Panama Maritime Authority concludes Ph visit “good impression” on the country’s maritime training centers

Panamanian mission ends with ‘good impression’
Raymund Antonio September 15, 2019 https://news.mb.com.ph/2019/09/15/panamanian-mission-ends-with-good-impr...

Officials of the Panama Maritime Authority concluded their five-day visit to the Philippines last week, with a “good impression” on the country’s maritime training centers.

PMA director general Captain Juan Maltez gave this initial assessment after they inspected 10 training centers as well as medical facilities that issue Panamanian medical certificates.

“Overall, they have good infrastructures, simulators, technology,” Maltez said in a media briefing held in Manila.

The PMA official, however, noted the quality system in these training centers have to be improved.

“The [training] providers I have seen just need to enforce quality system in order to become better. I have good impression for what I have seen,” Maltez, who is a former seafarer, said.

Asked about their official findings, the Panamanian maritime director declined to give details, saying they have yet to finalize their report on their technical mission to the Philippines.

Maltez was accompanied by Engineer Victor Lina, deputy director of PMA, who is in charge of the seafarers’ requirements, and his other personnel.

During their visit, they also met with Maritime Industry Authority administrator Vice Admiral Narciso Vingson Jr. and Manila Mayor Isko Moreno last week.

Maltez said the purpose of their visit to the country was to personally reaffirm cooperation with MARINA in support of the Philippine maritime industry.

The two countries have worked on their mutual efforts through the years in strengthening both their shipping industries.

Panama has the world’s largest fleet of ships registered under its flag, with Filipino seafarers making up around 42 percent of its workforce.

In recognition of the seafaring skills of Filipino sailors, Maltez had nothing but good words for them.

The Panamanian official shared he had worked with several Filipino officers and crewmen during 12 years of his seafaring career.

“Filipinos seafarers are very hard working. They are very respectful, they accomplish the tasks well,” Maltez said.