Volume 16 Issue 4 September 2020 | PC
The PTC Group remains guardedly optimistic The Philippine government opens up “green lanes� to expedite deployment of Global Maritime Professionals (GMPs) The PTC Group - your partner in service of principals and GMPs throughout the global pandemic Health Metrics leads the way for RADT and PT-PCRC Covid Testing
Volume 16 Issue 4 September 2020
In this issue
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PTC CEO Gerardo Borromeo Conveys Optimism for the Shipping Industry in the Face of the COVID-19 Pandemic The PTC Group Continues to Move the World in the New Normal • Serving the Global Filipino Professional online • Using Remote Learning • Staying COVID-free on the road • One PTC Community Online
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The PTC Group Remains Safe and Healthy Amidst the Pandemic According to Health Metrics Report PTC Facilitates Crew Change for Euronav PTC Inc. Passes Periodic Audits for ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 The Maritime Industry Round Up • Philippine government opens first ‘ green lane’ for seafarers in Asia • MARINA Extends Validity of STCW Certificates & Seaman’s Book
PTC CEO Gerardo Borromeo Conveys Optimism for the Shipping Industry in the Face of the COVID-19 Pandemic The Philippines is acknowledged as the prime source of competent and certified maritime professionals who move the industry and contribute significantly to the country’s annual remittance. The state of the shipping industry holds far-reaching effects on our country’s economy. “The cruise industry is a resilient industry, and it is, in fact, going to come back. Already today there are plans for cruises to begin again at the end of this year into the first quarter of next year. We may have hit a speed bump, but the industry will remain alive,” he said.
global supply chain. “Without the merchant vessels, world trade would not be possible,” explains Borromeo. “They do all of the heavy lifting. And as a country, we can be proud of the fact that Filipinos contribute a significant portion to the working positions onboard a ship. Without Filipinos, these ships won’t be able to sail.” To further illustrate the importance of Filipinos in the industry, Borromeo paints a picture of an alternate scenario in which, if for some reason Filipinos suddenly decide not to sail, the merchant fleet will be severely affected, and world trade will virtually be put to a halt. “Just imagine, one VLCC (Very Large Crude Carrier) goes through the West Philippine Sea towards Japan, China, and Korea every hour. If these ships stop because no one would man them, imagine what would happen to the whole energy platform of those countries. Imagine the effect that this will have on manufacturing and other industries. So, while the Philippines may not be a tonnage provider, we are most definitely tonnage enablers.”
“As for the cargo sector, it continues to operate despite the perceived slowdown of trade,” he adds. “While about 10-12% of container vessels, which make up a big part of global trade, is idle at any given time, this does not necessarily mean a lack of business. Some are just in ports and yards being retrofitted and prepared for the next phase of their voyage. Most ships still continue to operate which is reflective of the industry’s resiliency despite the pandemic we are facing.” This resilience is thanks in huge part to the 300,000 Filipinos who make up about 25% of all the maritime professionals on board cargo ships, serving as the backbone of the Volume 16 Issue 4 | September 2020
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The crucial role that Filipino Global Maritime Professionals (GMPs) play in world trade necessitates measures to ensure that they can get back to their jobs onboard despite the challenges that travel restrictions currently pose. “While the ships continue sailing, the crew onboard have to sacrifice and stay longer than they were initially required to,” he continues. “We need to find a way to let the Filipinos who are on the ground here, waiting to take their place out on the ship, to facilitate crew changes that are necessary. That’s why we at PTC have been working very closely with the government to ensure that this is done immediately.” And while he admits that the industry has been caught flat-footed by COVID-19, he shares that the pandemic has also taught the sector a lot of lessons including the need to know how to deal with different governments and jurisdictions, as well as, how to work with different multimodal transport systems.
The cruise industry is also looking to adopt significant changes as it resumes its operations in the coming months. These include introducing cruises that are designed not to go anywhere. “It could be a 4-day cruise that doesn’t go and dock in various ports but will still allow people to see the beauty around them, be entertained, and have an unforgettable experience with their family.” “Cruising may also start with just one nationality at a time. For example, a vessel leaving from Marseille, France will probably cater to just the French community. Same thing for a cruise departing from Italy or the US. This way, you avoid the possibility of cross-contamination. The intention is that once we can overcome fears about cruising and that health protocols are firmly enforced; we will try to go back to a pre-COVID situation albeit with new normals in place.”
“To get a crew member on board, you need to be able to fly him from one airport to another. Today, without the commercial airlines operating, this step proves to be much more difficult.” Borromeo emphasizes the need for a systems dynamics approach to figure out the challenges that the industry has faced. This will put in place business continuity plans to assure that people, especially GMPs, can get on board their ships at any time as seamlessly as possible. 2
Volume 16 Issue 4 | September 2020
With pragmatic optimism, Borromeo acknowledges that while it is unfortunate that shipping, particularly the cruise industry, has been affected by the pandemic, the industry is united in the decision and exhaustive efforts to come back very strong. “There may be hiccups along the way, there may be a slowdown in overall trade, but the shipping industry will remain relatively resilient. And we can be proud of our contribution to this effort because it is our people who enable these ships to make it from one point to the other. It is our Global Maritime Professionals that will ensure that global trade will continue, during and after this crucial period, and essentially move the world in more ways than one.”
