Gov’t salvages seamen’s jobs

To keep Filipino seamen crewing on European ships, the Philippines has formally informed the European Commission (EC) of corrective measures it has taken to improve maritime training in the country, Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz said on Monday.

Baldoz said Ambassador to Brussels Enrique Manalo submitted the government report to the European Commission Maritime Safety Agency (Emsa), which had noted “deficiencies” in the local maritime education, training and certification system in a visit by Emsa inspectors to the country in 2010.

“The timely submission of the report demonstrates the country’s commitment to comply with the deficiencies and ensure that the quality of education, training and competencies of our seafarers are safeguarded,” Baldoz said in a statement.

She said Manalo handed the report on Aug. 26 to Deputy Director Zoltan Kazatsay of the Directorate General for Mobility and Transport of the EC.

Baldoz said the Philippines’ Maritime Training Council gave “serious and prompt attention” to the major concerns Emsa raised in the areas of maritime education and training, quality standards, certification and on-board training requirements, need for management level courses, and improvement of training equipment and facilities, Baldoz said.

The European Union (EU) had expressed concern the deployment of Filipino seafarers on European-flagged ships “might be jeopardized if these deficiencies are left uncorrected.”

“With this, we are confident the EU will continue to recognize our system of education, training and certification and thereby ensure the employment of Filipino seafarers on board their ships,” Baldoz said.