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AIMS, Soname ink pact
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5 PMMAAAI new website
Sailing ship visits Manila
Empowering Maritime Entrepreneurs Php35.00
September–October 2009
Vol. 2 No. 6
Filscapts president Capt. Victor del Prado receive the group’s first donation from AMOSUP president Capt. Gregorio S. Oca.
New group aims to position RP as world’s top maritime nation
Skippers form Filscapts N
o less than Capt. Gregorio S. Oca, president of the Associated Marine and Seamen’s Union of the Philippines, Inc. (AMOSUP), inducted the first set of officers of the Society of Filipino Ship Captains, Inc. (Filscapts) at the Manila Yacht Club in Roxas Boulevard, Manila last September 24, 2009. The captain then issued a check worth Php50,000 as donation for Filscapts fund—the first to be received by the new group.
Filscapts is a group of seasoned Filipino master mariners and captains, both active and now manning executives, who share the strong desire to help develop the Philippine maritime industry. It also aims to position the country as the number one maritime nation in Asia, if not the world. Among the pioneering officers of Filscapts are Capt. Victor Del Prado, president; Capt. Jaime D. Quiñones, VP–internal; Capt. Hernando Eusebio, VP–external; Capt. Walfredo Rivas, secretary; and Capt. Roberto Nieto, treasurer. The board of directors consist of Captains Nick Altares, Constantino Arcellana, Jr., Dever Besana, Severro Cuison, Jr.,
Fidel Dinoso, Del Prado, Eusebio, Donato Marfil, Nieto, Antonio Palenzuela, Quinones, Rodolfo Paz, Rivas, Juanito Salvatierra and Danilo Venida. New members were inducted by Capt. Del Prado. Filscapts intends to encourage and promote high standards of qualification, competence, and knowledge among Filipino Ship Captains (Master Mariners) to ensure shipboard Safe Operational Practices, Preservation from Human Injury, Protection of the Environment and Safety of Life and Property at Sea. Filscapts also plans to cooperate with government agencies, other groups and
associations, and educational institutions in furthering the development of nautical science education and professional practice. The group also plans to encourage maritime research and publication of its results. Another objective of the group is to unite the Filipino ship captains into a cohesive group establishing and maintaining appropriate educational and professional standard of membership. It also intends to foster camaraderie and harmonious relationship among all Filipino ship captains promoting high ideals of professional ethics, integrity, prestige
By zenaida p. magnial and dedication to the merchant marine service. It will actively participate and provide maritime-related technical expert advices or consultancy works or assistance to government and private agencies, bodies or associations in pursuit towards development, and improvements of safety of ships, lives, properties and environment in the local and international shipping industry. Lastly, it aims to promote, encourage and develop continuing socio-economic programs for the welfare of its members, as well as their families, and further serve as vehicle through which government and private assistance, grants, support can be beneficially extended to its members and their families. Filscapts was incorporated under the Securities and Exchange Commission on 19 June 2009.
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Harborscope presents award
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arborscope’s executive director, Zenaida P. Magnial, was recently invited by Frost & Sullivan as one of its’ presentors. The annual event, held at the Grand Ballroom of the Intercontinental Hotel in Singapore last July 23, 2009, recognizes Asia Pacific’s top transportation and logistic companies. Media partners for the awards include Harborscope, Logistics Insight Asia, Business Today, and Logistics Digest.
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MATECHECK Abojeb introduces 2009 batch of Marine Engineering scholars J
ebsens Maritime, Inc. (JMI), the crewing arm of Aboitiz Jebsen (Abojeb), together with the Aboitiz Foundation, Inc. announced on July 20 their 2009 line-up of Marine Engineering (MarE) scholars. The awarding of eight new scholars and the contract signing with the benefactors and the scholars‘ parents were held at the University of Cebu Lapu-Lapu Mandaue Campus (UC-LM).
The scholars are Cristoval Abello, Alven Booc, Zoren Ehimplar, Luie Fuentes, Mark Lister Gonzales, Chuck Mandal, Jude Rhey Piol, and Dariel Sancados JMI VP for Crewing Arleen V. Asuncion, JMI and Harbor Training Center AVP for Training Capt. Alfredo V. Vidal Jr., and Aboitiz Foundation EVP and Managing Trustee Sonny Carpio were present. The scholars were among those with high academic standing and belonged to the top 20% of their high school batch. They showed good potential to excel but were financially constrained to enter college. The Abojeb JMI-Aboitiz Foundation scholarship program was established in 2006, with the first batch of scholars composed of 10 MarE students from the UCMaritime Education and Training Center, and eight from Davao Merchant Marine Academy of Southern Philippines. They
graduated last April and are currently onboard Aboitiz Transport System vessels for the primary phase of their shipboard training. They eventually will be transferred to overseas vessels manned by Abojeb to complete their training requirements. “We are confident that our second batch of scholars will be as successful as the first batch in the pursuit of their dreams to become future marine engineers of the Abojeb fleet. Abojeb and the Aboitiz Foundation will always be there to support them,” said Captain Vidal. The new scholars are presently enrolled at the UC-LM, recognized as one of the country’s top maritime institutions. Under the program, Abojeb-JMI, in partnership with the Aboitiz Foundation, will take care of the beneficiaries’ tuition fees, medical needs, training costs and other academic needs.
Capt Martinez aims to share expertise
Marine Engineering scholars with parents and benefactors.
“The support that Abojeb and the Aboitiz Foundation to the scholars is of great value to UC-LM, and to UC as a whole. If the students will continue to study and work hard, they will have a brighter future after college, and inspire more prospective enrollees to take up MarE,” said UC LMNorwegian Shipowners Association (NSA) Coordinator Judith Almonte. The Abojeb-Aboitiz Foundation scholarship support Aboitiz Group’s vision to help the youth have access to better education and employment opportunities.
Aboitiz Jebsen is a 26-year-old joint venture between the Aboitiz Group of the Philippines and the Jebsens Group of Norway. The venture is an international provider of crewing, ship management and total transport solutions and services. Its crewing arm Jebsens Maritime, Inc. (JMI) has a pool of close to 8,000 highly qualified seafarers and supplies crew to nearly 400 vessels of varied types. JMI has consistently received recognition from the Philippine Overseas Employment Agency (POEA).
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Senate president urges congress to pass seafarers’ welfare, protection
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hilippine Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile recently urged Congress to pass measures that will promote the welfare and provide protection to Filipino seafarers, whom the world hails as among the very best in the world.
