2 is a silent
killer is because the disease process
starts unnoticed with absent or very
mild signs and symptoms. Disregarding
these small clues could lead to
devastating health problems leading to
incapacitation and even death.
The reason for it not to be
considered a mild disease is because
of its complications if left uncontrolled.
DM Type 2 is the leading cause of
blindness specially in working age
adults. It is the leading cause of end
stage renal disease leading to dialysis.
DM Type 2 is a major risk factor for
Myocardial Infarction (heart attack) and
cerebrovascular disease (brain stroke).
DM Type 2 is the leading cause of nontraumatic leg amputations. These are
but some of the destructive effects of
Diabetes Mellitus Type 2 when taken
for granted.
Since this is a familial disease
wherein heredity plays a major role, it is
best that once this disease is present in
your family, it is a must to consult your
physician for proper screening and
early diagnosis and management. It is
a must to have a healthy lifestyle and to
prevent obesity. Even if asymptomatic,
it is highly recommended having your
blood chemistry checked once you
reach the age of 40.
Remember, “Once a Diabetic,
always a Diabetic.” There is no cure
for this disease, however, on a positive
note, once diabetes type 2 is controlled;
it is possible for an individual with this
disease to live a healthy, fruitful and
active life.
MAY - JUNE 2014
from page 16
VAST HORIZON
in one of our prayer meetings, no
amount of material success can make
up for a failed parenting.
I had been an absentee father for
your Batch 1 kuyas and ate, and now
that we have you three for our Batch
2, what a wonderful opportunity and
blessing from God that I am able to be
with you and your siblings most of the
time. I have no regrets, as what I have
said in my column entitled Happiness
and Contentment in the previous issue
of Tinig ng Marino. And I must thank you
for being a part of that happiness and
contentment, making my life fulfilling
despite my imperfections as a father.
I must thank you my dear for
cooking the rice especially on Sundays
when we have no household help,
and for voluntarily washing the piles of
dishes when everyone seems too lazy to
do it. For giving me a soothing massage
on my head and fingers while watching
TV. For reminding me not to drive too
fast so that Mommy won’t get nervous.
For not giving me guilty feelings despite
the fact that I am not so much of a big
help whenever you are reviewing your
lessons or doing your homework.
How I admire your courage when
you got sick of Dengue (stage 4).
Despite the unbearable pain and tears,
you still managed to thank your mom
and said you were sorry for making her
tired and worried. You never let us feel
that God would take you away from us.
Thank you my dear for making your
mommy courageous as well, because I
had to leave for Japan at that time.
You often tell us that you can’t
remember your childhood. Well, let
me remind you that when you were
in nursery, your favorite expression
was “What the…?!” And then, as if in
exasperation, you would follow it up
with, “I don’t wanna…” Since then, they
have become our favorite expressions
also at home, in addition to your “Oh
man!”
You’ve just turned 18 last April
30. How time flies. Now at meal time,
aside from the funny thing that you
encounter during the day, you would
“lecture” us on the subconscious mind,
the extroverts and introverts, and some
glimpses about Sigmund Freud, Alfred
Adler and Carl Jung.
Before I forget, thank you because
you’ve just given me an idea what to
write for my column Vast Horizon. It was
past my deadline and unfortunately, I
was not able to squeeze it in my super
hectic schedule in Manila… but was
able to do so before the start of our
frenetic 5-day sea trial.
TINIG NG MARINO
35
36
MAY - JUNE 2014
TINIG NG MARINO
CTI-Mideast puts emphasis on
the training of its crew resources
For a couple years now,
CTI-Mideast
Shipmanagement
has placed strong emphasis on
CRM, that is, Crew Resource
Management, a program that trains
multidiscipline to work together in a
coordinated and safety conscious
environment.
This year, the “Junior Officers
Conference
Crew
Resource
Management “ Lessons from the
Flight” was held at the Hyatt Hotel
Manila, on May 13-14th, 2014.
Patrick Browne, President, Flight
Deck Safety Initiatives, based in
Houston, Texas, USA, once again
conducted the training. He has been
a regular trainer of CTI-Mideast
Shipmanagement.
About 50 young officers with a
few senior officers participated in the
conference. Most of them have barely
a year and a half of sea-experience.
But prior to the conference, the
crew already had established a
camaraderie among themselves, the
trainer and their bosses as obviously
displayed during the opening of the
conference.
Browne’s
lecture
focused
mainly on the human errors that may
be the cause of major fatal accidents
at work. He presented techniques
that have also been applied to other
high risk areas such a petrochemical,
rail, first response, medical, and
nuclear industries. Several historical
aviation and maritime accidents
over the years were reviewed and
discussed, followed by individual or
group exercises.
During the course, the facilitator
provided a precourse survey to
identify institutional cultures and a
postcourse survey to measure any
cultural shift resulting from lessons
Participants
gained
new
skills to improve communications
and leadership traits among crew
members that are highly important in
keeping safety in place. They learned
to identify and reduce error traps
and risks in their everyday practice;
develop a culture of professional
development
support;
keeping
workplaces safer and efficient; and
inprove employee performan and
retention.
lightly before bed, and avoid alcohol
and caffeine before going to sleep.
The over-all agenda of the crew
conference included the Course
Introduction, What is CRM-What’s it’s
NOt? Using All Available Resources,
Improving Communications Conflict
Resolution, Error Management and
the “Error Chain” Effects of Fatigue
and Countermeasures Increasing
Situational Awareness,and theThe
Human
Element-Conclusion,
Teamwork.
Aside from communication
problems, fatigue plays a big factor
affecting the human element. some
of the practical tips in the outline
include 7 or 8 hours of uninterrupted
sleep per day, take strategic naps
up to 20 minutes, have some presleep routine like warm shower,
reading,writing or meditation, a
conducive sleeping environment, eat
Flighdeck Safety Initiatives
(FSI) is a global provider of
custom designed safety training
and educational systems for
high riskindustries. FSI seeks to
reduce threat and error by making
workplaces safer and more efficient
resulting un reduced incidents. The
model for all courses is “ Lessons
from the Flight Deck.”
learned.
38
MAY - JUNE 2014
TINIG NG MARINO
MARINE PHILIPPINES 2014
boosts local shipbuilding industry
The
Philippine
maritime industry has
recently created a big
splash in promoting our
capacity in the business of
shipbuilding with the launch
of Marine Philippines 2014
co-located with Shipbuild
and Offshore Exhibition
on June 18-20 at the
SMX Convention Centre,
Manila, a premier event
organized by Fireworks
Philippines.
