Angkla brings services closer to seafarers in Western Visayas

Angkla brings services closer to seafarers in Western Visayas
GENIVI FACTAO October 2, 2018 https://www.manilatimes.net/angkla-brings-services-closer-to-seafarers-i...

Seafarers now have maritime centers in Iloilo City and Bacolod, as the Angkla party- list recently inaugurated the Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) buildings that will serve as training sites and will process seafarers’ certificates.

Congressman Jesulito Manalo recognized Iloilo as the number one producer of seafarers in the Philippines, and it is befitting that they be given the services they deserve.

“The number one seafaring city in the Philippines is Iloilo and these seafarers from Iloilo become the seafarers of choice worldwide. I’ve seen people from Iloilo come to Manila, and fall in line in order to get certificates. I told myself, how come the number one producer of income in a city does not have their own space? This building is meant to cater to individual seafarers’ needs,” he said during the inauguration of Marina Regional Office VI Building in Iloilo City on Thursday, September 27.

He cited the impact of seafaring industry in the city, which contributes at least P8 billion to the local economy. He said a seafarer could earn $10,000 to $15,000, multiply by around 10,000 seafarers in the city and that meant P8 billion worth of purchasing power of seafarers and their families, who buy cars and houses and eat in a restaurant.

“With the help of the government, we will prove that seafarers of Iloilo are important to the community. We will make it easy for them to renew their certificates. Iloilo is a seafarer’s capital of the Philippines and hopefully in the world,” Manalo said.

On Friday, September 28, Angkla party list inaugurated the Marina Regional Office VI Bacolod Extension Office Building, located in a land owned by the Provincial Government of Negros Occidental. The building will also be
used for research on protection of Visayan seas.

“Let’s focus on maritime resources. We challenge Marina to do research program on ship building, coastal protection and environmental protection,” he said adding that ship captain and seafarer can be utilized since they are well- trained on seas.

Manalo said, 90 percent of the world trade is run by maritime. There are 90,000 merchant marine vessels all over the world handling $18 trillion of trade. The ships carry gasoline, petroleum, construction material and garments among others.

“In the 80,000 fleet, there were 1.2 million Filipinos or 30 percent of the international seafarers were Filipinos manning the international ships. I can say that Filipinos are moving the world and a portion of that 30 percent of Filipino seafarers come from Region VI. If we encourage seafarers in Negros to become officers we will not only move the world. They can be the main contributors of the economy,” he said.

Manalo further explained that it was not only about financial gains. There were ship captains earning about $10,000-$15,000. But, it was more of who is the ship captain running a vessel worth hundreds of millions of dollar with a cargo worth $50 million.

“I always say who among us is in charge of close to $100 million worth of dollars? None, except few captains from Silay, Sagay, Kabankalan, Sipalay Cadiz and they are ship captains whom we can be proud of,” he said.

He said students here could become ship captains too. They can take the load not only for Negros but for our country.

“It’s not only a vision to make Philippines a maritime nation. It can only be achieved through the support of local government officials. Everything starts here. We can make things happen for our country,” he said.

Engr. Rizal Victoria, Regional Director of Marina Regional Office VI said the Bacolod building would be used to give examinations and training for officers. The building will serve as a Maritime Training Institute.

“All engineers of Marina and technical staff will use the building as a training center,” he said.

He thanked Negros Occidental Gov. Alfredo Maranon Jr. for allowing the building to be put in its location and thanked Angkla party list for initiating the construction of the building.

Marina Administrator Leonardo Guerrero expressed his deepest gratitude to Angkla party list Rep. Manalo for his initiative to fulfill Marina’s dream of having its own building not only in Iloilo and Bacolod, but also in Cebu and most importantly, its main building in Manila.

Angkla said the building in Cebu, Iloilo and Bacolod is worth P60 million each and the main Marina building in Manila is worth P300 million.