Saying that she is the only presidential candidate with a comprehensive platform for seafarers, Vice President Leni Robredo on Monday, April 26, said that she will prioritize integrating a maritime track in Senior High School, as well as a cadetship program to give better opportunities to Filipinos seafarers.
During a multi-sectoral consultation in Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija, the Vice President also lamented how fake news and spliced videos victimized Filipino seafarers, making them believe that she belittled their skills and capacities.
In an earlier debate, Robredo was misquoted as saying that Filipinos seafarers lack the skills to be competitive in the global maritime industry.
“Ngayon po, sobrang dami natin na Filipino seamen...Pero pag tinignan natin, sa dinami-dami ng seamen, kaunti lang 'yung mga opisyal. Ang layo ng sweldo ng opisyal sa ordinaryong seamen (Now, we have so many Filipino seamen...But when we look at it, despite having many seaman, only a few of them are officers. The salary gap of an officer and ordinary seamen is big),” she explained.
“Kaya para sa akin, kailangan 'yung gobyerno tulungan niya 'yung mga seamen natin na mag-qualify mag-opisyal para mas mataas 'yung mga sweldo nila (So, for me, we need a government that will help the seamen qualify to be an officer so they will have a bigger salary),” Robredo said.
The aspiring president added that with higher salaries, seafarers can remit more to the country and improve the lives of their families.
Even if she hasn’t won as president yet, Robredo already has existing programs for seafarers at the Office of the Vice President (OVP).
READ: Robredo plans to expand seafarers' cadetship program
She shared about opening a maritime track in one public high school for its Senior High School program, so training can begin early.
The Vice President also has an existing cadetship program wherein Filipino seafarers will be equipped with the necessary “training” and “education” at par with international standards to make them qualified for officer posts.
Robredo earlier came under fire after commenting about the skills of seafarers.
But the Seafarers for Leni agreed with Robredo because the 2020 European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) audit found the Philippines to be non-compliant with the standards of maritime training and education.
The group said this could result in the non-employment of Filipino seafarers by European employers.
READ: Robredo not belittling Pinoy seafarers; she has ‘very clear plans’ for them—Trillanes
Robredo and Pangilinan barnstormed Nueva Ecija, the 11th most vote-rich province, anew on Monday, traveling to Santo Domingo, Cabanatuan, San Isidro, Cabiao, and Gapan for the “Anehan Na Naman!: Nueva Ecija Miting de Avance” at the Gapan City Plaza.
Earlier in Santo Domingo town, Nueva Ecija Rep. Ging Suansing endorsed Robredo in a gathering of the Suansings’ supporters.
During a meet and greet event with San Isidro Mayor Vina Lopez at the San Isidro Municipal Hall, Robredo reminded supporters that there are only two weeks left in the campaign season.
While she said the volunteers and supporters are her source of energy, she asked them to pour their all in the next two weeks.
“Two weeks na lang 'yung lahat pong sipag natin at pagod at sakripisyo, ibuhos na natin lahat ngayong dalawang linggo na natitira (Only two weeks left, all our diligence and exhaustion and sacrifices, let’s pour them all with only two weeks left),” Robredo said.
“Lagi ko po itong inuulit, ang kapangyarihan wala po sa aming mga politiko, ang tunay na kapangyarihan nasa kamay ng ordinaryong Pilipino (I always say this, the power is not with us politicians, true power is on the hands of ordinary Filipinos),” she added.