The Maritime Industry
Authority (MARINA) and
the Metro Manila Shipyard
ASsociation Inc., provided
the strong support for the
fulfillment of this international
gathering of shipping and the
allied services stakeholders with
Keppel Batangas and Subic as
the Premium Exhibitor along with
major participants and minor
participants that showcased the
latest products, technology and
services in the fields of marine,
shipbuilding,
offshore,
and
industrial.
Marshall
Cavendish
Business Information, Marine
Offshore Asian Edition Oil & Gas
Directory , Oil and Gas Australia,
Oil & Gas Asia, Business World,
Pinoy Extreme Channel/Beyond
the Sea-Filipino Seafarers TV,
and United Filipino Seafarers /
Tinig ng Marino newspaper
were the supporting media.
The foreign participants were
billeted at Midas Hotel Casino
and Microtel by Wyndham Mall
of ASia, the official partner
hotel of the event. Fireworks
Exhibition and Conferences Ltd.
Is one of the leading industrial
and maritime events organizer
staging Oil & Gas Thailand,
Petrochemical Asia, Marine &
Offshore Expo Indonesia, and
many more.
and Saudi Arabia Patrol boat,
proudly Filipino crafted. Major
shipyards in Subic, Batangas
and General Santos City
shared the same exposure,
as well as the latest marine
technology and innovative
products.
An array of marine,
shipbuilding, ship repair, cargo
handling, ports ,operations,
security,
navigation
and
communication,
electronics,
electrical,
engineering,refrigeration,
fuel and lubrication, fire,
With
warm
reception,
a
hundred
international
participants with offices in
Malaysia, Korea and Singapore
joined to showcase the current
trends in the maritime industry
and boost further the shipbuilding
potential of the Philippines which
is presently recognized as the
4th largest in the industry.
According to Ms. Elizabeth
Bun, Country Manager of
Fireworks Philippines, it took
them barely a year to organize
their first event in the Philippines.
“With two local staff, and our
other offices in Asia particularly
in Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia
and Singapore, we were able
to gather these participants
and so far succeeded beyond
our expectation. “MARINA and
Commodore Carlos L.Agustin,
Chairman of the Maritime League
pledged to support our event
for next year,” she announced.
“ In fact, the event next year
is slated on June 26-28 at the
same venue, promising more
international participants, bigger
hall, more booths, conferences
and technology presentations.
Ms. Bun also
expressed
appreciation
to the support
of the local
m e d i a
partners that
contributed
to a wider
maritime
i n d u s t r y
reach.
For most
first-time
participants
in
the
Philippines,
they expressed
excitement
as well as
satisfaction
terms
of
exposure,
q u a l i t y
participants
in
terms
of
networking, and visitors in hitting
their target market, as they plan
to expand their distributorship. A
Philippine custom-made marine
propeller
has gained much
attention during the show. On
display were the replica of the
made to order propeller of Korea
safety and survival, processing
and packing equipment and
technology was on display as
well as the latest in the offshore
operations such as LPG/LNG
drilling, heavy lift, tubular and
piping, design and construction,
data acquisition, transmission,
cabling and flow control support
and supplies.
(MIA M.LAPIS)
40
MAY - JUNE 2014
TINIG NG MARINO
Senator seeks probe of maritime accidents
Neophyte Sen. Bam Aquino
has called for an investigation on the
seaworthiness of ships in the country,
noting the deadly consequences
of neglect, laxity and sometimes
corruption.
Aquino said eight deadly sea
disasters happened in country in the
past two decades, including the worst
maritime tragedy in history when MV
Doña Paz collided with the tanker MT
Vector, killing more than 4,000 people
in 1987.
“Maritime authorities should give
emphasis on the seaworthiness of the
vessels being used by the shipping
companies and must demonstrate
stronger commitment in the effective
implantation of the laws in order to
safeguard the safety of the public,”
Aquino said in a statement.
He tallied the maritime disasters
in the country, following the Doña Paz
sinking. “A year after the Doña Paz
tragedy, MV Doña Marilyn, a sister
ship of MV Doña Paz, sank after
it was caught in Typhoon Unsang,
killing 389 passengers, while in 1988,
150 passengers of MV Princess of
the Orient sank while sailing to Cebu
during a typhoon off Fortune Island in
Batangas.”
Also included on the list of
maritime disasters were those of MB
Sunjay on January 15, 2006, MB
Leonida II on November 25, 2006, MV
Catalyn on June 10, 2007, MV Blue
Water Princess I on July 12, 2007,
and MV Don Wilfredo on February 14,
2008.
Under the watch of Maritime
Industry Authority (MARINA) chief
Maximo Mejia, at least three maritime
accidents have
occured.
“To avoid a
repeat of such
incidents, let
us ensure the
seaworthiness
and
efficient
operations of
ships in the
country,”
he
stressed.
“ T h e
n a t i o n a l
government
has the duty
to
implement
positive measures that can alleviate,
if not resolve, the recurring maritime
accidents over the past decades,”
Aquino said in his resolution.
“It should give appropriate
emphasis on the seaworthiness of the
vessels being used by the shipping
companies and must demonstrate
stronger commitment in the effective
implantation of the laws in order to
safeguard the safety of the public,” he
added.
Aquino said under the Carriage
of Goods by Sea Act, carriers are
bound before and at the beginning of
the voyage to exercise due diligence
to make the ship seaworthy.
“For a vessel to be seaworthy, it
must be adequately equipped for the
voyage and manned with a sufficient
number of competent officers and
crew,” the senator said. Failure of
a common carrier to maintain in
seaworthy condition the vessel
involved in its contract of carriage is
a clear breach of its duty prescribed
in Article 1755 of the Civil Code.
“The public relies on the care
and skill of common carriers in
the vigilance over the goods and
safety of the passengers, especially
because transportation has become
more rapid, more complicated and
somehow more hazardous,” Aquino
said.
MAY - JUNE 2014
TINIG NG MARINO
41
The tragedy after Doña Paz
by Ruth Cervantes
during a storm, killing
77 people.
Ten years later, in
1998,
70
people
died and 80 went
missing when the MV
Princess of the Orient
sank near Fortune
Island in Batangas.
MV Princess
of the World, another
Sulpicio
owned
ship
caught
fire
near
Zamboanga
Peninsula in 2005,
where,
fortunately,
all passengers and
complement
were
rescued.
An old, overloaded passenger
ship sinks after colliding with an oil
tanker, killing hundreds of passengers
– that is how the tragedy that the MV
Dona Paz is remembered.
was unqualified to run the tanker.
