By Dean Aubrey Caratiquet

As the Philippine maritime industry navigates treacherous global waters laced with the omnipresent threat of geopolitical conflicts, the government continues to express its support for the men and women who brave the high seas.

It was in this vein that President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. graced the Philippine Maritime Convention (PhilMarCon) 2026 on Wednesday, which brought together industry leaders, labor, academe, and international maritime organizations to advance policies prioritizing the welfare of maritime workers.

In the kick-off for the two-day event, he honored the sacrifices of Filipino seafarers who continue to fulfill their duties amid the various risks associated with manning vessels that transport cargo and people between destinations separated by oceans.

“Wherever there is a ship that needs a skilled hand, a steady mind, and a strong sense of responsibility, more often than not, there is a Filipino on board. Our seafarers remain in the band because of their competence, adaptability, and their character.”

The President, moreover, shared that the Philippines accounts for nearly 1 in every 5 deployed seafarers worldwide, making the Southeast Asian nation the top supplier of seafarers in the world.

He even reminisced about the passage of Republic Act No. 12021 two years ago, noting how PhilMarCon 2026 coincided with the 2nd anniversary of the enactment of Magna Carta of Filipino Seafarers into law.

Sailing towards a better nautical future

Meanwhile, President Marcos Jr. underscored the importance of keeping up with the times as the maritime sector undergoes a period of significant change and challenges.

He took a brief moment to express his oneness with the kin of Filipino seafarers who sustained injuries or lost their lives while carrying out their duties in open water.

Acknowledging the challenges brought by armed conflict, security incidents, and the advent of rapid digitalization, the President shared some reforms being undertaken by the government to sustain this agenda.

“We continue to strengthen the implementation of the standards of training, certification and watchkeeping for seafarers convention and code—keeping our maritime education, training, assessment, and certification systems aligned with evolving international standards so that Filipino seafarers remain globally competent and globally competitive.”

Among other measures with Filipino seafarers and their families in mind are the following:

• 2026 DMW Sea-based Rules
• Updated Standard Employment Contracts for Overseas Filipino Seafarers
• Dedicated seafarers’ welfare center
• Heightened safeguards for seafarers
• Heightened capacity for emergency repatriation
• Full-cycle National Reintegration Program for repatriated seafarers
• Improved certification and licensing processes for manning firms
• Regulatory relief for domestic shipping firms

The Chief Executive concluded by acknowledging the important role of every participant at PhilMarCon 2026 in ensuring that Filipino seafarers can look forward to sailing towards a better future for themselves and their families at home.

jpv