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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Marcos to tackle issues on Pinoy seafarers with EU

Marcos to tackle issues on Pinoy seafarers with EU

Published Dec 11, 2022 09:57 am

President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. will tackle the issue of alleged deficiencies of Filipino seafarers during his trip to Brussels, Belgium, on Sunday, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said.

President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. (Malacañang Photo)

DFA-Office of ASEAN Affairs Assistant Secretary Daniel Espiritu said this after the European Union (EU), early this year, flagged the Philippines for deficiencies in local seafarer training and education.

In a press briefing, Espiritu said this was one of the issues Marcos would raise during his trip, as 50,000 Filipinos working in EU vessels risk losing jobs if the EU imposes a ban on Filipino seafarers.

"I don't have the details, but that's one of the matters that will be discussed para ma-address na natin iyan (so that we could finally address it)," he said.

Last month, Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista said the government was actively addressing the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) findings to prevent the Philippines from getting "blacklisted" by Europe-based shipping companies.

Marcos has ordered the creation of a body to ensure that the Philippines complies with EMSA evaluation and pass the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW).

Agencies tackling the country's EMSA compliance include the departments of Transportation (DOTr), Labor and Employment (DOLE), Migrant Workers (DMW), and Foreign Affairs (DFA); the Commission on Higher Education (CHED); and the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA).

According to MARINA, the Philippines has submitted a report on its "full compliance" to the European Commission's grievances on the country's implementation of the STCW Convention for Seafarers 1978.

Related Tags

Bongbong Marcos daniel espiritu DFA Belgium trip PH-EU seafarers Department of Foreign Affairs President Marcos
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