Hence, the BMI declared that MT Vector
was to blame for the collision, and
absolved Sulpicio Lines of any liability
for the accident.
The
International
Maritime
Organization considers this the biggest
maritime tragedy in the world. Yet,
sadly, many more disasters occurred at
sea, five of them involving ships from
the Doña Paz owners Sulpicio Lines
– MV Doña Marilyn, MV Princess of
the Orient, MV Princess of the World,
Princess of the Stars and Sulpicio
Express Siete.
Separate inquiries were made
by the Senate and the House of
Representatives, both found folly on the
part of both Dona Paz and the Vector.
Remembering Doña Paz
It was a few days before Christmas
in 1987, when the MT Vector carrying
Caltex petroleum products collided in
open sea with Sulpicio Lines-owned
MV Doña Paz ferrying passengers from
Leyte to Manila. Survivor accounts
showed that it was carrying some
4,000 passengers, more than twice its
declared capacity of 1,518 passengers
and 60 crew members. Only 26 people
survived – 24 from the passenger ship
and two from the oil tanker.
In 1988, the Board of Marine
Inquiry (BMI) found that that only one
apprentice member of the crew of the
Doña Paz was monitoring the bridge
when the accident occurred. The other
officers were either drinking beer or
watching television, while the ship’s
captain was watching a movie on his
Betamax.
However, the BMI found that
Vector Shipping Inc. had no license to
operate the vessel and that the crew
Survivors
and
relatives
of
those who perished and were lost in
the tragedy were reportedly offered
P30,000 by Sulpicio Lines in exchange
for not taking legal action against the
company. They rejected the offer and
filed lawsuits against Sulpicio Lines.
In one case, the Supreme
Court held that Sulpicio Lines should
pay damages to the heirs of victims
Sebastian and Corazon Canezal for
breach of contract of carriage, but also
held that Vector Shipping Corp should
reimburse Sulpicio Lines whatever
damages, attorneys’ fees and costs it is
ordered to pay the victims.
Tragedy after tragedy
If the lives lost and property
destroyed should have accounted
for something, it is that it should have
spurred our authorities into action
to address the woes plaguing the
Philippine maritime industry, which
places the lives of our countrymen at
risk. It is a very costly lesson indeed,
but one which seems to have been
unheeded by scrupulous shipowners
and government regulators alike. Such
is the tragedy after Doña Paz.
Less than one year after the Dona
Paz tragedy, MV Doña Marilyn capsized
MV Princess of the
Stars capsized on
June 21, 2008 off
the coast of Sibuyan
Island, Romblon at the height of
Typhoon “Frank.” It was reported that
only 32 of the 800 passengers survived.
The more recent incident was on
August 16, 2013, where 116 passengers
died when Sulpicio Express Siete
collided with Aboitiz owned passenger
ship MV St. Thomas off Talisay City in
Cebu.
Woes of Philippine maritime travel
The law exacts from common
carriers such as the owners of Doña Paz
and Vector the exercise of extraordinary
diligence in the conveyance of
passenger and cargo. Article 1756 of the
Civil Code provides, “In case of death
of or injuries to passengers, common
carriers are presumed to have been
at fault or to have acted negligently,
unless they prove that they observed
extraordinary diligence as prescribed in
articles 1733 and 1755.
The law also says that such
responsibility for the safety of
passengers “cannot be dispensed
with or lessened by stipulation, by the
posting of notices, by statements on
tickets, or otherwise.”
According to one study (The
Sinking of the MV Dona Paz – A Critique
on Maritime Disaster Preparedness in
the Philippines: Policy Implications by
Anthony Perez, Abelardo Antonio and
Rafael Consunji), there are several
problems besetting Philippine maritime
travel.
Among the problems enumerated
are as follows: (1) obsolescence of and
defect in navigational aids, including
buoys and lighthouses; (2) Coast
Guard’s lack of equipment in patrolling
the seas and mounting search and
rescue operations; (3) outdated ships
which are no longer seaworthy; (4)
overloading due to laxity on the part
of government regulators and the ship
owners’ desire for profit; (5) inadequacy
of sanctions imposed by laws; (6) the
exodus of highly qualified mariners
because they are poorly compensated
here than elsewhere in the world.
The authors however said that
there are solutions to these problems,
such as stricter implementation of laws,
and the vigilance of both government
agencies and the riding public.
Sources: Philippine Daily Inquirer, CNN, Acta
Medica Philippina, marichulambino.com
42
MAY - JUNE 2014
TINIG NG MARINO
Allured by New Sim Montevista!
Imagine the sea breeze
blowing and the waves
rushing while having some
fun time with your family.
This is all possible in
Montevista resort.
Located in the heart
of Siriaya, Quezon this
charming resort is right inside
the property where the famed
New Sim Training Center is.
Among the amenities
Montevista offers are: kiddie
and adult pool, playground,
banana boat, football field,
volleyball court, etc.
Aside from seafarers
training at the New Sim Ark,
Montevista also caters to
people who just want to have
some fun and relaxation at
very reasonable prices.
Last May, the United
Filipino Seafarers (UFS)
cadets and staff had the
privilege
of
staying
in
Montevista.
The gang was welcomed
by Ms. Lorna delos Reyes
with a sumptuous meal which
really calmed the nerves of
everyone who had to endure
the hours of travel from the
hectic traffic of Manila.
Among the amenities
enjoyed by the UFS were the
pool, the volleyball court, the
children’s playground and two
cozy suites courtesy of the
resort.
Montevista proved to be
a haven away from home.
The suite where the UFS
gang stayed were equipped
with a television with cable,
air condition and a great view.
The beach is fantastic,
Although its sand is not white.
the beach boasts of clear and
clean water which is excellent
for swimming.
Not into seawater? You
may choose between their
kiddie and adult pool that are
religiously kept clean by the
staff for their visitors’ safety
and enjoyment.
For those who are not into
swimming, Monte Vista has
an exceptional playground
where even adults can have
fun and be kids again.
Giant
chessboard,
anyone? You can play it or just
roam around the vast property
and enjoy the sceneries.
You may even have fun and
excitement on the hanging
bridge near the New Sim Ark.
Seafarers, one which they
look forward to experiencing
again...and again. One cadet
was even heard saying, “This
is a very wonderful place and
we’re very lucky to have been
able to stay here.”
Montevista also offers
videoke or karaoke for those
who want to test their singing
skills. It is also perfect for
corporate events as the place
is huge and can accommodate
hundreds of people.
So for all the seafarers
looking
for
high-quality
training while spending time
with their families, Montevista
and New Sim Ark will be the
best option for you!
