Alarm raised over possible EU ban on Pinoy seafarers

MANILA, Philippines - Senate President Franklin Drilon has called for the immediate passage of a bill that will introduce reforms to the maritime industry to prevent the blacklisting of Filipino seafarers by the European Union.

Senate Bill No. 2043 seeks to consolidate the government functions related to the country's compliance with the 1978 International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW Convention) in one agency which is the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA).

The STCW Convention sets the global minimum qualifications for masters, officers and watch personnel engaged in international shipping.

The STCW functions are currently held by various offices such as the Philippine Regulatory Commission, Commission of Higher Education, Department of Science and Technology, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, and National Telecommunication Commission.

But under the proposed measure, the MARINA will be the central agency in charge of these functions such as the training and certification of over 400,000 Filipino seafarers.

Drilon said the present practice is not consistent with the STCW Convention.

"Our seafarers face an imminent threat that, if not addressed urgently, will in all likelihood capsize our maritime industry," he said.

The EU had warned that Filipino seafarers could be banned from EU-flagged vessels due to the Philippines' unsatisfactory and incomplete observance of the STCW Convention.

Drilon said this ban would cause sizeable damage to the Philippine economy.

"We have to remember that remittances from sea-based workers - which reached $5 billion in 2012 and for this year alone, is already worth $1.2 billion - keep our economy afloat by fueling domestic consumption, preventing foreign exchange instability, and serving as a buffer against inflation of the peso," Drilon said.

The Senate chief added that the blacklisting by the EU could "terribly upset" the Philippines' image in the global maritime professional industry and negatively affect the estimated 400,000 Filipino sea-based workers employed worldwide."

"There is a need to align our maritime regulatory system with the international standards and practices," said Drilon.