THE OFFICIAL E-BULLETIN OF
Volume 17 | Issue 1 | February 2021
A LETTER FROM THE
EDITORIAL TEAM
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TC celebrates its 42nd anniversary, one of the few companies in the country that has withstood the test of time and continues to excel in the industries within which it operates. This longevity is testament to the ways in which PTC has prioritized sustainability from its earliest beginnings in 1979, seeing sustainability as not only necessary for survival, but more importantly, essential to fulfilling its purpose. In this Anniversary Issue of Waves, we celebrate how PTC has taken on the responsibility to go beyond just business and consistently carry out efforts to help shape the future, particularly for the Philippines. We feature stories that demonstrate the work that goes into realizing our sustainability strategies and strengthen the integration of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs) into daily operations. As we look to the next 42 years, PTC is poised, driven towards a better normal; one that continues to steer our sustainability agenda and support the UNSDGs across all facets of operations; puts the health and welfare of our global maritime professionals at the forefront of COVID-19 vaccination programs; ushers in advancement in maritime training and career development; strengthens strategic partnerships and industry engagement; and cultivates tomorrow’s global maritime professionals. - Y O U R WAV E S E D I T O R I A L T E A M PTC WAV ES
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PTC Corporate Sustainability Recognized at the Nordic Sustainability Awards
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Jebsen PTC: Stronger Together
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PTC Sustainability at a Glance
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PTC AT 42 : Driving Towards a Better Normal
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Promoting Seafarer Wellbeing and Crew Change Solutions PTC Champions the Neptune Declaration on Seafarer Wellbeing and Crew Change
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Ambassador Carlos Salinas Advocates a Culture of Seafarer Care at BCA Webinar
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PHILCAMSAT and Mapuá-PTC CMET Triumph with BMI Recognition for an Impressive 7th Year in A Row
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Advancing Maritime Training and Career Development
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PHILCAMSAT Expands OPITO Accreditation and Offers Five New Courses
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PHILCAMSAT Makes Notable Digital Strides with its Blended Learning Program
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Cultivating Tomorrow’s Global Maritime Professionals PHILCAMSAT Selects the Best and Brightest for IMSHS Cadet Work Immersion Program
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Keeping the World Moving through Filipino Maritime Talent
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Strategic Partnerships and Industry Engagement Health Metrics Strenghtens its Partnership with the Department of Health in Seafarer Health and COVID-19 Testing
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PTC’s Karen Avelino at the Helm of PAMTCI
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Homeruns in Operational Excellence Jebsen PTC Thrives on Quality Management Excellence with Successful ISO 9001 Audit
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Maintaining Strict Health and Safety Protocols in 2021
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P T C AT 4 2 : DRIVING TOWARDS A BETTER NORMAL
Members of the PTC community gathered online to celebrate their 42nd anninversary with a mass presided by Fr. Tito Caluag.
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We enter 2021 knowing that we are, indeed, stronger together.”
his is how PTC CEO Gerardo Borromeo opened his message marking PTC’s 42nd anniversary. He continued, “Over the past year, we rose to the challenge brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic with grit, grace, and flexibility, united in purpose and unwavering in faith. Our resiliency, built through years of navigating the many challenges faced throughout our corporate history, best manifested itself in the events of 2020. We can stand proud that, today, our foundation remains solidly in place, ready to propel us forward.” PTC celebrates its 42nd anniversary with renewed inspiration and hope, committed to its purpose and driven towards a better normal. Anchored on its legacy, PTC defines its future by establishing solutions today for the challenges of tomorrow.
