Surigao Port Community Kicks Off 23rd National Maritime Week Celebrations

The celebration of the 23rd National Maritime Week started with a bang and made more significant as the impact of the Covid19 gradually became less detrimental to the lives of the people.

This was evident in the kickoff celebration held on September 19, 2022 at the Port of Surigao as the Philippine Ports Authority – host of this year’s festivities – pulled all the stops to jumpstart the weeklong celebration, along with the Maritime Industry Authority, the Philippine Coast Guard and other partner agencies in the Surigao Port Community.

Kickoff ceremonies formally opened with the dressing up of ships docked at the Port of Surigao – who all did a simultaneous blowing of horns to signal the start of the week-long festivities. A Eucharistic Celebration was then held at the Port of Surigao Passenger Terminal Building followed shortly with a motorcade and a floral offering at the harbor waters of the Surigao Baseport.

In keeping with this year’s theme: “New Technologies for Greener Shipping,” PMO Surigao Acting Port Manager Froilan Caturla said in his remarks that the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) will push for greener and more sustainable port operations.

“The theme of this year’s celebration is appropriate and very significant for it comes at a time when the Philippine maritime industry faces a future beset with challenges, particularly in the face of climate change and other problems that beset our natural environment,” said Acting PMO Surigao Manager Froilan Caturla. (PPA-PMO Surigao/PIA- Surigao del Norte)