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apt. Jess Martinez of newly-organized Society of Filipino Ship Captains, Inc., said he is willing to share his expertise to related government agencies like the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), and likewise to their colleagues in the domestic shipping. By Zenaida P. Magnial
“My training center is always open to those who are willing to learn the competency required especially on the inspection and stability of vessels and what to do technically when caught in that situation. I can practically design a course for that at a very minimal fee,” he said. According to him, while his training center has the lowest safety training fee in the market, he can even give a special rate for that purpose. “This is not about doing business, but rather to contribute to the safety and wellbeing of our Captains in the domestic shipping. This is more than just transfer of knowledge. This is more on giving good image for our inter-island trade, and our country in general,” he assured. Capt. Martinez, who was also present during the recent maritime forum with 2
September – October 2009
the PCG recently, have long realized the importance of sharing the expertise of seasoned international master mariners to their domestic counterparts in pursuit of their profession. “I have been in consistent talks with the PCG and if they will be willing, of course, I am more than willing. But then again, the problem would be budget,” said Martinez, who is also a director of the Masters and Mates Association of the Philippines, Inc. Nonetheless, the good captain is calling on both the government and domestic shipping agencies to realize the need to train or refresh the competency of these professionals, which is mandated in the Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping, and International Safety Management codes.
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www.harborscope.com
During a speaking engagement before the graduates of the Maritime Academy of Asia and the Pacific (MAAP) at Kamaya Point, Alas-asin, Mariveles, Bataan, the senator stressed the need for pro-seafarer initiatives. He also called on the government to also promote and revitalize the domestic shipping industry so that local Filipino seafarers will also “have equally rewarding employment opportunities within our very shores.” Enrile said “a seafarer’s life is not a picnic or a walk in the park. It has been said, time and again, that a seafarer has one foot in the ship and the other foot in the grave because of the dangers and risks that they face every day in their workplace.” “The risks to their health and security are numerously plenty and cannot be adequately compensated by the income that they earn. I am saddened by the plight of seafarers who are working in hazardous conditions and are being exploited by their employers, and duped by their recruiters.” Meanwhile, the senator commended the foreign shipowners’ substantial contribution to the trainings of Filipino seafarers through the MAAP. He said the assistance coming from these principals supports the value and competence of our seafarers.
“It also affirms their faith in the Filipino seafarers’ dedication, work ethic, and capability to man their ships and handle all tasks that will be assigned to them.” He also commended the officers and members of the Associated Marine Officers and Seaman's Union of the Philippines (AMOSUP), led by Capt. Gregorio Oca, and the MAAP leadership, headed by Vice Admiral Eduardo Ma. R. Santos, AFP (RET), for making the academy a Cradle of Destiny for these young men and women. “Today’s occasion serves as an affirmation of MAAP's commitment and ability to meet such growing demand for Filipino seafarers. Indeed, this Academy promotes no less than excellence in maritime education and training, and is committed to the continuing employment of highly competent deck officers and marine engineers who shall represent the best in seafaring all over the world,” Enrile declared. “We commend their matchless courage to confront all the hazards and risks at their place of work and their determination to deliver the best results in all the tasks that are assigned to them. Most importantly, we would like to thank our seafarers for their contribution to the economy through their regular remittances,” the senator concluded.
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MATECHECK AIMS inks joint venture with SONAME
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he Asian Institute of Maritime Studies (AIMS) recently signed a joint-venture pact with the Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers (Soname) at the College of Business Building boardroom, AIMS Business Center, Pasay City. By Jun G. Garcia According to Dr. Felicito P. Dalaquete, AIMS Vice President for Academic Affairs, the primary objective of the agreement is to fine tune the maritime school’s academic program relevant to the industry requirements. Under the agreement, AIMS will offer the Bachelor’s Degree for Naval Architects and Marine Engineering or BS-NAME. Soname will provide the necessary support for AIMS. According to Engr. Sammuel Lim, Soname President, the presence of Hanjin and Tsuneishi Shipyards in the Philippines makes the country the fourth largest shipbuilding nation in the world. Hence, both Engr. Lim and Dr. Dalaguete saw the need to professionalize and institutionalize the ship design, ship building and repair sectors in the country. Both leaders also confirmed the demand for naval architects. “We have three big shipyards in the country and yet, we don’t have enough naval architects,” said Dalaguete. “Naval Architects are so minimal. As per records of the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC), there are only 500 plus registered Naval Architects. We want to sustain the profession by collaborating with schools like AIMS who have the
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knowledge and skills to offer the course,” said Engr. Lim. Specialized software such as the Maxsurf ™ and ShipConstructor™ software will be introduced to the students. The two computer programs are being used and taught to students all over the world. Soname will provide the necessary expertise for the students, faculty and professionals. Lim revealed that during his time, changes in plans or designs were costly and time-consuming. Now, with the aid of computers and software, naval architecture is made easy and fun. Lim also revealed that since 1989, the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) has not made any revision in the Naval Architecture curriculum. Soname also vowed to support AIMS through its networks. They will help provide good and quality instructors. They will also offer short courses in the near future as part of its Continuing Professional Education. Lim also vowed that the naval architects will soon have a representation in the PRC. As of this writing, Lim said there is now a proposal for NAME board examiners. Schedule of board exam for NAME is on October 6-8, 2009. Annual membership meeting would be on October 16.
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September – October 2009
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MATECHECK Manila Ocean Park promotes Marine Life education
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The project is in connection with the 10th International Youth Day Celebration and Youth and Educators Summit for the Millennium Development Goals (YES 4 MDGs!) held August 5-7, 2009 at the University of Makati Little Theater through the sponsorship of the City of Makati through the leadership of Mayor Jejomar C Binay. With the theme, “Sustainability: Our Challenge, Our Future: Countdown to 2015,” the conference gathered 300 international and local youth delegates from Asia Pacific Region and different parts of Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. Participants include SK Federation Presidents, Student Council Presidents and community youth leaders. International speakers from UNDP, UNESCO, UNV, UNFPA and other local experts such as PAEPI Na-
tional President and Maritime Academy of Asia and the Pacific researcher Angelica Baylon, were also invited. The event culminated with the awarding of UN Outstanding Youth Leaders at the Malacañang Palace with Her Excellency Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo as guest of honor. Partners with WWF Meanwhile, Manila Ocean Park recently forged partnership with the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) – a global conservation organization. Its main objectives are to raise consciousness on three main issues namely, (1) the richness of Philippine marine biodiversity, (2) the interdependence of habitats and ecosystems in conservation, and (3) the major threats to destruction of ecosystems and species.
photo by Jek Bacarisas (http://www.facebook.com/jekert) http://www.flickr.com/photos/jekert/3892372886/
he Manila Ocean Park, the first state-of-the-art indoor oceanarium in the Philippines, in coordination with the United Nations Association of the Philippines (UNAP) through its youth arm, the United Nations Youth Association of the Philippines (UNYAP), recently sponsored a series of competitions aimed at enhancing awareness on Philippine marine biodiversity protection among youth leaders of today.
Manila Ocean Park works closely with WWF especially in collaboration on educational exhibits to showcase these important aspects of conservation. The partnership will carry out joint science research on the resilience of coral reefs to the threats of climate change, as well as conduct empirical studies in captive breeding of threatened and endangered species with
the objective of releasing offspring into the wild. The collaboration’s educational and scientific value will benefit the Philippine public and its precious marine resources – for the greater good of the nation. Manila Ocean Park is dedicated to promote awareness on the Philippine marine environment and the myriad of issues assailing it.