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PTC SUSTAINABILITY AT A G L A N C E
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n 1979, Ambassador Carlos Salinas founded PTC for Filipinos aspiring for a future in the merchant maritime field. Having grown beyond crew management, the PTC Group stands today as a powerful catalyst for career development on land, air, and sea, and continuously seeks to expand its influence to create a lasting and positive impact on society and the environment. Harnessing the momentum it has built over the years, PTC creates opportunities by partnering with local and international stakeholders, including the government, in policy creation and national maritime education programs to ensure that the Philippines remains a premiere source of global maritime professionals that enable industries, economies, and countries through shipping. Through the PTC-CSJ Foundation, organized in 2010, the company embraces sustainable corporate citizenry and social responsibility by spearheading community initiatives guided by global philosophies that help advance quality education; improve financial literacy; advocate environmental awareness, conservation, and disaster preparedness; contribute to nation-building through job creation; promote gender equality, diversity, and inclusion; and create a future that is better and more equitable. With greater purpose for its people, community, and the planet, PTC is passionately committed to sustainably provide world-class professionals, resources, and services that move people, move lives and move the world. PTC WAV ES
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PTC CORPORATE SUSTAINABILITY RECOGNIZED AT THE NORDIC SUSTAINABILITY AWARDS
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TC was among four global companies selected as finalists by the Nordic Sustainability Awards for its Sustainability Business Partner of the Year category. The selection placed PTC in esteemed company, alongside the likes of fashion and lifestyle giant H&M – Hennes & Mauritz, KMC Solutions, and Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy. The recognition affirms PTC’s established sustainability strategies and the disciplined approach through which the organization institutionalizes the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs) in its operations. The category acknowledges companies or organizations that conduct business operations with the least negative impact possible on the environment, community, and society. The category also considers efforts in engaging environmentally friendly pursuits at all aspects of the organization to guarantee that its processes, products, and production activities adequately address current environmental concerns while maintaining a profit. Actively promoting people, planet and prosperity, PTC embraces the UNSDGs and strives to effect change and move the world in
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more ways than one. To enhance its contribution to society, PTC pursues programs that aim to address the UNSDGs on Zero Hunger, Good Health and Well-Being, Quality Education, Gender Equality, Decent Work and Economic Growth, Life Below Water, and Partnerships to Achieve the Goals. The Nordic Sustainability Awards are organized by the Nordic Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (NordCham), which was established in 2012 to bring together the Nordic-Philippine business community. The organization promotes and facilitates trade, commerce, industry, and investment between the Philippines and the Nordic (Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden) and Baltic (Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania) countries. PTC WAV ES
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JEBSEN PTC: STRONGER TOGETHER
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Blessing Jebsen PTC Inc.’s office in Makati.
fter six years of solid cooperation that commenced in 2014, Jebsen and PTC’s expanded partnership has been formalized with the formation of Jebsen PTC. With a combined experience of 80 years in global shipping and pioneering track records, Jebsen PTC drives even greater synergies in crew development, deployment, and enhanced crew well-being. This expanded partnership of leaders serves to make Jebsen PTC even stronger together. 12
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The signing ceremony between Aboitiz Equity Ventures and PTC Holdings back in 2014.
The new Jebsen PTC office at the Pilgrim Building in Aguirre St., Makati City.
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P T C C H A M P I O N S THE NEPTUNE DECLARATION ON S E A F A R E R W E L L B E I N G AND C R E W C H A N G E Rallying over 300 industry stakeholders in calling for immediate action on the crew change crisis
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onoring the 400,000 Filipino seafarers who serve as the world’s heroes at sea, keep countries supplied with all their essential needs and contribute more than $6 billion in annual remittances to the Philippine economy, PTC played a key role in crafting The Neptune Declaration on Seafarer Wellbeing and Crew Change, which defines four main actions to facilitate crew changes and keep global supply chains functioning:
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Recognize seafarers as key workers and give them priority access to COVID-19 vaccines.
Increase collaboration between ship operators and charterers to facilitate crew changes.
Establish and implement gold standard health protocols based on existing best practice.
Ensure air connectivity between key maritime hubs for seafarers.
