‘Wag kampante!’: Gatchalian says improvement of Pinoy seamen’s skills must continue

‘Wag kampante!’: Gatchalian says improvement of Pinoy seamen’s skills must continue
April 5, 2023 https://politics.com.ph/2023/04/05/wag-kampante-gatchalian-says-improvem...

Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian on Wednesday expressed his gratitude to the European Union (EU) for its decision to keep recognizing Philippine seafarer’s certificate, which saved the livelihood of about 50,000 Filipino seamen onboard EU-flagged vessels.

However, the politiko from Valenzuela City said the government should still ensure the improvement in the quality of the couyntry’s maritime education and training.

“I thank the European Commission for its continued recognition of Filipino seafarers’ certificates and for acknowledging the country’s efforts to improve the training of seafarers,” Gatchalian said in a statement.

“The challenge remains for the Philippines to ensure that our seafarers are globally competitive given their critical role and contribution to the economic growth of the country,” he added said.

Gatchalian had filed Senate Bill No. 822, or the proposed Magna Carta of Filipino Seafarers, to help Filipino seafarers remain globally competitive and ensure their protection while working abroad.

On March 31, Director General Henrik Hololei of the Directorate General for Mobility and Transport of the European Commission informed the Maritime Industry Authority that the Philippines has been able to comply with the requirements of the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW).

“The outcome of the analysis allows the EU to extend the recognition of the Republic of Philippines STCW system,” Hololei said in his letter.