Welcome para kay House Committee on Overseas Workers Affairs Chair Ron Salo ang desisyon ng European Commission na patuloy na kilalanin ang Philippine Seafarer Certificates.
Ayon sa mambabatas, malaking tulong ito sa halos 50,000 Pinoy seafarers na nagtra-trabaho sa EU-flagged vessels na nangangambang mawalan ng trabaho.
Aniya, ang patuloy na pagkilala ng EU sa ating mga mandaragat ay patunay sa kakayanan ng ating seafarers.
“The decision of the European Commission is a testament to the competence and efficiency of our seafarers and the quality of training and education they have received. It also reflects the efforts of the Philippine government in ensuring compliance of the country’s maritime education and training with the standards set by the International Maritime Organization (IMO),” saad ni Salo.
Taong 2021 nang bigyan ng palugit ng EU ang Pilipinas na ayusin ang training at certification system nito para sa seafarers dahil kung hindi ay hindi na kikilalanin ang seafarer certificates na ibinibigay ng Pilipinas.
Kasama na nga rito ang kondisyon na ayusin at tumalima sa International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for seafarers (STCW).
“I thank the European Commission for recognizing the value of Philippine seafarers and for their decision to continue recognizing our seafarer certificates. This decision will certainly help alleviate the worries and fears our seafarers are currently facing,” ayon sa mambabatas.
Kasabay nito ay pinasalamatan ni Salo ang mga kasamahang mambabatas sa Kamara at Senado, gayundin ang iba’t ibang ahensya ng gobyerno para sa kagyat na pagtugon upang maisaayos ang maritime education at training system ng bansa.
“I would also like to extend my gratitude to the House of Representatives, particularly to Speaker Martin Romualdez, and the Senate for their unwavering support in improving the welfare of our overseas Filipino workers, including our seafarers. This recognition by the European Commission is a testament to our collective efforts,” dagdag ng KABAYAN party-list solon.
Umaasa naman ang kongresista na lalo pang pagbutihin ng pamahalaan ang pag-protekta sa kapakanan ng mga Pinoy seafarer at makapagbukas ng dagdag pang trabaho para sa kanila
“The decision of the European Commission is indeed a positive development for the country’s maritime industry and its seafarers. It is hoped that this recognition will lead to more opportunities for Filipino seafarers and help improve their working conditions and benefits,” pagtatapos ng mambabatas. | ulat ni Kathleen Jean Forbes