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Manila to host 10th anniversary Asia Pacific Manning and Training Conference
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ANILA – The Philippines, the world’s manning capital, will be hosting the 10th Anniversary Asia-Pacific Manning and Training Conference. Considered the largest and most important manning conference in the world, the event will be held at the Hotel Sofitel Philippine Plaza, Manila on November 4 to 5. Participants can register on-line at www. manningandtraining.com or call +44(0)20 7017 5511 or fax +44 (0)20 7017 4745. Organized by the UK-based conference specialist, Lloyd’s List events, the conference will carry the theme “Seeking Solutions in Partnership: An Industry Commitment to the Future of Manning and Training”. “The shipping industry’s no. 1 manpower event offers a dynamic programme that looks ahead to solutions and strategies to prepare crews for the ships of the future rather than re-packaging analyses of the current downturn,” Conference Producer Kathryn Barnard pointed out. The conference will be chaired by John Adams, managing director of Teekay
Marine Services, who will preside over presentations and panel discussions covering a broad range of topics. Topics include: “A retrospective of the Philippine manning industry as it prepares for the next wave of opportunities;” “Manpower supply: a strategic outlook;” “Recruitment and retention strategies;” “Review of industry regulations;” and “Pioneering recruitment and retention initiatives.” Remarking on last year’s event, L. Marquard of HeavyLift Manila, Inc. described it as “an international, well organized event in the heart of the industry, the
Philippines”. The remark was echoed by M. Burley of V Ships who described the conference as “thought provoking and valuable content for change”. To meet the specialized needs of various participants, delegates will for the first time be given the choice of attending one of two topic streams on the second conference day. The first stream will tackle: “Effective Training: How to Ensure Competence Onboard”. The second stream will discuss: “Safe Manning: How to Ensure Sufficient and Efficient Manning”. The event will also feature two workshops. A pre-conference IFSMA (International Federation of Shipmasters’
Associations) workshop entitled “Does Fatigue and Criminalization have an Effect on Recruitment?” will be held on November 3 at the same venue. A postconference workshop entitled “Assessment of Crew Competence” will be held on November 6. To celebrate the 10th anniversary of the conference, a gala dinner featuring a three course meal, pre-dinner drinks and local entertainment will be held at the grounds of the Sofitel Philippine Plaza on the evening of November 4. “This will be an excellent way to network in relaxed surroundings and reflect on the days proceedings,” Kathryn Barnard said.
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PTC – FCSD: A second home where you are always first!
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he Family and Crew Services Department (FCSD) of Philippine Transmarine Carrier (PTC) continues to soar high in promoting wholesome programs and activities beneficial to seafarers’ families and crews. With its most recent motivational activity dubbed as Sincere, Motivated, Advocate and Responsible Team player of PTC (SMART), FCSD aims to help and motivate each member to participate and become a part of every objective they need to take. Last July 25, FCSD conducted an activity under its SMART program focusing on health and wellness and effective financial
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planning with Ms. Myra Rose H. Menor as resource person. Menor taught the participants the basics of organic juice business as well as how to prepare organic juices and fruit jams. During the program also, Ms. Normie Hernandez, FCSD head addressed frequently asked questions on allotments, SSS and Philhealth concerns to those who www.harborscope.com
where still not equipped with knowledge about their benefits. On the other hand, PTC-FCSD recently partnered with SMART Link 2009 in their program entitled LOVE KO SI MISIS Super Mom Caravan. The whole program covers issues relevant for the wives of seafarers, such as financial matters, connecting to partners ashore, livelihood programs such as the SMART Livelihood program, SMART Eload, Nestle Negosyo Package, Meat processing, How to prevent Cervical Cancer, Beauty Talk and Anti Aging Tips, Make Over by EVER Bilena.
Speakers were Mr. Leo Quinitio of the Philippine Stock Exchange, Mr. Jake Robillo of Global Access SMART Link, Ms. Chichi Robles, SMART Livelihood Program, Ms. Rose De Castro from the Corporate Business Development of Nestle Phils., Ms. Racquel Leongson of Royal Link Livelihood Center (Meat Processing), Ma. Socorro C. Bernardino, MD Manila Doctors Hospital with a talk on Cervical Cancer, Mr. Paul Daniel Hipolito Beauty Talk and Anti Aging Tips by NU Skin, Ms. Analiza Abainza, Marketing Supervisor & Chief Make Up Artist Ever Bilena.
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PMMAAAI introduces new official website
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he Philippine Merchant Marine Academy Alumni Association Inc. (PMMAAAI) proudly announces the launch of its new official website www.pmmaaai.ph. The formal introduction of the website commenced recently at the PMMA Alumni Fellowship Night in Global City, Fort Bonifacio featuring the PMMAAAI 40th Founding Anniversary celebration. According to Captain Reynold “Burt” Sabay, the alumni’s vice president for Internal Affairs and chair for information and publication committee, the said website will serve as an effective vehicle to connect with other alumni for a strong, cohesive and united PMMAAAI. Everyone is invited to visit and use the new medium. He, however, advises everyone not to over-use, abuse or misuse the new channel of their communications. With these developments, the board of directors for the year 2009-2010 under the leadership of Capt. Jaime D. Quiñones, are determined to see the realization of their vision and programs for all the alumni. Comment addressed Ms. Mary Joyce Ann R. Sales, PMMA Class 1999 aired her comment over the article of this writer which appeared in the website dubbed “PMMA Alumni to build its own home.” The story was first published in the February – March 2009 edition of Harborscope. In the article, Mr. Ramoncito “Chito” Mendoza, was not properly introduced. He is a member of PMMA Class 1985 NM-3076. Mr. Mendoza, a former board member of the alumni, along with Capt.
By Jun G. Garcia Hernando Eusebio and Capt. Quiñones, exerted balanced effort in convincing Marlow Navigation Management to temporarily house the PMMAAAI in one of its vacant offices. Accordingly, Mr. Mendoza was rightfully commended and appreciated for his contribution for the PMMAAAI courtesy of Capt. Quiñones during the simple blessing ceremony of the alumni office. Another error that the president would like to correct is that the Association is only 40 years in existence to be exact and not 42. For 40 years, the alumni members had yearned for an established home for everyone. Again, the PMMA Alumni Center is envisioned to be the Association’s solid monument that demonstrates the PMMAAAI’s Professionalism, Unity, and Brotherhood! Hence, Capt. Quiñones and Capt. Sabay, along with other directors and officers, are determined to complete what they have started in order to promote lasting friendship, cooperation, and solidarity among all members of the association, and leave a better legacy behind.
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CEBU CITY 305B WDC Bldg. Osmeña Blvd. cor. Burgos St. Tel No. (032) 255-5740
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Seamanship International Training Academy, Inc.
