By Alec Go
The Department of Transportation (DOTr) said the European Commission (EC) will continue to recognize Philippine-issued certificates for Filipino seafarers, particularly marine officers in European vessels.
In a statement on Saturday, April 1, DOTr Secretary Jaime Bautista welcomed the decision that may benefit 49,000 Filipino marine officers and their families in the country.
“We are deeply elated by this decision, confirming we have adequately addressed many of the findings of the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA),” he said.
“Our Maritime Industry Authority or MARINA worked relentlessly, together with other stakeholders, to address those findings in the final inspection report of EMSA of March 2021 as well as EC’s assessment report of December 2021,” he added.
Bautista said they will continue to address the remaining areas for improvement identified by the EC.
He also welcomed the EC’s technical support for the education, training, certification, and working conditions in the maritime industry.
“Rest assured we will not waver in our efforts to raise the level of expertise of our seamen to international standards,” Bautista said, as he assured President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. “with his directive to go beyond the minimum expected by international maritime authorities.” – cf