On the second day, New
Sim Ark toured the cadets
around their training center
where they offer state of the
art technology and equipment.
Perfect for a seafarer looking
for high-quality training.
All in all, it was an
awesome two-day vacation for
the gang of the United Filipino
MAY - JUNE 2014
TINIG NG MARINO
45
At the House of Representatives during the consultation of the Magna Carta for Filipino
Seafarers which is sponsored by Cong. Walden Bello and Cong. Emmeline Aglipay.
NO HOLDS BARRED: Tinig ng Marino on air every Sunday at Radyo
Inquirer 990 AM band from 10 to 11am.
NPR filing cases against MARINA officials
at the Office of the Ombudsman
Sharing knowledge to entrepreneurs about
maritime industry at the Rotary Club of
Makati, Makati City
Celebrating the International Day of the Seafarer at LUSWELF. NPR
anwering the questions raised by concerned seafarers.
NPR expresses his disappointment and anger to MARINA on the issue of SIRB and CoP
during the Rally lead by AMOR Seaman at LUSWELF
NPR with seafarers after the Para-Legal Lecture at LUSWELF
From left to right: C/Engr. Rodriguez, C/Engr. A. Gascon, C/Engr. Rodolfo Virtudazo,
C/Engr. B. Balintec and NPR during the oathtaking of Marine Engineers at Manila Hotel
46
MAY - JUNE 2014
TINIG NG MARINO
On the right side corner
of the MARINA website,
you will find out that the
solution is provided by the
National Printing Office
(NPO).
ANOTHER THREAT?
How can the SIRB, which
is printed by the APO, be
verified if the solution is
provided by the NPO?
The problem with the SIR
SHEET that has caused a lot
of trouble to some seafarers in
getting UEA and French visa and
also problems with the immigration
and port state control authorities
is over because the new SIRB has
been delivered to MARINA.
But it seems that there will be
more problems in this new SIRB
than the SIR SHEET.
VIRGILIO “VIO” SALABIT,
THE UNTOLD STORY
In our fight against ambulance
chasers who are like rust that
destroys the seafaring industry,
Tinig Ng Marino exposed chief
cook Philip Sarmiento who was
known for being a specialist in
money claims pretending
the
loss of hearing of his left ear for
four times. How he was able to do
it remains an enigma until now to
the people in the industry.
Tinig also exposed a chief
cook who claimed for total disability
because his work required him to
stay in a crouching position, carry
spare parts and smell fuel fumes.
There was also a boatswain
who filed a case because
delicious foods were served on
board especially on their Sabado
Nights when they were treated to
17 courses, and the red wine and
beer were overflowing.
This month, Tinig stumbled
upon a case on the website
of NLRC in which a decision
was issued last May 22, 2014
concerning a certain C/Engr.
Virgilio Salabit who filed a claim
for total disability for suffering from
Tuberculosis Pleural Effusion,
Diabetes Mellitus and Lumbar
Spondylosis. Tinig is surprised
how C/Engr. Salabit was able to
pass through the rigid physical
examination before he could get
back to work on board with such
three serious diseases.
The SIRB which was issued
by MARINA before has biometrics,
symbology sticker and bar code
and machine
verifiable. The
previous SIRB
also serves as
a Seafarers
Identification
Document
(SID)
as
defined in ILO
Convention
108
that
SID with no
standardized
features
may
be
merged with
“
seaman’s
passport”.
P o r t
State Control
Authorities
or
even
immigration
officers
will
be forced to
verify
this
new SIRB’s
because
it
has markings
that says to
verify please
log on to www.
m a r i n a . g o v.
ph. If the port
state control
authorities
will log on to
the MARINA
website,
they will be
convinced
that the new SIRB is fake because
there is no way to verify its
authenticity because the security
features have been removed.
Let’s just cross our fingers
on the fate of the Filipino
seafarers holding this kind
of SIRB when navigating
the ports Russia, China,
Africa,
Middle
East,
Pakistan, India, Egypt
and in South and Central
America when port state control
authorities immigration officials
will question their SIRB.
MAY - JUNE 2014
TINIG NG MARINO
47
UFS-LUSWELF Joint International
Day of Seafarer Celebration
by JF A. Balbaguio
The United Filipino Seafarers
(UFS) and Luneta Seafarers
Welfare
Foundation
Inc.
(LUSWELF) led the International
Day of the Seafarer celebration last
June 25 with more than a thousand
seafarers in the “Seafarers Park” at
T.M. Kalaw, Luneta with the theme
#thankyouseafarers.
The International Maritime
Organization (IMO) designated
June 25 as the International Day of
the Seafarer in 2010 during the IMO
Manila Amendments to recognize
the fact that almost everything we
use in our daily lives is directly or
indirectly affected by sea transport.
Engr. Ramirez stressed the
role of the Filipino seafarers in
nation building. He said that of the
$22 billion dollars sent home by
OFWs working in different places
in the world, $4.8 billion dollars
were remitted by 400,000 seafarers
or almost one fourth of the total
remittance of the OFWs. He added
that since the early sixties up to
the present there has never been a
time that the deployment of Filipino
seafarers decreased. It didn’t even
happen during the global financial
crisis in the late nineties.
However, the EU threat of
withdrawing the recognition of our
certificates must be addressed
properly and not just be a window
dressing like what we did for so
many years. We must open our
eyes that our main problem is
No Effective Monitoring and No
Quality
Management
system
implementation.
Mr. Miguel Rocha, EVP
and CEO of C.F. Sharp Crew
Management, shared a story on
how the maritime countries in
Europe started to hire Filipino
seafarers. C.F. Sharp was the
leading manning agency in the
country in the early sixties. Mr.
Rocha acknowledged the big
contribution of our seafarers but he
cautioned that rampant corruption
in government agencies in getting
the certificates and the court cases
filed by ambulance chasers who
are persuading seafarers to file
unwarranted claims against their
employers have already caused
problems to some shipowners.
Lately, five of their ships manned by
full Filipino crew had been replaced
by other nationals because of the
several cases filed by the crew
against the owners.
During the open forum,
seafarers voiced their sentiments on
the problems that they encountered
in getting their CoP, SIR Sheet and
SIRB. They said that some of them
have been waiting for five months
for their CoP and SIRB. MARINA
claims that the long queue is no
longer there, but some seafarers
who just applied for their CoP
said that the queue starts before
midnight. A pumpman said that
he arrived at 12 midnight and was
given a number 37 stub. Engr.
Ramirez answered all the questions
raised by concerned seafarers.
