Organizations shake hands to strengthen welfare of Filipino seafarers

Organizations shake hands to strengthen welfare of Filipino seafarers
The Editorial Team November 18, 2025 https://safety4sea.com/organizations-shake-hands-to-strengthen-welfare-o...

he International Seafarers’ Welfare and Assistance Network (ISWAN) and the National Maritime Polytechnic (NMP) have formalized a new partnership aimed at strengthening welfare support and research efforts for Filipino seafarers.

The two organizations signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) during the ISWAN–Philippines Bayanihan Seminar held at Ramada by Wyndham Manila Central. The agreement underscores a shared commitment to enhance seafarer wellbeing, improve access to support services, and enrich maritime research in the Philippines.

Under the partnership, ISWAN and NMP will regularly exchange anonymized helpline data to deepen understanding of seafarer welfare needs. Insights derived from this data will be integrated into NMP’s Philippine Maritime Manpower Factbook, contributing to more robust research and evidence-based policy recommendations.

The collaboration also expands the promotion and visibility of ISWAN’s helpline and welfare programs. NMP will incorporate ISWAN’s resources into its communication channels, while both organizations will work together on joint training sessions, welfare education initiatives, and broader advocacy campaigns.

ISWAN reports that a growing number of seafarers are contacting its helpline for assistance with increasingly complex problems, many of which involve mental-health concerns. In the first six months of 2025, mental-health issues accounted for 15.5% of all cases handled by SeafarerHelp, rising from 7% during the same period in 2024 and 5% in the first half of 2023.

Leading the ceremonial signing were ISWAN–Philippines Country Manager Marville Cullen Espago, ISWAN Chair of the Board of Trustees René Andersen, ISWAN Trustee Michael Esplago, NMP Executive Director Victor A. del Rosario, and NMP Maritime Research and Development Division Head Elena M. Santos.