Room 513 BF Condominium Bldg., Andres Soriano Ave., cor. Solana St., Intramuros Manila Tel. Nos.: 525-1600 | 528-0546 | 710-7842 • Fax No.: 525-1600 loc. 109 • Medical Care (MECA • Medical First Aid (MEFA) • Prevention of Alcohol & Drug Abuse in Maritime Sector (PADAMS) • Maritime Pollution Annex I (MP I) • Maritime Pollution Annex II (MP II) • Marine Pollution Annex VI (MP VI) • Dangerous, Hazardous & Harmful Cargoes (HAZMAT) • HAZMAT w/ CFR • Messmanship / Steward (MSM) • Shipboard Culinary • Housekeeping • Maritime Law for Ship’s Officer (MARLAW)
• • • • • • • • • •
Maritime English Crude Oil Washing / Inert Gas System (COW/IGS) Human Resource Applied to Ship Management Risk Assessment International Safety Management (ISM) Ship Security Officer (SSO) Ship Security Awareness (SSA) Crowd & Crisis Management Customer Service / Front Office Service Shipboard Familiarization (O.J.T.) onboard InterIsland vessel • Apprenticeship for BSMT / BSMAR-E onboard Inter-Island vessel
Reasons to enroll at SITA Competent Instructors • Conducive learning facilities • Expedite release of Training Certificate • Never compromised quality of learning to price
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World-class education made accessible
F (ABOVE) Officials of the Asian Institute of Maritime Studies (AIMS) and the Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers (Soname) sign a joint-venture pact to offer a Bachelor's Degree in Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering (BS NAME). (LEFT) AIMS VP for Academic Affairs Dr. Felicito P. Dalaquete and Soname President Engr. Sammuel Lim sign the pact.
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ounded by Juan Miguel R. Bondoc and Jose Mariano R. Bondoc in October 2007, the Seamanship International Training Academy Inc. (SITA) aims to become one of the Philippines' leading maritime training centers by focusing in providing world-class continuing education programs for maritime professionals and companies that operate in a global environment.
Offering around 30 different courses and documentation services for seafarers customized to address the specific needs of its clients, SITA boasts of conducive learning facilities and competent instructors and guarantees speedy release of certificates. www.harborscope.com
By positioning itself as training center built for global coverage of training and competence management services in the maritime industry, SITA strikes the balance between quality education and competitive price. By Heselle B. Garchitorena
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fleetstreet HK hosts China Maritime 2010 H
Hong Kong’s Victoria Harbor at night.
ong Kong – Asia’s number one in cargo and container hub, and one of the world’s leading maritime centers, will again play host to the third part of the China Maritime 2010 on March 16-18 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Center.
quality visitors from some 40 nations are expected to put a show next year. China Maritime 2010’s Asian Shipping Summit will navigate aspects of the shaken industry from funding and financial issues; to the recycling of excess vessels; to the push towards ever-more environmentally sustainable options for fuelling and shaping ships. For more information on China Maritime 2010, contact Kishore Navani of Baird Events, PH: +61 3 9645 0411, FX: +61 3 9645 0475, or email: marinfo@baird.com. au, Web: www.bairdmaritime.com.
http://www.sxc.hu/photo/861918
Next year’s event promises to be bigger and better with innovative conferences and seminars full of invaluable information for all stakeholders of the industry. The event will allow visitors and exhibitors to either form new alliances or renew old acquaintances. China maritime will cover the current state of the market and its uncertainties to both the shipping and work boat sectors. The global financial crisis may have reverberated around the world bringing abrupt end to shipping boom, but more opportunities are still available as over 3,000 top
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ARC Gloria shows relevance of wind
UFS Seeks Scrutiny of MARINA–Cebu for Registering Vessels Carrying Firearms
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he United Filipino Seafarers (UFS) is pushing for a more extensive investigation on how one cargo vessel and a pleasure yacht, which was recently apprehended and discovered by elements of the Bureau of Customs and the Philippine Coast Guard to be illegally carrying large caches of high-caliber weapons, got registered with the Maritime Industry Authority Cebu Regional Office (MARINA–Cebu) under fictitious owners.
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here was no fanfare when the 1,300-ton Colombian training ship ARC Gloria visited Manila one August weekend. Visitors were also thwarted by sporadic heavy rains. But for those who braved downpours and gusts to see the 41-year-old ship from July 30 to August 2 at the Manila South Harbor’s Pier 13, it was worth it. By Capt. Leo Mirande The Gloria’s elegant interior and exterior were not only sights to behold. Its hybrid power source – sails and a 1,300hp diesel engine, in combination with high-tech navigational instruments set on a steel hull marvelously balanced modernity and sophistication with tradition and respect for the environment. The language barrier was more than compensated for by the salutes and welcome gestures shown by the 142-strong Spanish crew to curious visitors who stepped on board and snaked inside the labyrinthine, cramped and dark spaces of the 76-meter-long brig in a reenactment of sort of shipboard life in the Age of Exploration. The plaques, medals and other displays gathered from 70 countries the ship had visited silently tells the ship’s storied past and enduring voyages spanning 700,000 miles or 30 circumnavigations to date. And for every port docked, the Gloria’s sailing ambassadors shared the beautiful cultural side of the South American country that was once notorious for its violent cocaine cartels. 6
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While modern machines and instruments reign supreme in honing the naval skills of 72 cadets, the Gloria’s four masts are the true workhorses when it comes to propelling the ship. In fact, the Gloria is faster when sails are raised speeding at 13 knots. The diesel engine can only manage 10 knots maximum. By harnessing the power of the oceanic trade winds that once brought Columbus to the New World and opened the westward route to Asia for Magellan, the ARC Gloria is demonstrating the relevance of wind power to today’s international shipping. Perhaps, it may not even by farfetched for today’s merchant fleet to return to the sail mode not only to save on fuel but also to lessen the industry’s carbon footprints. Can you just imagine how cleaner the air above shipping lanes and harbors would be if container ships and tankers are all ARC Gloria-like? Well, the Gloria has done it and is still doing it. It would be a good start that there is a model to follow.
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Last Friday, August 21, 2009 MV Captain UFUK and its Turkish crew were apprehended by the combined teams of the Bureau of Customs, Philippine Coast Guard and Philippine National Police – Bataan while anchored off Mariveles when they discovered some 14 caches of high-caliber weapons in its cargo holds. One of the weapons caches onboard MV Captain UFUK was already emptied at the time of the arrest and witnesses in the area cited seeing a yacht berthing beside the vessel before authorities came swooping down hours later. Yesterday morning, August 27, 2009, a team from the PCG Southern Tagalog District, after getting a tip from a local informer, found the subject yacht anchored off Puerto Galera in Oriental Mindoro. The Coast Guard team, under the directive from Commo. Cecil Chen has boarded the yacht and subsequently investigated all its crew including a Briton, which was reportedly the original captain of MV Captain UFUK, which brought the vessel from Turkey to Mariveles, Bataan. It was later discovered that MV Captain UFUK and the yacht were actually registered as Philippine flag vessels with the MARINA–Cebu office under no known local ship owners. This has caught the attention of the UFS and its president Nelson P. Ramirez. “How can the MARINA–Cebu regional office register those vessels under fictitious ship owners? Part of the vessel registration requirement is that the local shipowner should be known and they have documents and track records to show for it in the local maritime industry? Something must have been committed why such a nefarious thing happened,” Ramirez exclaimed.