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It is this very commitment to the Filipino global maritime professional that drives PTC to champion the Neptune Declaration to call on governments and supply chain stakeholders to take swifter action on the crew change crisis and prioritize the welfare of seafarers amidst the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. PTC WAV ES
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“We have a unique opportunity to make a difference, coming together to resolve the humanitarian concerns of our seafarers they are the “heart and soul” of a ship who enable this industry to “move the world,” said Gerardo A. Borromeo, PTC ViceChairman & CEO. Karen Avelino, PTC Executive Director of Business Development for Shipping & Senior Vice President of Cruise Operations, adds “We stand with the global shipping and maritime industry in calling for support for the Neptune Declaration to ensure that the health, safety, and mental wellbeing of our seafarers are prioritized and that their livelihoods are protected, allowing them to continue to carry out their essential work of sustaining daily life for populations across the globe and moving the world.” A staunch champion of the Neptune Declaration, PTC was the only Filipino organization that was part of the Declaration‘s taskforce of stakeholders from across the maritime value chain, which included A. M. Nomikos, Cargill, Dorian LPG, GasLog, Global Maritime Forum, International Chamber of Shipping, International Maritime Employers’ Council, International Transport Workers’ Federation, ONE, Sustainable Shipping Initiative, Synergy Group, V. Group, and World Economic Forum. To learn more about the Neptune Declaration and see the full list of undersigning companies and organizations, please visit www. globalmaritimeforum.org. 16
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The health, safety, and welfare of its PTC Global Maritime Professionals have always been a priority of the company. With the support and cooperation of its principals and partners, PTC ensures that COVID-19 protocols are strictly followed at every stage of the crew change process: from leaving the PTC office, taking their land transfers and boarding their respective vessels.
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AMBASSADOR CARLOS SALINAS ADVOCATES A C U L T U R E OF S E A F A R E R CARE AT B C A W E B I N A R Asserts the central role of seafarer wellbeing in Navigating Opportunities and Challenges for the Shipping Industry
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mbassador Carlos C. Salinas was among the esteemed panelists of industry leaders for the web conference on “Expanding Filipino-Greek Cooperation in the Shipping industry: Opportunities and Challenges Ahead” organized by Business College Athens (BCA) of Greece on January 14, 2021. 18
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The online event was hosted by Mr. Apostolos Poulovasilis, Shipping Department Director of BCA, and featured global industry leaders who discussed how the pandemic has influenced the relationships between shipping companies and seafarers, improving seafarers’ wellbeing and mental health at sea, managing cultural integration onboard, and harnessing technology for the continued competency development of seafarers. “At PTC, we have adopted a culture of care that allows the crew to feel that they are part of the company, that they have a future with us, and that future is manifested in training,” shared Ambassador Salinas during the webinar. “As a seafarer absorbs more training, he starts to have greater confidence in himself and his capabilities and this shows in the way he performs his job. A crew member who sees that the company is investing in him through training, also starts to build stronger loyalties to the company.” He adds, “As part of this culture of care, we also hold seminars with seafarers’ wives to educate them on how they can help their husband maintain their health even when on onshore, to ensure that they are always fit for duty. We do this for the benefit of both our crew and the shipowners that we work with.” Ambassador Salinas also underscored how the Philippines can greatly benefit from fostering stronger ties with the Greek shipping industry in order to further enhance the development of Filipino seafarers and ensure that they continue to move the world as enablers of the industry. PTC WAV ES
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PHILCAMSAT AND MAPUÁ-PTC CMET TRIUMPH WITH BMI RECOGNITION FOR AN IMPRESSIVE 7TH YEAR IN A ROW
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Both institutions remain as the only BMI-recognized training providers in Asia
or the seventh year running, PHILCAMSAT and the Mapuá-PTC College of Maritime Education and Training (CMET) further strengthened their commitment to excellence at their latest Belgian Maritime Inspectorate (BMI) audit conducted online on January 19 for PHILCAMSAT and January 22 for CMET. Both institutions exceeded the BMI audit’s stringent requirements, achieving Zero Non-conformity during the audit despite the challenges brought on by the pandemic. The BMI auditors, comprised of Tom Clijmans and Lenty Kenis together with Capt. Marc Robert and Niki Vanlngelgem of Exmar, were impressed by the significant milestones achieved by both PHILCAMSAT and CMET since the last audit in December of 2019.
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PHILCAMSAT EXPANDS OPITO ACCREDITATION AND O F F E R S F I V E N E W COURSES
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HILCAMSAT expanded their offering of specialized OPITO courses following a successful audit conducted on January 11 to 12 by AP Approvals Auditor, Mr. Airil Amlir. The Center now offers five (5) new OPITO courses on Compressed Air Emergency Breathing System (CAEBS), namely: •
Initial Deployment Training (IDT) CA-EBS (Standard Code 5902) BOSIET with CA-EBS (Standard Code 5750) HUET with CA-EBS (Standard Code 5295) FOET with CA-EBS (Standard Code 5850) Shallow Water CA-EBS IDT (Standard Code 5903)
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The Offshore Petroleum Industry Training Organization, more commonly referred to as OPITO, is responsible for the standards in the oil and gas industry particularly in emergency response and training. These standards are necessary for the welfare of the oil and gas workers, manning groups, and other stakeholders of the industry. 22
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The OPITO audit conducted online.
