Senators want continuous skills training for Filipino seafarers in order to increase their viability, keep them onboard ships, and maintain their status as the preferred choice of employers in the European Union (EU) region.

Senate Majority Leader Joel Villanueva said the European Commission’s continued recognition of certificates issued to Filipino seafarers is good news not only to the 50,000 at risk of losing their jobs but to the country’s maritime sector as a whole.

‘’We have been issuing a warning about the matter since we were first given notice and we thank the Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) for heeding our call and for their serious efforts in ensuring that we are compliant with the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW),’’ he said

‘’We trust that the country’s maritime authorities will continue to enhance efforts to improve our compliance with the STCW Convention,’’ he added.

Senator Grace  Poe said the continued recognition by the European Union of the certificates for Filipino seafarers is a crucial decision that will keep them onboard ships.

During this turbulent period of the global economy, we cannot afford job losses that would bring economic difficulties to millions of families, she pointed out.

‘’As Filipino seafarers remain the preferred choice in the EU region, we should embark on continuous skills training to increase the viability of our workers,’’ Poe said..

Poe emphasized that the government and private sector should step up efforts to use the period allowed by the EU to boost training and seriously heed the issues raised by the European Maritime Safety Agency.

‘’The quality of our maritime education will ensure the safety of travelers and secure the future of many Filipino seafarers' families,’’ she added.