The PTC Group Continues to Move the World in the New Normal
From Day 1 of the government lockdown, the company continued to operate and serve the needs of the GMPs and their principals. Throughout the strict Enhanced Community Quarantine and into the more relaxed General Community Quarantine that was enforced in Metro Manila and other parts of the country, the PTC Group has remained committed to serving the Global Filipino Professional by introducing new ways of delivering its services through digital technologies and other innovations that address the challenges of the current new normals. “With a majority of us now coming to work at our offices, we are establishing a new rhythm and set of habits that balances caution with reinvigorated confidence and a deepened sense of purpose. This is true across our organization and across the industries that we move. Business as usual in very unusual circumstances is our way forward,” said PTC CEO Gerardo Borromeo. “Part of establishing workable new habits is to embrace and readily adapt to new ways of working. We have often said that to solve a complex issue, we sometimes need the simplest of solutions.” These new solutions are currently being adapted by the PTC Group’s various business units all with the goal of providing the same quality of service to its partners, customers and clients.
Serving the Global Filipino Professional online Despite the logistical challenges imposed by the community quarantine, PTC Inc. continued to reach out to Global Maritime Professionals (GMP) through Connect 2020, allowing GMPs to process their documentary requirements online and aspiring PTC GMPs to submit their applications from the comforts of their home. A GMP Receiving Center, located at the Libao Building adjacent to First Maritime Place, was established to provide a venue for GMPs and applicants to conduct their crewing transactions safely and conveniently.
Taking care of the health of all GMPs at all stages of their deployment and their arrival is PTC’s preferred partner Health Metrics, Inc. Another preferred partner, Constellation Travels, ensures their seamless travel experience at all points of their journey in and out of the country. Attending to the inquiries of GMPs and allottees is the company’s Family and Crew Relations (FCR) team through the GMP Hotline. FCR has also taken their Life Skills 4
Volume 16 Issue 4 | September 2020
Seminars online, starting with a webinar on “Building Strong, Resilient and Joyful Lives” held on August 26 via Facebook Live. The webinar featured talks by Dr. Lia Bernardo, personal growth expert, M/Gen. Restituto Padilla Jr. AFP (Ret.), PTC Executive Director for Corporate Public Policy, Risks and Sustainability, and Capt. Ronald SJ Enrile, PTC Senior Executive Director for Government Affairs in Maritime Sectoral Representation. Meanwhile, Lifelinks, through their online channels, continued their German language training program to help nursing professionals pursue their healthcare career in Germany in the future.
Using Remote Learning Staying COVID-free on the road
Our GoPetrol frontliners continue to provide safe and reliable transport of fuel to customers across the Philippines. To protect all GoPetrol team members and frontliners throughout this period, the company has put in place strict health and safety protocols including regular COVID-19 testing, thorough disinfection of commonly touched areas of tank trucks, and proper use of PPEs at all times.
One PTC Community Online PHILCAMSAT introduced its Interactive E-learning Courses that can be conveniently accessed by maritime professionals from all over the globe. For their face to face classes, the Center conducts COVID-19 Rapid Testing for all trainees prior to the start of courses to ensure health and safety of both the trainees and PHILCAMSAT employees.
PTC Group employees continued to be one online through employee engagement activities which included the PTC Nod of Respect Video Selfie Challenge, monthly online PTC Group birthday celebrations, and webinars on health and wellness. Townhall sessions, dubbed as the PTC Thought Leadership Thursdays, were also organized featuring talks from leaders of the PTC Group. As the PTC Group’s mission remains steadfastly - to move the world in more ways than one, the company perseveres to give its tremendous effort to “normalize” operations, serve its stakeholders and help restart the Philippines economy. And while the COVID-19 pandemic continues to pose many challenges for many, the hearts of the people behind the PTC Group remain unchanged in humble service of its stakeholders, Global Filipino professionals, and the country.
Recognizing the importance of hands-on training, PTC Aviation Training Center uses the blended approach for their Aviation Technician and Flight Attendant Training Courses. First Aviation Academy meanwhile conducts webinars to reach out to aspiring pilots all over the country. PTC Group employees likewise used online learning through Premium LinkedIn E-Learning Courses on leadership, digitalization, productivity and wellness.
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The PTC Group Remains Safe and Healthy Amidst the Pandemic According to Health Metrics Report Dr. Antonio Abaya, Medical Director of Health Metrics Inc. — the PTC Group’s preferred health care partner, assured employees as he spoke at the June 23 edition of the PTC Townhall Series. Abaya reported that more than 99% of the PTC Group remains healthy and virus-free based on the 1,818 rapid antigen detection tests (RADT) conducted by Health Metrics on employees from May 18 to June 17, 2020.
according to data from the Department of Health, 70 to 80% of infected individuals are asymptomatic or exhibit only mild symptoms. And those that require intensive care treatment, including patients that have pre-existing health conditions, account for only 5% of the total cases. Coupled with consistent health and safety reminders and advisories, Dr. Abaya shares that the plan is to continue random testing at a certain percentage, particularly for employees who deal directly with external customers. “What’s really key is for us to continue practicing our health and safety protocols. Even if you transact with external clients, as long as you wear your face mask, stay behind safety barriers, and wash your hands after touching documents, then you will be safe.”
These results extended to the inbound and outbound PTC Global Maritime Professionals (GMPs) that were tested. