TOKYO, Japan — Japanese shipping companies have assured President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. that they will continue to hire Filipino seafarers to man their vessels as they thanked the Philippine government for supporting initiatives to improve the skills and expertise of the country’s sea-based laborers.
Japanese Shipowners’ Association (JSA) Ikeda Junichiro said this in his meeting with Marcos on Thursday, Feb. 9, here.
In his remaks, Ikeda hoped that they would continue getting Filipino seafarers, noting of the big role that they play in the industry.
“The Filipino seafarers play a big role. So having all said, Filipino seafarers are essential to Japanese shipping industry,” he said.
“So we sincerely and strongly hope that there will continue to be a steady supply of professional and well-trained Filipino seafarers to work alongside us,” he added.
Ikeda, also the chairman of the Mitsui OSK Lines, added that they expect that the “quality standard of the Filipino seafarers to continue to improve, as the Philippine government continues to work hard to achieve this.”
The JSA sought the President’s help and assurance for the steady supply of Filipino seafarers.
For his part, President Marcos assured Japanese shipping companies that his administration will continue to work closely with them to ensure a ready pool of highly-skilled Filipino seafarers required by Japanese maritime companies.
“Clearly, you care for them very much and they are in good hands while under your employment,” he said.
Marcos recognized and expressed his appreciation for investments being made by Japanese shipowners in maritime training schools located in Canlubang, Laguna and Bataan, recording 1,200 cadets per school per year.
According to the President, the hiring of Filipino cadets by Japanese shipowners ensures the sustainability of the country’s manpower resource pipeline.
“We welcome and look forward to these training investments from the JSA,” he said, hoping other international shipping associations will emulate JSA’s example in hiring Filipino seafarers, as well as the continuing education and training given to them.
The Chief Executive pointed out that the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) has recently created an International Advisory Committee on Global Maritime Affairs, which shows how important Filipino seafarers are to both the domestic and international labor markets.
DMW Secretary Susan Ople will also be establishing a Japan Desk at the Office of the Secretary to ensure faster communication and coordination between Japanese shipowners and land-based employers with the administration.
At the same time, Marcos said the DMW, the Department of Transportation (DOTr), the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), and the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) have been receiving direct guidance from the Office of the President on how to boost the competitiveness of Filipino seafarers and improve their maritime education and skills training.
Ikeda thanked the Philippine government for supporting the “very successful” operation of Japan-backed maritime training schools and facilities in the country.
He said that Japanese shipping companies employ large numbers of “very much high-quality” Filipino seafarers.