Protect seafarers, DMW urges industry

Protect seafarers, DMW urges industry
Yashika F. Torib June 20, 2025 https://www.manilatimes.net/2025/06/20/news/national/protect-seafarers-d...

THE Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) on Thursday called for industry support to strengthen seafarer protection and welfare amid the perils of working at sea.

Jerome Pampolina, DMW's assistant secretary for sea-based overseas Filipino worker concerns, said in his keynote message during The Manila Times' Maritime Forum 2025 that Filipino seafarers are confronted with numerous challenges at sea, including shipboard harassment, piracy, accidents, geopolitical tensions, criminalization and abduction by armed militants.

"Seafarers connect the world, they support millions of Filipino families, and they keep our economy afloat, especially at the height of the pandemic through their remittances. They remain resilient, however, in facing all these perils," he said.

Pampolina mentioned the case of the three Filipino seafarers of Maltese-flagged container ship, MV Harris, who are still languishing in a jail in Algeria since their arrest in July 2023 for alleged drug trafficking.

The seafarers were part of the eight Filipino crew who were arrested in July 2023 when authorities discovered 35.8 kilos of cocaine onboard the ship. Five of the crew were released and repatriated, but the remaining three continue to await their final verdict. They are the ship's bosun, an ordinary seaman and chief officer.

They were sentenced to 15 years in prison, with a final trial in Algeria's Supreme Court this October.

Pampolina said the DMW, along with other concerned government agencies, continue to closely coordinate with Algerian authorities to work for the acquittal and release of seafarers. It also helped their wives visit them in Algeria.

"We are calling for support to uplift seafarer welfare and protection," he said.

This call to action was seconded by Transportation Assistant Secretary Villamor Ventura Plan, who maintained that seafarer dignity and welfare must be safeguarded.

The Manila Times' Maritime Forum 2025 was entitled "Leveraging Seafaring Locations, Leadership and Labor."

The forum explored the strengths, trends and challenges of the crewing and logistics sectors, and how these will reinforce the country's aim to become Asia's Maritime Hub.

Among the roster of speakers were Rashid Delgado, CEO of Transnational Logistics and Shipping; Ronnie Maye Saraza, acting manager-Terminal Services Division of the Philippine Ports Authority; Herbert Nalupa, head of the Maritime Industry Authority's STCW Office; Sabino Czar Manglicmot II, president of the Philippine Association of Maritime Institutions; Glenn Mark Blasquez, board member of the Philippine Association of Maritime Training Centers Inc.; and Mark Matthew Parco, president of the Philippine Liner Shipping Association.

The speakers focused on the trends and challenges facing the crewing and logistics sector. This includes maritime education and training, digitalization, decarbonization, industry regulations, shipbuilding, maritime infrastructure and crewing.