DOLE details 'corrective measures' on maritime training deficiences

Philippine labor officials have submitted to the European Commission's Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) a report on corrective measures taken to address the deficiencies noted in 2010 when the EMSA reviewed the country’s maritime education, training and certification system. “It was coursed through the Department of Foreign Affairs. (Philippine ambassador to Brussels) Enrique Manalo submitted it on August 26 to Deputy Director Zoltan Kazatsay of the Directorate-General for Mobility and Transport (DG-MOVE) of the European Commission, on behalf of the Philippine Government," Baldoz said in a statement. She said the timely submission of the report demonstrates the country’s commitment to ensure the education and training and competencies of Filipino seafarers are safeguarded. Data from the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration showed the Philippines in 2010 deployed 347,150 seafarers to 1,112 accredited principals. Of these, 81,761 were officers, 124,765 were ratings, and 133,082 were non-marine seafarers. In 2009, 24 percent of the total seafarer deployment was listed under EU member-state’s flag of registry. Baldoz said that in addressing the deficiencies, the Maritime Training Council gave serious and prompt attention to the major issues raised in the EMSA report, such as those relating to:

• maritime administration, especially with regards the monitoring of maritime education and training institutions:
• quality standards system;
• requirements for seafarers certification;
• requirements for on-board training;
• implementation of the Management Level Courses; and
• improvement of the maritime training institution’s equipment and facilities.

“With these, we are confident that 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. — ELR, GMA News