During
the
celebration,
numerous raffle prizes and freebies
were given to lucky winners. Parlor
games were also held courtesy of
the various sponsors. Part of the
program was Talentadong Seaman
in which seafarers entertained the
crowd with their sea adventures and
dance performance.
After lunch break, Mr. Rancho
Villavicenio of Maritime Piracy
Humanitarian Response Philippines
talked about Maritime Piracy
Awareness. On the other hand,
Mr. Wendell Daguno imparted his
knowledge about Financial Literacy.
The sponsors of the event
were Globe Seafarers Sim, SM
Development Corporation, SBR
Maritime Services, Bright Maritime
Corporation,
Maersk
Filipinas
Crewing Inc., Dalisay Shipping
Corp , Vision Marine and VCC-Mak
Ventures.
MAY - JUNE 2014
First MLC
amendments
introduce
“safety net” for
stranded crew
More than 300 government, ship owner
and union delegates met in Geneva last April
to discuss a financial security system that will
provide stranded seafarers with owed wages,
repatriation and other reasonable costs until
they arrive home.
The agreement also ensures proper
compensation is paid for death and personal
injury.
The amendment which had 8,890 votes
in favor, none against and 143 abstentions
will now go for approval at the International
Labour Conference this month.
UFS president Engr. Nelson Ramirez
is very happy with this development. “This
is great news for our seafarers. We at UFS
have had cases wherein the crew already
considered boiling and eating their socks
due to starvation after being abandoned.
The manning agencies can only do so much
since they themselves would have to look for
resources when a shipowner goes bankrupt.”
Guy Ryder, secretary-general of the
International Labour Organization said the
agreement is significant, “When this comes
into force, these measures will ensure the
welfare of the world’s seafarers and their
families if the seafarers are abandoned, or if
death or long-term disability occurs as result
of occupational injury, illness or hazard,” he
explained.
Under this new provisions, vessels
would be required to carry certificates or other
documents to establish that financial security
exists to protect seafarers working onboard,
failure to do so would mean detention of
vessel in a port.
Michaelmar Philippines Director Spyros
Ravanopoulos says “the new provisions if
executed properly would definitely be good for
seafarers and in effect diminish the number
of abandonment cases, however, one can
simply manufacture such information needed
to guarantee an issuance of a certificate of
financial security. That being said, this is truly
a positive step.”
As of March 2014, the ILO database
lists 159 abandoned merchant vessels, some
dating way back in 2006.
TINIG NG MARINO
49
50
MAY - JUNE 2014
TINIG NG MARINO
NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC
NOTICE OF REWARD
DECKMASTER MARINE SOFTWARES, INC. is
the registered copyright owner of LoadMan
and BridgeMan computer software programs.
A Reward of FIFTY THOUSAND PESOS (P50,000.00) will
be given to anyone whose information will lead to the
apprehension of any person who sells or distributes
pirated LoadMan and/or BridgeMan Programs.
Persons who purchase, sell or distribute
unauthorized or pirated copies of said
computer software programs can and will be
criminally prosecuted in accordance with
Article 217 of the Intellectual Property Code of
the Philippines.
ALCUDIA LAW OFFICE
Counsel for Deckmaster Marine
A Reward of FIFTY THOUSAND PESOS (P50,000.00) will
be given to anyone whose information will lead to the
apprehension of any person who uses
pirated
LoadMan and/or BridgeMan Programs.
The information received shall be treated with utmost
confidentiality.
Please Contact:
Deckmaster Marine
Mobile:
0917 591 6901
Landline: 788 9124
E-mail:
enelcarter@gmail.com
MAY - JUNE 2014
TINIG NG MARINO
from page 20
Engr. Ramirez files...
CHED did not demonstrate that
their monitoring activities had been
fully implemented and conducted in
a uniform way and in addition, they
did not yet fully ensure the training
and independence of all evaluators
required
to
implement
the
monitoring. No Effective Monitoring
and No Quality Management
System Implementation has been
the perennial problem since the first
EMSA audit in 2006 up to 2013.
However, instead of solving the
problem we are making a diverse
solution.
With the current problems
that MARINA is facing concerning
the issuance of Certificate of
Competency (CoP) and the
issuance of Seafarer’s Identification
and Record book (SIRB) where
there is a big backlog, the
seafaring industry is doomed to
fail if MARINA will take over more
functions from other government
agencies. Shipowners will not wait
for their Filipino seafarers for five
to six months because they are
still waiting for the release of their
Certificates. Evidently, the delay
caused the Philippines the loss of
millions of dollars. This is economic
sabotage. MARINA took more than
it could chew. Gluttony is a sin.
In the first three months of Dr.
Maximo Mejia as Administrator of
MARINA, there were already two
major maritime disasters and both
disasters are not resolved until now.
More than a hundred innocent lives
perished in the two major disasters
and the survivors and families of the
victims are still waiting for justice.
51
Cash sent by Pinoy seafarers
arrests OFW remittances’ slide
Money sent home by Filipino
seafarers helped government
mitigate the over-all lackluster
growth in dollar remittances of
OFWs in April.
The Bangko Sentral ng
Pilipinas (BSP) reported that cash
transfers from sea-based Filipino
workers grew faster at 8.3 percent
to hit $1.8 billion in April.
BSP said the continued
expansion of cash remittances,
which help fuel consumption
activities, was also traced by the
central bank to the larger network
of remittance centers abroad and
the continued expansion of landbased and sea-based workers’
contracts during the period.
by OFWs grew at a slower pace in
April compared to previous month
of March.
The central bank said cash
remittances sent by OFWs grew
by 5.2 percent in April to $1.91
billion, up from the $1.82 billion in
the same month last year.
This brought the total cash
remittances in the January-toApril period to $7.39 billion, up
from $6.99-billion remittances in
the same four-month period in
2013.
The remittance growth rate,
however, was the slowest since
March 2013 when this grew by
4.2 percent.
In general, cash remittances
“Remittance flows remained
continued on page 53
MAY - JUNE 2014
TINIG NG MARINO
52
Dare the difference!
W
hat is the big difference between Tinig ng Marino and
other maritime newspapers?
It’s helluva lot of a difference. In terms of volume and
readership reach, Tinig ng Marino can stand and challenge all
other maritime papers including the glossy ones as to which is
widely circulated or attained an optimum pass-on readership.