“This scenario only validates our earlier suspicion that MARINA–Cebu is really doing something extraordinary, and surprisingly still draws the support of MARINA Administrator Ma. Elena Bautista,” the UFS president pointed out. “In 2007, there were 55 foreign vessel importations made by local shipowners in the Philippines. Of this number, 43 were registered with MARINA–Cebu notwithstanding that some of those vessels importers were not even based in Cebu or have their operations outside of the Visayas. We have also information that most of those vessel importations were underdeclared, causing substantial revenue losses to the Bureau of Customs and the government,” Ramirez cited. “If I remember it correctly, it was also MARINA–Cebu which approved the alteration of the MV Princess of the Stars from merely being a 19,000-GRT vessel when it arrived in the Philippines to becoming a 23,000-GRT top-heavy passenger ship. We all know what happened to MV Princess of the Stars after getting battered by the wrath of typhoon ‘Frank’ in June of last year. The common denominator in these seeming high-profile mysteries is MARINA–Cebu so an investigation on the manner how it approves vessel registration or alteration should really be closely looked into by proper authorities,” Ramirez stressed. “Government authorities should consider looking deeper into the issue because the UFS is dead-sure that MARINA–Cebu really has the answers that they’re looking for to unravel the truths behind these seeming vessel mysteries in local waters,” Ramirez said.
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FLEET STREET
Did YOU know that?
fleetstreet
Ascorbic acid was coined by Hungarians Joseph L Svirbely and Albert Szent-Györgyi in 1933. Scientists called it “ascorbic” due to its anti-scorbutic action. Anti-scorbutic was a term used in the 18 th and 19 th centuries for food that prevent scurvy. From then on, sailors took ascorbic acid, or vitamin C, against scurvy.
Physicians Diagnostic Services Center
A Trusted Partner in Seafarers’ Health C
onsistent with the principals’ and crewing agencies’ commitment to ensure the health and well-being of its crew members, the conditions of seafarers are ascertained not only during their tenure onboard, but also before they report for work. The clinic is among the country’s pioneer in health screening, with international recognition and accreditation from 28 countries and institutions. It has the proven track records and expertise to offer quality health screening and care. For the last thirty (30) years, the clinic has been officially endorsed and contracted for the health screening of Filipinos overseas workers bound for the Asia-Pacific Region (Hong Kong, Singapore, Taiwan, Japan, Malaysia, Korea and Papua New Guinea) and the Middle East (Bahrain, Dubai, Libya, Lebanon, Qatar, GCC and specially Saudi Arabia.) PDSC has also been accredited for the health screening of recruited Filipino seafarers by such institutions as the Norwegian Maritime Directorate, the Department of Transport and Communication of the United Kingdom, Maritime Coastguard Agency (UK), Japan Seaman’s Medical Affairs Corp. and the Embassy of Argentina, as well as by other European countries like the Netherlands, Luxembourg, Denmark and Sweden. The clinic is also recognized by the German, Panamanian and Liberian flag vessels. PDSC is located at the nine-storey Physicians Tower along United Nations Avenue
http://www.sxc.hu/photo/1152188
In the Philippines, one of the leading medical clinics has been a consistent and reliable health partner among many international shipping firms. This is proof that the welfare of our seafarers can only be entrusted to those who can provide excellent quality of service. Physicians Diagnostic Services Center (PDSC), Inc. is a diagnostic clinic engaged in the health screening of workers for overseas deployment. It is one of the few clinics recognized and accredited by the Accreditation Committees of the Philippine Department of Health (DOH) and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE). Established in 1978, the clinic offers a complete line of modern medical screening facilities and is manned by experienced staff headed by a Fellow and Diplomate in Occupational and Industrial Medicine. It is officially retained by the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) to screen the health of government-hired applicants for overseas deployment. It is likewise retained by the Commission on Immigration and Deportation to screen the health of foreign investors and other foreigners seeking residency in the Philippines.
by jester tan
in Ermita, Manila. Among its state-of-theart equipment are x-ray, pulmonary function test, ECG machine, treadmill and others imported from Japan and Hongkong. The clinic later acquired other exclusive laboratory equipment from multinational drug companies. And in order to serve more land- and sea-based applicants all over the country, PDSC established branches in major cities nationwide. At present, the clinic has branches in Iloilo, Cebu and Davao, with other cities also planned for its service expansion. Recognizing that Filipino seafarers are among the highly-skilled and preferred
crew by international shipping companies, PDSC established exclusive facilities for them. The move did not only assure a smooth flow of operations but also gained approval from various manning agencies and their principals. And to keep up with the ever changing needs and requirements of its clientele, PDSC was fully computerized in 1994. Through its computer network, result inquiries, data transmittal, certificate production, records storage and retrieval were accomplished fast and more efficiently. More and more reputable agencies have preferred to send their applicants to PDSC.
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SONORAY MEDICAL ENTERPRISES INC.
Suite 10, 3rd Floor, Legaspi Towers 300 Roxas Blvd. cor. P. Ocampo St., Malate, Manila, Philippines Tel. Nos. 525-8149 • 523-2650 • Telefax: 522-3936 E-mail address: smei@pacific.net.ph
DEALER OF THE FOLLOWING MEDICAL EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8.
QUANTUM X-RAY MACHINE FROM U.S.A. ALPHATEK PROCESSOR FROM U.S.A. HONDA ULTRASOUND MACHINE FROM JAPAN CAREWELL ECG AND ULTRASOUND MACHINE FROM CHINA MEDEX ECG MACHINE FROM CHINA ALL KINDS OF MEDICAL PAPERS FROM ISRAEL ALL KINDS OF ECG CABLES FROM CHINA ALL KINDS OF ULTRASOUND PROBES FROM CHINA
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September – October 2009
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Updates from the Filipino Shipowners Association FSA ACCEPTS NEW MEMBER The Association approved the application for membership of Odfjell Philippines, Inc. during the meeting of the Board of Trustees last 7 July 2009 at the Manila Yacht Club. FSA Chairman Carlos C. Salinas and FSA President Dario R. Alampay presented the Certificate of Membership to Capt. Remigio S. Zamora, the Odfjell Philippines representative. In the meantime, another applicant, CCI Marine Logistics, Inc. is waiting for the approval of its application by the Board of Trustees. FSA CHAIRMAN ELECTED ISF VICE-PRESIDENT FSA Chairman Carlos C. Salinas was unanimously elected for the second time as Vice-President of the International Shipping Federation (ISF) during the ISF Meeting held in London, on 20 May 2009. Mr. Salinas will serve as ISF Vice-President for two years. MARINA ENSURES SECURITY IN DAVAO GULF The Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) will tighten security measures for laid-up vessels in Malalag Bay in Davao as there are now 32 container vessels laid up in the said area. Marina said it made an integrated security approach in the Gulf of Davao to attract more vessel operators to lay up vessels in the Philippines. Davao attracted ship operators due to the area being typhoon-free. The Integrated Security Response Action Plan (ISRAP) for laid-up vessels is ready for signing through a Memorandum of Understanding among the maritime law enforcement agencies based in Davao such as the Philippine Navy, Office of the Transportation Security, Philippine National Police, PNP Maritime Command, the local government units, Immigration, Customs, Quarantine, and Security (ICQS) agencies and the lay-up agents.
RP – US SIGN ANTI-PIRACY TRAINING AGREEMENT The Philippines forged a MOU with the United States on the cooperation in maritime counter-piracy training and education. The MOU was signed between Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo on behalf of the Philippines and American Transportation and Communications Secretary Ray La Hood in simple ceremonies at Intercontinental Hotel in Washington. The MOU seeks to address the problem of international piracy especially in the Gulf of Aden with the Somali pirates being a very serious cause of concern. FSA PRESIDENT SEEKS SUPPORT FOR RP-FLAG SHIPS FSA President Dario R. Alampay revived calls to the government to allow the transport of its foreign trade via Philippine-flag vessels to help them cushion the impact of the crisis. Filipino Shipowners Association (FSA) has been clamoring that government support their long standing bid to take part in the carriage of bulk imports such as rice and coal. This will provide the opportunity to grow their business if they are given priority in the shipment of bulk commodities being imported by state-run agencies. FSA is looking at cornering at least half of the 85 percent of the government’s foreign trade which are being carried by foreign shipping lines. The National Food Authority (NFA) for instance imports about 1.5 million metric tons of rice per year while private sector may also import rice of up to 300,000 metric tons. RP LIAISON TO GULF ANTI PIRACY TASK FORCE APPOINTED The Government has appointed a Philippine Navy officer to the multinational task force conducting maritime security and anti-piracy operations in the Gulf of Aden.
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LOCAL NEWS
However, the identity of the officer has yet to be disclosed until his actual deployment in Manama, Bahrain where he will work with the Anti-Piracy Task Force under the United States 7th Fleet. The assignment of the naval attache’ also aims to establish a command that will provide guidance and safety instructions to vessels with Filipino crewmembers, passing the danger zone of the Gulf of Aden. There are still 46 Filipino seamen held hostage on board hijacked ships in Somalia and efforts to secure the safe and early release are still ongoing. PORT FEES REGULATOR SOUGHT Export associations have thrown their support to a proposal to get Malacañang’s approval of an executive order assigning a government agency to scrutinize and regulate unreasonable port charges collected by international shipping lines. The support was expressed during a recent meeting of the Philexport board where the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA), one of the agencies on the board, traced costly port charges in the Philippines to international shipping lines. AMOSUP REFRAINS FROM SEEKING WAGE INCREASE AMOSUP President, Capt. Gregorio Oca said recently that the Union will not ask for an increase in behalf of its members during their collective bargaining agreement (CBA) talks with ship-owning employers
OVERSEAS NEWS MALAYSIAN TUG FREED BY PIRATES The Malaysian press has reported that the Malaysian tug, Masindra 7, together with its tow– the Indonesian barge AOMI was released by Somali pirates on Sunday, 2 August 2009 together with its 11 man crew. The tug was hijacked last 16 December 2008 while on a return trip to Malaysia after completion of a contract job in the Middle East. It is believed that ransom was paid for the release of the tug. EU PLANS SOMALI COAST SECURITY FORCE The European Union announced that it plans to train Somali security forces to tackle the pirates operating along the country's coast. The BBC reports that the EU will send a planning team to the region next month. Training is to take place in neighbouring Djibouti, which has French and US military bases. 8
September – October 2009
The move fits in with calls from Somalia's Transitional Government that training its forces is the best way to defeat the pirates. It has already started to form a coastguard though Anderimar Shipping News understands that it is currently far from being an effective, deployable force. GUILTY PLEA IN RECORD BOOK OFFENSE The United States Department of Justice has announced that the Greek chief engineer of the Dominican-flagged bulk carrier Theotokos has pleaded guilty to violating environmental laws designed to prevent pollution from ships and making false statements to the US Coast Guard, the United States Justice Department has announced. Georgios Stamou pleaded guilty to one felony violation of the Act to Prevent Pollution from Ships and one felony violation for making a false statement. Stamou is the third crew member to www.harborscope.com
plead guilty to crimes related to pollution from Theotokos while on the high seas. The master, Panagiotis Lekkas, and the second engineer Charles Posas, both pleaded guilty to multiple felony counts on July 15, 2009. The case arose from attempts to conceal from the U.S. Coast Guard major problems involving oil leaking into a ballast tank and a leak from a ballast tank into the sea. PIRATE ATTACKS INCREASE WORLDWIDE The International Maritime Bureau (IMB) has reported that piracy attacks around the world more than doubled to 240 from 114 during the first six months of the year compared with the same period in 2008. The rise in overall numbers is due almost entirely to increased Somali pirate activity off the Gulf of Aden and east coast of Somalia, with 86 and 44 incidents reported respectively.
in September, but it will lobby for the retention of jobs even in times of crisis. He said that his group cannot ask for an increase at a time when the global shipping industry is also facing a crisis. “We just want our seafarers to keep their jobs; what we’re after here now is for their security of employment.” He said, however, that his group will not accept an earlier proposal by the employers for a decrease in wages by about 10 percent to 15 percent. RP TO INCREASE COAL IMPORTS THROUGH 2010-14 The Philippines, according to government sources, will need to import at least 500,000 tons more of coal inputs each year up to 2014 as new coal-fired power plants become operational. The Department of Energy (DOE) said that power generation eats up at least 75% of such imports with cement companies and industrial groups using the remainder. Coal imports are secured from Indonesia, China, Vietnam and Australia. TWO PORTS TO JOIN BIMP-EAGA The Ports of Mati (Davao) and Brooke’s Point (Palawan) are set to join the BIMPEAGA in order to simplify their operations. Ports in the BIMP-EAGA work together under lower tariffs as agreed by their respective port authorities to boost shipping in the region.
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The International Maritime Bureau (IMB) has reported that piracy attacks around the world more than doubled to 240 during the first six months. The year’s second quarter saw 136 reports of piracy compared with 104 in the first three months of 2009, an increase of almost a third. IMO GUIDANCE ON PIRACY The Maritime Safety Committee (MSC) of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) has approved a revised Guidance to Shipowners and ship operators, shipmasters and crew for preventing and suppressing acts of piracy and armed robbery against ships. VENEZUELA INCLUDED IN WAR RISK AREA The Joint War Committee (JWC) has added Venezuela (including all offshore installations in the Venezuela EE 2) in its list of war risk areas.
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PPA works on ISO certification T
he Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) is working on an ISO certification to standardize some of the operational functions in some of its major ports nationwide.