Delivery of the FOET with CA-EBS course at The MAST.
The official run of the FOET with CA-EBS course was held on February 12, 2021 at PHILCAMSAT’s The MAST Campus. The course aims to provide delegates with the opportunity to practice and demonstrate emergency response skills which are not possible to conduct during drills, exercises, and emergency training offshore. PTC WAV ES
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PHILCAMSAT MAKES NOTABLE DIGITAL S T R I D E S WITH ITS B L E N D E D LEARNING PROGRAM
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HILCAMSAT launched its Blended Learning Program with the Basic Training pilot class last January 25, 2021. The trainees from the Joint Delivery Voucher Program (JDVP) participated remotely through the use of PHILCAMSAT’s Learning Management System (LMS) developed in tandem with SIMWAVE Academy, a maritime training and simulator solutions provider based in the Netherlands. PHILCAMSAT drives training innovation through enhanced learning experiences that integrate technology and quality instruction: trainees are guided by the LMS for self-directed learning, while certified and qualified instructors deliver both on-line and face-to-face classes. Spearheading this project is PHILCAMSAT’s Training Operations Team, which continuously drives its vision to transform seafarers into global maritime professionals.
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PHILCAMSAT’s Blended Learning trainees attending their online class.
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PHILCAMSAT SELECTS THE B E S T AND B R I G H T E S T FOR I M S H S C A D E T W O R K IMMERSION PROGRAM
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The IMSHS cadets during the program briefing.
ifty-one (51) promising global maritime professionals of the future rose to the top of the Ismael Mathay Sr. High School’s (IMSHS) cadet work immersion program following a rigorous selection process undertaken by the Philippine Center for Advanced Maritime Simulation and Training, Inc. (PHILCAMSAT).
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The work immersion program is part of the Maritime Senior High School curriculum and involves hands-on experience or work simulation to equip learners with competencies and knowledge to prepare the cadets for the following positions: Deck Watchkeeping Ratings as per STCW 1978, as Amended, Regulation II/4; Engine Watchkeeping Ratings as per STCW 1978, as Amended, Regulation III/4; and Ship’s Catering Services NC1 – Messman. The 80-hour work immersion program was developed by PHILCAMSAT as the school’s partner training institution under the Joint Voucher Development Program of TESDA. This program is implemented in partnership with the TK Foundation. In an inspirational message, newly appointed IMSHS Principal IV, Dr. Modesto Villarin, affirmed his support for the school’s Maritime Technical-Vocational-Livelihood Track while Mr. Ceazar Augustus G. Parra, IMSHS maritime focal person, imparted a message of gratitude to PHILCAMSAT and the other partner institutions of the program. The event was also attended by Quezon City Public Schools District Supervisor Dr. Jeffrey De Guzman. C/E Alfredo Haboc and Capt. George Sangil of PHILCAMSAT conducted the rigorous interviews of the maritime high school cadets concluding the following day with the selection of the final 51 cadets.
Tests and interviews were part of the program’s rigorous selection process. PTC WAV ES
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KEEPING THE WORLD M O V I N G THROUGH F I L I P I N O MARITIME TALENT
DIGITAL RECRUITMENT EFFORTS REACH NEAR 200,000 SEAFARERS
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he company’s aggressive online recruitment efforts to attract the best and the brightest into the PTC pool of global maritime professionals is on its fifth month. The Online Job Fair series, done every Wednesday as a Facebook Live Event via the PTC Careers page, has now reached over 200,000 seafarers with an average of 400 live viewers and more than 10,000 viewers during the week of its broadcast. The weekly job fair is focused on the latest sea-based career opportunities for cargo vessels to serve the maritime manpower requirements of The PTC Group’s close to 160 crewing partners. Leaders from PTC Inc. including Capt. Ronald Enrile, Senior Vice President of PTC Ship Management; Mr. Ronald Macalintal, Vice President for Crewing Operations; and C/E Alfredo Haboc, PHILCAMSAT QA and Program Director, served as guest speakers during the live streams to help guide applicants and inspire them to pursue their careers with PTC.
