The Philippines will advance local seafarers' interest in the International Maritime Organization (IMO) after it received an overwhelming vote to take a seat for the next term.
Philippine Permanent Representative to IMO and Ambassador to the UK Teodoro Locsin vowed during his candidature pitch that the country will keep seafarers at the center of the organization's agenda.
He made the promise as he highlighted the Philippines' tradition to seafaring by saying: "It is not about leaving some behind in any worthy field of human endeavor, but of going farther forward, as can only be done by women and men together."
"For those of us who are personally descended from seafarers, the sea will always hold the perfume promise of return and the fragrance of hope," he added.
The Philippines was re-elected in IMO under category C (category for countries which have a special interest in maritime transport or navigation) for term 2024-2025.
In an election held on Dec. 1 at IMO headquarters in London, the Philippines received 136 votes out of the possible 168 votes, receiving the fourth highest number of votes among other countries.
It is also the highest ranking that the country received at the IMO elections.
Meanwhile, in his general statement during IMO assembly, Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Jaime Bautista stressed the importance of the Philippine membership to the IMO Council.
"We believe our re-election will allow us to continue contributing to the maritime industry, not just as a top provider of top-caliber seafarers, but also at promoting safe and secure shipping operations, geared towards growth, modernization, resiliency and sustainability," he said.
Other elected countries in the IMO Council under category C are: Bahamas, Bangladesh, Chile, Cyprus, Denmark, Egypt, Finland, Indonesia, Jamaica, Kenya, Malaysia, Malta, Mexico, Morocco, Peru, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, and Türkiye.