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PPA General Manager Atty. Oscar M. Sevilla said that the PPA has selected the vessel entrance and clearance process at the Port of Batangas to be certified first after which the process is hoped to be replicated in other major ports. The state-owned corporation recently conducted the symbolic launching of the PPA ISO Quality Management System (QMS) on vessel entrance and clearance at the Port of Batangas. The ISO QMS certification is being pursued by PPA in line with the objective of the Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC) Project on the Development of QMS for DOTC cluster Agencies and in compliance with the requirements of Executive Order 605 which directs all departments and agencies of the Executive Branch to establish and adopt the ISO-certified QMS. During its symbolic launching, PPA AGM Atty. Gloria Bañas said that the launching of the PPA ISO QMS is a fitting realization
of the Port Agency’s vision to catapult the major ports of the country towards becoming world-class. “Expectedly, this event now marks PPA’s initial journey towards ISO certification,” AGM Bañas added. Lilian Javier, PPA port operations services department manager said that the DOTC Project on QMS also aims to provide the required training to enable agencies to gain expertise on the ISO-QMS Standards. Cascading of the trainings and replication of the initial ISO-QMS process to other ports nationwide and/or expansion to other processes are left to the Port Agency to work on. The PPA targets to start the implementation at the Port of Batangas this mid August and to start working on its replication in Davao and General Santos before the year ends. “We plan to continue the same for the ports of Cagayan de Oro, Zamboanga and Iloilo by next year,” Ms. Javier added.
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Museum opens at PPA T
he Philippine Ports Authority (PPA), a governmentcontrolled corporation attached to the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) inaugurated the PPA Museum last July 9, 2009 in celebration of its 35th Anniversary. Secretary Leandro R. Mendoza of the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) is the Keynote Speaker on the occasion. The Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) Museum is a realization of the PPA community’s dream of showcasing the contribution of the ports to the country’s cultural heritage and the economy. The museum aims to collect, preserve and protect materials that depict the history of the Philippine ports, their past and present developments that will inspire an appreciation for its knowledge. The museum is a continuing project such that contributions or donations in the form of artifacts, memorabilia and other items that will augment the present collection and aid in the expansion and improvement of the museum will be appreciated. For its initial offering, the museum will present the ports of Manila consisting of the North and South Harbors, and the Manila International Container Terminal (MICT).
UPDATES ON THE PPA NORTH HARBOR MODERNIZATION PROJECT
port side
The PPA Museum is a realization of its’ dream of showcasing the contribution of the ports to the country’s cultural heritage and the economy.
The history of the ports which depicts the pre-colonial period, Spanish period (16th century to 1898), American Rule (1902-1946), the Second World War (1941-1946), Post War rehabilitation and expansion (1946-1999) up to the creation of the Philippine Ports Authority will be featured. It includes photos of the old ports of Manila, dioramas on the old and present pier setting, vessels and cargo handling equipment used in the ports. A number of artifacts loaned by port users will also be on display. Henceforth, other major Philippine ports will be feature in the museum. The PPA Museum is located at the 7th Floor of the PPA Head Office Building, A. Bonifacio Drive, South Harbor, Port Area, Manila.
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The Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) Special Bids and Awards Committee (SBAC) for the Public Bidding for the Development, Management, Operation and Maintenance of the Manila North Harbor conducted the Opening of Bids last 20 August 2009. The submitted bid proposals of the lone eligible bidder, Harbour Centre Port Terminals, Inc. (HCPTI) and Metro Pacific Investments Corp. (MPIC)
Joint Venture which passed the preliminary examination of bids is still subject to bid evaluation and post qualification to be conducted by the Technical Working Group of the SBAC within a 15-day period from the opening of bids. The Modernization of the Manila North Harbor (MNH) shall ensure the development of modern port terminal facilities and the provision of state-ofwww.harborscope.com
the-art equipment which is expected to result in more efficient port services which will redound to the benefit of the port users and the general public as well. The MNH, as privatized will only cater to domestic cargoes and will not compete with the ICTSI and ATI, Terminal Operators of MICT and South Harbor, respectively, in the handling of foreign cargoes.
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September – October 2009
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WIMAPHIL–NCR in action The NCR Chapter of WIMAPHIL successfully held an health awareness activity among residents of Brgy. Rizal, Pembo, City of Makati last September 12, 2009. Despite the rain, 10 WIMAPHIL-NCR members helped in the activity by facilitating group activities, distributing health kits, and giving away snacks among participants. ■
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editorial
A time for everything
C
ome September 2009, Harborscope will be two years old. It was remarkably promising for this fledgling publication to see the realization of its dream.
Harborscope now has international audience, be it print or web. My partner, Zenaida P. Magnial is a living testimony to the success of this humble yet noble publication. Ms. Magnial has been a frequent flyer recently receiving invitations here and abroad, making representations left and right. It was indeed, a good sign that Harborscope is beginning to carve a name for itself. One of the most recent is when she was invited to present an award in the prestigious Frost and Sullivan’s Asia Pacific’s Top Transportation & Logistics Companies held in Singapore. It was an experience she herself could not believe will happen in less than two years. This is quite an achievement for the company.
Moreover, an exciting development will now happen in Harborscope. Yours truly will be replaced by someone obviously better and qualified to become managing editor. Yours truly, being the founding director of Harborscope, decided to relinquish his position so that this noble concept will continue to move forward and outlive us all. With this, I am grateful for my partners for giving me this last opportunity to formally bid farewell to all of you and to thank you for all the support given. We started in Harborscope as friends, and we will definitely part as friends. I fervently hope that you will continue to support what we have started without yours truly around.
Harborscope, in principle, will continue to serve the industry and will endeavor to bring you only the best developmental stories. It will continue to promote and empower the best interest of maritime entrepreneurs and live up to your expectations as a publication you can depend upon. Again, thank you for the support. I am sorry that I have to let go. Rest assured that this decision is for the good of everyone. There is a time and place for everything. And now is the time for Harborscope to further shine. Cheers!
***
scope Executive Director Ms. Zenaida P. Magnial was invited to present an award at the Forst & Sullivan’s recognition on Asia Pacific’s Top Transportation & Logistics Companies. The event was also supported by the Singapore Economic Development Board, Singapore. Media partners for the awards include Logistics Insight Asia, Business Today, Harborscope and Logistics Digest. The participation of Ms. Magnial in the said event is a manifestation that Harborscope indeed has an international presence.