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HEALTH METRICS STRENGTHENS ITS P A R T N E R S H I P WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
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IN SEAFARER HEALTH AND COVID-19 TESTING
epartment of Health Secretary Francisco T. Duque III visited the Health Metrics Inc. (HMI) Makati clinic on December 23, 2020. His team was welcomed by HMI Chief Medical Officer (CMO), Dr. Antonio Roberto Abaya, MD, who gave them a tour of the clinic’s in-house COVID-19 testing facility equipped with its very own molecular laboratory. HMI, the preferred health care partner of PTC, is the first maritime clinic to establish an in-house molecular laboratory having been at the forefront of COVID-19 testing among Filipino seafarers nationwide since the start of the pandemic in March. Utilizing the MicoBiomed (MBM) Veri Q PCR316, a compact point-of-care diagnostics machine that can process six samples in as fast as 30 minutes, HMI is able to significantly reduce the total processing time of test results. The MBM Veri Q M16 meanwhile is an automated RNA/DNA extractor that can process up to 16 samples in as little as 40 minutes. With these 2 machines, HMI’s
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DOH Secretary Francisco Duque (left) with HMI CMO Dr. Antonio Abaya (right) during his visit to Health Metrics’ molecular laboratory.
laboratory can perform and complete 300 tests within a 10-hour shift equating to over 9,000 tests in a month. HMI has also been designated as the official provider of RT-PCR COVID-19 testing services by the Korean Chamber of Commerce Philippines (KCCP) following a memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed by Mr. Ho lk Lee, KCCP President, and HMI CMO, Dr. Abaya. “We are honored that KCCP has chosen HMI as its official COVID-19 testing provider and as their partner in helping ensure the health and safety of their members through reliable and accurate testing,” said Dr. Abaya. PTC WAV ES
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PTC’S KAREN AVELINO
K
AT THE
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PAMTCI
aren Avelino, PTC Executive Director of Business Development for Shipping & Senior Vice President of Cruise Operations, has been re-elected as President of the Philippine Association of Maritime Training Centers, Inc. (PAMTCI) representing the Philippine Center for Advanced Maritime Simulation and Training, Inc. (PHILCAMSAT). The elections were held during the association’s Annual General Membership Meeting on December 18, 2020. Ms. Avelino will serve for a period of two years from January 1, 2021 to December 31, 2022, leading the association in the effort to further elevate the quality of Philippine maritime education and training and ensure the industry’s compliance with local and international standards. 32
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PAMTCI is committed to helping its members and the industry develop, implement, and maintain effective standards of maritime education and training. PTC WAV ES
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JEBSEN PTC THRIVES ON QUALITY MANAGEMENT EXCELLENCE WITH SUCCESSFUL ISO 9001 AUDIT
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ebsen PTC Inc. underwent a successful ISO 9001:2015 surveillance audit conducted by ABS Quality Evaluations on the company’s Quality Management System last December 2020. The fiveday surveillance audit was headed by Mr. Alvaro Souza who noted the company’s 100% compliance to the ISO 9001:2015 standards with zero nonconformities raised.
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PROTECTING HEALTH AN D MAINTAINING STRICT HEALTH AN D SAFETY PROTOCOLS IN 2021
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Antigen testing for PTC Group employees conducted under strict health and safety protocols.
TC continues to uphold the most rigorous health and safety protocols to ensure the well-being of our shore staff and global maritime professionals. COVID-19 test results are a requisite prior to being given access to the PTC offices. Personnel complete health vetting questionnaires, personal health indicators are monitored; temperature scans are administered to anyone entering the facilities, which are sanitized thoroughly at the end of every workday. With all this in place, PTC welcomed 2021 safely, united in purpose and committed to good health. Staff-wide COVID-19 antigen testing is conducted by Health Metrics on a regular basis, and the company doctor works closely with personnel who are experiencing any physical or mental difficulties. PTC WAV ES
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Philippine National Artist Ben Cab’s tapestry art “Dance in Five Movements”