The 2 Philippine Seafarer Congress
nd - OCTOBER 2012
SEPTEMBER
Vol. XVIII
No.5
SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER 2012
http:www.ufs.com.ph
TINIG NG MARINO
1
p32
PHP 20.00
Philippines ratifies
Maritime Labour
Convention
Danita
Paner
Alternative
Princess
Story on page 3
TURN TO PAGE 40
As the biggest and the widest in circulation, it can take
any challenge by counting the number of copies that Tinig has
printed for each issue. It also reaches the various corners of
the world where Filipino seafarers set sail and confront the
high seas.
Over the years, Tinig has been consistent on the issues it
has fought for, particularly on its advocacy to inform the public
about the real things that is happening in the industry.
It has fearlessly published what other maritime papers
have failed to do. As it exposes anomalies, it also publishes
the good things about this dynamic sector.
Most of Tinig articles are even exclusive because we are
there where the action is -- as one of the players in the industry.
Being the official publication of the United Filipino Seafarers,
Tinig ng Marino has been influential in the the many changes
occurring in the country’s maritime industry. The evidence can
be easily verified by browsing the UFS website.
It need not engage in cutthroat competition by bringing
advertisement rate down and employing sexy marketing
managers. Tinig clients knew they get their money’s worth.
It would be unfair to compare Tinig ng Marino to other
maritime newspapers just as if one were comparing a choice
between Rolls Royce and a Kia Pride.
Season’s Greetings
Vol. XVIII
No.6
NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2012
http:www.ufs.com.ph
PHP 20.00
Seafarers hail
congress a success
Story on page 3
TIN PATRIMONIO
A real
sweetheart
ENTERTAINMENT
►PAGE
42
TNM Exclusive:
Unholy
Alliance 4
►PAGE 22
from page 51
Cash sent by Pinoy seafarers...
robust on the back of sustained
demand for skilled Filipino
workers,” the central bank said.
Land-based workers’ cash
transfers, nevertheless, posted
continued growth to hit $5.6
billion, growing by 5 percent from
the same period last year.
Remittances,
meanwhile,
including the cash transfers and
in kind, hit $2.1 billion in April
2014, up 5.2 percent from the
same month last year.
Money sent home by
Filipino migrant workers is a
reliable proxy of the health of the
Philippine economy as domestic
consumption accounts for a large
part of the country’s local output
measured as its gross domestic
product (GDP).
The government
5-percent
growth
targets a
rate
for
remittances for 2014.
No matter the slowdown,
however,
the
four-month
cumulative growth in remittances
still exceeded the government’s
target of 5.8 percent.
Most remittances were sourced
from the United States, Saudi
Arabia, the United Arab Emirates,
the United Kingdom, Singapore,
Japan and Hong Kong, according
to the central bank.
The monetary authorities also
cited preliminary data from the
Philippine Overseas Employment
Administration showing approved
job orders for the year totaling
319,888.
The bulk of the job orders
were for services, production,
professional, technical and related
workers in Saudi Arabia, the United
Arab Emirates, Taiwan, Kuwait and
Qatar.
54
TINIG NG MARINO
by Alvin
Patrimonio
The Maritime Golf Association
of the Philippines (MGAP) last April
20, 2014 had their 4th tournament
at the Ayala Greenfield Golf and
Leisure Club.This is their 32nd
year as one of the leading golf
association in the maritime industry.
Winners of the tournament are
as follows: Justin Limjap who scored
70-3-67 (5 birdies) led the Class A
followed by Kenneth Lachica with
his score 78-11-67.
SPORTS
MAY - JUNE 2014
MGAP holds 4th tournament
in their 32nd year
The winners proudly show their trophies
At the greens of Intramuros with Capt. Jess
Morales, NPR, Capt. Wally Rivas, Benjamin
Macaraeg “ Batch 70” and Darryl Ashe
Class B champ is Engel
Guzman 94-28-66. His runner-up
Julius Coching got 93-20-73.
From left: Rene Vargas, Capt. Dever Besana, NPR and Gerry Vergara
Senior champ is Willie Monillas
with 87-18-69. Runner-up Dave
Besana got 92-22-70.
Rupert Bayucot is guest
champion with 84-13-71 (1 birdie, 6
pars).
The
tournament
was
sponsored by CEL Logistics, Inc.,
Fair Shipping and Agency Inc., First
Global Integrated Insurance Agency
Inc. and Pac-Atlantic Holding
Company.
Unwinding during a weekend after all the
hectic schedule with Noemi Zabala at
Intramuros Golf Course.
At the Navy Golf Course: From left: Adm. Sonny Tolentino, Gen. F.
Niduaza, Gen. Lito Tabancura, NPR and Capt. Danny Tampus
Courts order shipping firms to pay
obligations to local companies
The Courts ordered two ships
by shipping companies registered in
Panama to pay substantial sums to
local companies, a bank and sailors.
One ship was ordered to pay
€617,279 to a bank and four local oil
suppliers, whilst another had to pay
€43,152 to 22 sailors.
The first case was brought
before the Courts by Dr. Ann
Fenech, representing Macquire
Bank Limited, Salvo Grima & Sons
Limited, San Lucian Oil Company
Limited, Island Bunker Oils Limited
and Cassar Petroleum Services
Limited against the Ship called “A
Ladybug”, owned by the company;‘A
Ladybug Corporation’.
The bank asked to be paid
€70,362 for unpaid work done by 12
seamen aboard the vessel, which
the bank had forked out.
Macquire Bank Ltd also paid
a sum of €123,435 to the Transport
Authority, €74,950 for the ship to
anchor in Malta and €48,485 for the
provision of ‘emergency bunker fuel’.
The four local companies also
requested payment for fuel and
water supplied to the ship.
Following the company’s failure
to react to the request for payment
by the other companies, Judge
Mark Chetcuti ordered it to pay the
requested sum.
Meanwhile, Judge Anthony
Ellul ordered a vessel belonging
to another company of the same
parent corporation, to pay the sum
of € 43,152 to 22 sailor who were not
paid for services they provided.
International
Transport
Workers’
Federation’s Paul
Falzon opened this case against
the ship called “B Ladybug” and
told the Courts that although the
company had agreed to certain
settlements equivalent to €
43,152, it had not yet paid.
After the company failed
to respond to the request within
the specified time limit, Judge
Anthony Ellul granted the request
of the crew and ordered the
company to pay the requested
sum.
MAY - JUNE 2014
TINIG NG MARINO
MARINA and UFS in War and Peace
Mejia his due, he is indeed
accurate in observing that
he has earned Ramirez’s
outspoken
disapproval
within the first few months
of
assuming
MARINA
leadership.
Ramirez’s
motives
are easily explained: “By
Dr. Max Meija’s first three
months of office, there has
already been two major
maritime disasters. And
now, another collision at
sea just occurred in Cavite.