Harborscope has gone a long way to reach its goal. On July 23, 2009 at the Grand Ballroom of the Intercontinental Hotel in Singapore, Harbor-
MR. Jun G. Garcia Founder and Managing Editor Harborscope
PRC hails Capt. Simeon Balita as 2009 Outstanding Professional
T
he Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) recently cited Capt. Simeon B. Balita as the 2009 Outstanding Professional Awards for Marine Deck Officers profession. He was hailed for his unselfish contribution and valuable dedication in the country and in the maritime industry. Capt. Balita has served the Philippine Navy for 20 years before joining the ranks of Overseas Filipino Workers as Marine Superintendent and Staff Captain of MV Saudi Pilipinas I in Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. After completing his twoyear contract, he returned to our country to serve the maritime sector. Subsequently, he was given an assignment as Harbor Pilot in Batangas Port under the supervision of the Philippine Ports Authority. From 1982 to 2006, Capt. Balita consistently exhibited professional competence, unselfish dedication and integrity. He was then promoted as Chief Pilot and maintained his position for nearly a decade. Consequently in 1998, he was appointed Member of the Board for Marine Deck Officers of the Professional Regulation Commission by then Philippine President Joseph E. Estrada. Having served for a year, Capt. Balita has supported numerous plans and programs of the Board and of the PRC for its constituents. It was during his time when unscrupulous seafarers holding fake training certificates
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were apprehended and referred to the legal department of PRC. It eventually became an eye-opener to the lawmakers, the industry stakeholders, and the government agencies regulating the maritime sector, including the flag-states authorities, to conduct comprehensive investigation and screening on the authenticity of the training certificates of the seafarers. With the concerted efforts of the industry, plus the valuable contributions of Capt. Balita and other board members as well, the Philippines was able to regain its integrity as the supplier of competent seafarers which was almost compromised by the proliferation the fraudulent certificates. It was also during his stint when the Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping (STCW) 1978 was reviewed and revised to what is now STCW ’95. It then led to the stringent production of qualified seafarers in the Philippines, as well as in other parts of the maritime world. It was also during his term in PRC when the review and drafting of the new system and the questionnaire for the licensure examination was implemented as per the Republic Act 8544. His dedica-
With the concerted efforts of the industry, plus the valuable contributions of Capt. Balita and other board members as well, the Philippines was able to regain its integrity as the supplier of competent seafarers which was almost compromised by the proliferation the fraudulent certificates. tion to ensure best practices in the board further boosted the country’s integrity in the production of marine deck and engine officers as well. Capt. Balita was also appointed as member of the Board for Marine Inquiry (BMI) by the Commandant of the Philippine Coast Guard for three years since July 1, 2005 and as Panel of Examiner for Harbor Pilot by the then Administrator of MARINA in February 2006. His devotion to duty and professional competence resulted in the speedy resolutions of maritime cases in the BMI. He placed third in the Harbor Pilot Examination in 1979 among 25 other examinees. He has been a recipient of many meritorious awards and plaques of commendation for his services both in the government and private sectors. No wonder, he was a topnotcher at the then Philippine Nautical School in 1958 and a consistent honor student since his primary and secondary education.
HARBORSCOPE, Inc. Publisher
Jun G. Garcia Managing Editor
Wilton M. Venus President
Ronald B. Escanlar Creative Director | Webmaster
Zenaida P. Magnial Executive Director
HESELLE B. GARCHITORENA Editorial Assistant
In addition, Capt. Balita has also served as maritime assessor at the National Assessment Center of the Maritime Training Council, Competency Assessor at the Technical Education and Skill Development Authority (TESDA) and CHED Assessor for Maritime Education, where he all served with distinction and efficiency. He also served as Director of the Masters and Mates Association of the Philippines, Inc. (MMAP). His involvement in the private sector as president of the Philgrescan Corporation, dean of Modern Maritime School and director for Global Training System, Inc. further honed his skills and leadership before assuming a seat in the government offices. Moreover, Capt. Balita has left a good legacy of service and professionalism in the merchant marine profession and has aptly demonstrated competence and unselfish dedication and integrity in the service of the Filipino people.
Joyce Faye M. Padolina Finance Officer JEROME P. MAGNIAL PAUL RICHARD A. EVITE GREGORIO E. FERRER, jr. Circulation Assistants
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Harborscope is a bi-monthly publication of Harborscope, Inc. with editorial and business offices at Room 502 FEMII Building, Andres Soriano Street, Intramuros, Manila. Please address all correspondence to harborscope@ yahoo.com. Our telephone numbers are (+632) 484–8685 and (+632) 400–4767. Advertising materials can be sent to harborscope.mktg@yahoo.com and harborscope@gmail.com.
April 2009–May 2009
11
Empowering Maritime Entrepreneurs
ELBURG SHIPMANAGEMENT PHILS. INC. MAIN OFFICE 6/F NEDA Building, 106 Amorsolo St. Legaspi Village, Makati City Tel Nos: (02) 817-0971 to 75 Fax No: (02) 894-2802 E-mail: elburg@elburgshipmanagement.com.ph
CEBU OFFICE Room 407 Colon Development Corporation Building Osmena Boulevard, Cebu City Telefax: (032) 238-7236
WE ARE IN NEED OF CREW FOR THE FOLLOWING TYPE OF VESSELS OFFICERS: 25 MASTER • 25 CHIEF OFFICERS • 25 CHIEF ENGINEERS • 25 SECOND OFFICERS 25 ELECTRICIANS • 25 SECOND ENGINEERS • 25 THIRD OFFICERS • 25 THIRD ENGINEERS. RATINGS: SEVENTY FIVE (75)
LPG (Registered in Italy) • PRODUCT TANKERS (Registered in Marshall Island) • BULK CARRIER (Registered in Marshall Islands,Malta, Cyprus & United Arab Emirates) • GENERAL CARGO (Registered in Italy, Panama & Malta) • RORO(Registered in Italy) • ANCHOR HANDLING (Registered in Italy) Board passers are welcome to apply with the possibility of promotion. Qualified officers with inter-island experience may also apply. For interested applicants, please submit in person your curriculum vitae, training certificates, and service records or call our office. You may look for EVANGELINE RACHO President
ANGELITA S.A. ANCHETA Crewing Manager
POEA License No. POEA–018–SB–031 705–R
CREWTECH SHIPMANAGEMENT PHILS., INC. 5/F NEDA Building, 106 Amorsolo Street Legaspi Village, Makati City Tel Nos: (02) 813-6216 / 812-9247 / 812-6836 / 893-7269 E-mail: crewtech@crewtech.net Website: http://www.crewtech.net
WE ARE IN NEED OF CREW FOR THE FOLLOWING TYPE OF VESSELS: OFFICERS: 20 masters • 20 chief officers • 20 chief engineers • second engineers • 20 electricians • 20 second officers • 20 third engineers RATINGS: FIFTY (50)
LPG (Registered in Marshall Island) • PRODUCT TANKERS (Registered in Marshall Island) • CHEMICAL TANKER (Registered in Italy,Malta & Marshall Island) • BULK CARRIER (Registered in Italy,Malta,Cyprus & United Arab Emirates) • GENERAL CARGO (Registered in Italy, Panama & Malta) Board passers are welcome to apply with the possibility of promotion. Qualified officers with inter-island experience may also apply. For interested applicants, please submit in person your curriculum vitae, training certificates, and service records or call our office. You may look for MARY ANN S.A. CABALTEJA Vice President/Operations Manager POEA LICENSE NO 013-SB-103007-PL