Panama, new maritime firm open doors for Filipino seafarers

Panama, new maritime firm open doors for Filipino seafarers
Leony Garcia - June 27, 2019 https://businessmirror.com.ph/2019/06/27/panama-new-maritime-firm-open-d...

WMOC President Rachelle Orquiza (from left), Ambassador of Panama Rolando Guevara Alvarado, Manila Mayor-elect Francisco Moreno Domagoso and Phoenix LPG Luzon Operations Head George Operario
FILIPINO seafarers are often regarded as equipped, hardworking, sociable and generally fit for work beyond Philippine shores. As overseas workers, their remittances form a significant part of the country’s gross domestic product.

Being family oriented, most of them send a huge fraction of their monthly income to their loved ones. Thus, calling them a “breed of modern heroes” is a fitting accolade for the sacrifices and unconditional love they give to family and flag.

When Worldwide Maritime Operations Company (WMOC) Documentation Services inaugurated its new office at Marc 2000 Tower in Malate Street, Manila, on June 15, it had the benefit of Filipino seafarers in mind.

VIPs and key stakeholders with key links to the services of the company attended the grand event, which celebrated its success and continuing journey toward uplifting the status of seafarers.

Ambassador Rolando Guevara Alvarado of Panama led the set of dignitaries in attendance, as he acknowledged Filipino seamen as “world-class workers” who are preferred by most global shipping employers.

Panama, a small nation of about 4 million, has the world’s largest fleet of ships registered under its flag, with Filipino seafarers making up around 60 percent of its work force.

WMOC Documentation Services President Rachelle Orquiza revealed that Guevara Alvarado was instrumental in the establishment of WMOC.

In operation since 2006, WMOC facilitates necessary documents like maritime licenses and endorsements for seafarers who join various flag states, including the Panama Maritime Authority and Marshall Islands. “We’ve been assisting job-seeking Filipino seafarers, especially fresh graduates from maritime schools, acquire their deserved slots through proper documents and quick processing. We can assure them that they can actually go off to sea without hassles [and] delays, then get paid accordingly,” said Orquiza.

Aside from Panama and Marshall Islands, WMOC’s services cover the license and endorsement papers of Liberia and Malta.

Manila Mayor-elect Francisco Moreno Domagoso also graced the event, as he expressed his excitement for the opening of the WMOC office in Manila.

The former actor-turned-local-government executive shared his mandate to encourage more investors—foreign and local—to open up more businesses in the capital city of the Philippines.

Domagoso narrated that, in his younger years, he had always wanted to be a seaman and eventually become a ship captain. Now as incoming mayor, he likens himself as the captain of the ship, and the citizens of Manila as his crew members, as he said, “We are going [tow