Add to that the promotion
of Atty. Bañas’ brother,
from being a former driver,
as head of maritime safety
despite having no maritime
expertise.”
The bottom line,
according to Ramirez, is
NPR receives plaque of appreciation from DOTC that numerous instances
secretary Joseph Emilio Aguinaldo Abaya during of ineptness and weak
the International Day of Seafarers Celebration last leadership in the MARINA
has
put
the
Filipino
year
seafarers’ livelihood and
It’s no secret that there is no love
profession at grave risk—
lost between Maritime Industry Authority something which he could hardly be
(MARINA) head Maximo Meija Jr. and expected to tolerate sitting down.
United Filipino Seafarer president Engr.
Nelson P. Ramirez. The union leader To enumerate but a few of
has been unapologetically critical of the UFS’ grievances against the Mejia
Mejia administration, frequently calling administration:
out its incompetency in carrying out
the agency’s functions. Not only that, Soon after Mejia came into
Ramirez has actually filed several official office, many of the previously
complaints against Mejia and MARINA abolished assessment centers were
Deputy Administrator Gloria Bañas: re-established and doing even better
both Mejia and Bañas are currently business than before. Seafarers who
facing a graft complaint before the have already passed the rigorous
Office of the Ombudsman in connection board exams administered by the
with the suspicious awarding of the Philippine Regulatory Commission
P59M contract for printing seaman’s (PRC) found themselves inexplicably
books while Bañas has additionally flunking the evaluations given by these
been charged with nepotism before the unscrupulous assessment centers only
Office of the President after appointing to magically pass after coughing up
her brother and sister-in-law to choice P6000-P8000 in bribes euphemistically
positions within the Maritime Safety marketed as ‘reviewer’s fees’.
Audit Office.
The agency is so inefficiently
run that among a daily average of
600 seafarers who go to the MARINA
seeking to be issued various documents
such as the Certificate of Proficiency
(CoP), only 80 to 130 applications are
accepted. The seamen have to start up
queuing before midnight, in readiness
for the agency’s opening at 8 am. At
any given weekday night, you can drive
along Parkview Plaza in Ermita, Manila
where you will see these individuals
lining the sidewalk, hunched on the
cold ground or asleep on makeshift cots
like so many homeless men. Inclement
weather notwithstanding, they remain
stoically in their place, afraid to concede
their slot. The most fortunate of them (if
they could be called that) will only have
to go through this overnight ordeal once;
others will have to line up twice or thrice.
Unless, of course, they happen to know
someone with prodigious connections.
Applications for the crucial documents,
by the way, take up to seven months
to be processed--- seven long months
wherein seafarers find themselves
grounded without income. The simple
and obvious solution to this would be
adding more desks, more computers,
and more personnel but for some
reason, MARINA remains adamant on
this count. Perhaps because getting rid
of the red tape would likewise eliminate
the necessity of bribes and fixer’s fees?
Instead of the official Seafarers
Identification and Record Book (SIRB)
or Seaman’s Book, a vital passport
of sorts required for all seagoing
professional the world over, many of
our legitimate Filipino seafarers are
currently going around international
ports presenting a MARINA-issued
piece of paper arbitrarily dubbed as an
“SIR sheet”. This legal document faux
pas is all because MARINA chose a
supplier who could not deliver any of the
needed materials on time. Compared to
other (neglected?) functions assigned to
the MARINA, the matter of ensuring the
smooth issuance process for needed
papers is a relatively simple business
yet the agency manages to fail even at
this. Again, the deal smacks of graft and
malpractice.
The MARINA has been notably
complacent of maritime safety law
violators such as Sulpicio Lines, which
has been responsible for more than 45
maritime disasters over the past three
decades including the 1987 sinking of
M/V Dona Paz which holds the world
record for the worst peacetime maritime
death toll at 4,375. Rather than
recommending the total cancellation of
the franchise, Mejia even went so far as
to defend Sulpicio Lines as “faultless”
throughout all these catastrophes,
placing any blame squarely on the
shoulders of its ship officers and crew.
Instead of being a tireless
promoter for ethical practice under
his command, Mejia disappointingly
continues to turn a blind eye. Meija
claims that he does not perceive any
conflict of interest in the appointment
of Atty. Alvin Tormon as executive
director of the Standards on Training,
Certification and Watchkeeping Office
(STCWO) even though Tormon owns
and operates a few training and review
centers. Mejia also exhibits the same
tolerance towards Deputy Administrator
Bañas who has been an absentee
employee since January of this year
while continuing to draw full salary and
benefits.
It is rather sad that the MARINA
and the UFS, instead of working
together as they have done in the past,
have been placed at odds because
of Mejia’s disappointing executive
decisions, especially since the UFS
has more than once proven itself to be
a supportive ally when the occasion
calls for it. Last year, for example, UFS
sought the assistance of the MARINA
and the CIDG in putting a stop to fixers
Last May 20, national broadsheet
The Philippine Daily Inquirer (PDI)
quotes Mejia engaging in some namecalling as he dismisses Ramirez as
a “paid hack”. Mejia further claims:
“Everyone knows he (Ramirez) is a paid
assassin… who has been hounding me
since my first day in office.”
While the MARINA chief is quick
to sling these allegations however,
his ‘theory’ of a financially-motivated
vendetta supposedly led by Ramirez
will be hard to substantiate.
For
decades, Ramirez has established
a firm reputation for being a union
leader who is content with a simple
lifestyle, giving no second thought
to eschewing lucrative offers in the
interest of UFS advocacy. But to give
55
UFS boys during the Maritime Industry Forum at MARINA
continued on page 57
56
MAY - JUNE 2014
TINIG NG MARINO
We are followers of TINIG NG MARINO.
Online
Our vessel is owned and operated by a Japanese company and our Manning
Agency in Manila is Magsaysay Maritime.
Sincere words from Sir Ricky Poso
Dy Victoria on P50,000 worth of
SIRB:
“A friend of mine is asking for
help thru FB.....:
.........................”
hello sir... how are you? knina
my nkausap ako instructor ng isang
training center na my estudyante
cla n kumuha seamanbook worth
50k, 2 cla kumuha so 100k un,
minadali nla un kzi sasampa cla
sa yate ni ------- so khit mahal ung
cmanbook pinatulan n nila. kzi
ayaw tanggapin ung cman sheet.
Wla pa n release seamanbook peru
pg may magbayad ng mahal may
ma iproduce n seamanbook. Cnabi
ko nato kay ------ humihingi sya sa
akin ng kopya nung cmanbook eh
onboard n ung mga tao at syempre
takot dn nman ung cman n ilabas
ung pangalan. Bket my ganun
sir?? Nagbenta p ng 3 kalabaw
ung cman at lupa pra ibayad dun
s seamanbook. Mismo ung cman
nagkwento dun sa instructor. My
magagawa po b ang ANGKLA
tungkol dito? Ngaung May lng dw
po nangyari to.
In behalf of the crew of MV NORD TRUST, we hope that you will publish our
picture which was taken at Djen-djen anchorage off Algeria.
We will be discharging wheat in bulk from Newcastle, Australia.
Best regards
Capt. Rolando V. Dulay
Pasensya kna sir ha, kzi
kawawa po ung mga seaman pg
may mga taong ganito. My pirma
dw po tlaga ni Mejia, sbi ko nga bka
stampad lng, pirma dw po tlaga ng
marina administrator..
.................
Pakiusap po sa may access
kay Cong Manalo at pati na po kay
Admin Max Mejia, na kung pede
iparating ito at itigil ang abuso.
Salamat po.
Ricky Poso Dy Victoria
NM-2188 PMMA 82
Sitting from left- Olr M.Manliclic, C/CK E.Ubanan, M/Man J. Pandarawan III,A/B F.
Ronquillo, A/B R. Lagrason, O/S R. Feliciano Jr., BSN C. Salabe,
O/S A. Tanamor, Olr R. Empedrad.
Standing from left - 3AE G. Garcia, Wpr R. Tunac, Olr J.Mapalo Jr., C/Engr. A. Layugan,
Capt. R. Dulay, C/Off. R. Negrillo, 3rd/ Off. C. Sausa, 1AE H. Grabato, 2AE R. Donesa,
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MAY - JUNE 2014
TINIG NG MARINO
Dream to be ONE of them???
57
from page 55
MARINA and UFS..
selling fake seaman credentials in the
vicinity of T.M. Kalaw. Ramirez did not
begrudge UFS manpower to assist
in gathering intelligence that led to
successful raids.
Ramirez and his cadets, outfitted
with lapel microphones and cameras,
went out to the streets. The joint
operation resulted in the apprehension
of a total of 37 peddlers and three
maritime agencies, a feat that had never
been accomplished before because
these peddlers are under the protection
of criminal syndicates.
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Ramirez has also been generous
in giving MARINA credit where credit
is due. Tinig ng Marino (TNM) have
faithfully covered MARINA’s official
events, functions and milestones to
help disseminate information among its
readership; whenever UFS laid its hands
on intelligence that could be useful
to the government maritime agency,
Ramirez made sure to pass it along in
good faith. But logic dictates that the
same diligence which made Ramirez
and UFS a worthy supporter of anything
good that happens within the MARINA
chain of command would naturally also
lead him to cry foul when warranted.
One only has to look through the TNM
archives to see that it has always been
so-- long before Mejia even came into
the picture. Some might say that the
MARINA head is entertaining illusions
of grandeur in imagining himself to
be the specific target of a so-called
smear campaign. For UFS and other
disillusioned stakeholders, the call for
his resignation is merely a desperate
bid to halt MARINA from the dire straits
he has steered it in, personal agenda
not even coming into the equation.
One would think that Meija, of all
people, should be able to understand
why Ramirez has chosen to return to
the warpath after a period of peace
when MARINA was showing promising
developments during his predecessor’s
term. After all, during the time Meija was
still a young ensign in the Philippine
Coastguard, he himself used to help
UFS organize rallies against MARINA
on many similar grievances, including
the delayed issuances of SIRBs.
Can Ramirez be blamed for
wanting more for the Philippine maritime
industry? Like many discerning industry
insiders, Ramirez is only too aware
that we cannot be too smug in our
position as the world’s biggest supplier
of seamen. Other seafaring nations,
such as Nigeria, are gearing up to oust
us as the world’s leading supplier of
maritime personnel. He points out: “Dr.
Maximo should remember the days
when he helped me in the preparation
for the rallies that I organized against
MARINA (back then). The problems are
still the same, only the administrator is
different.”
58
MAY - JUNE 2014
TINIG NG MARINO
KAMUNTIK NA
PAREHONG-PAREHO
JUAN: Nay,muntik na ko
mag top sa klase.
NANAY: Talaga anak?Bakit
naman muntik lang?
JUAN: Inannounce po
ung top sa klase.Tinuro
ni ma’am yong katabi
ko.Sayang! Kamuntik na.
TITSER: Nangopya ka na
naman sa katabi mo no?
Parehong-pareho sagot nyo!
CONDO SA FACEBOOK
DALAGA: Talaga, may-ari
ka na ng mga condo units at
negosyo? Wow,
ang yaman mo naman pala!
Saang lugar naman yan?
ANNA: Mam siguro po dahil
PAREHONG-PAREHO din
ang TANONG nyo!
TITSER: Grrr!
MATALINO TALAGA
SUITOR: Sa City Ville,
Facebook.
HINDI NAMAN MAGANDA
GURO: Ganyan talaga iha,
kapag maganda karaniwan
di matalino. Kapag matalino
kadalasan ay pangit.
TEACHER: Juan, give me a
sentence.
JUAN: My teacher is
beautiful, isn’t she?
TEACHER: Very good!
Please translate in tagalog.
JUAN: Si ma’am ay
maganda, pero hindi naman,
di ba?
MARIA: Salamat po ma’am,
ang talino nyo talaga!
ANG LOLA KONG GIRLFIEND
JUAN: Last month,ipinakilala
ko ang GF ko sa lolo kong
milyonaryo!
MUKHANG UNGGOY
KRIS: Nay, nay, tingnan nyo
po ang drawing ko oh!
PEDRO: Anong nangyari? Boto
ba ang lolo mo?
NANAY: Wow!! Ang galing
namang mag-drawing ng
MONKEY ng bunso ko!
JUAN: Oo! LOLA ko na siya
ngayon!
KRIS: Nay, kayo po yan!
SELFIE
Sa harap ng Statue of Liberty...
ITALIAN: Magnifico!
BRITISH: Brilliant!
AMERICAN: Amazing!
PINOY:Picture! Picture!
Pang-Facebook!
ABANGAN NA LANG
HOLDAPER 1: Yey!
mayaman na tayo!
HOLDAPER 2: Bilangin mo
na!
HOLDAPER 1: Alam mo
naman mahina ako sa Math.
Abangan na lang natin sa
news mamaya!
60
TINIG NG MARINO
MAY - JUNE 2014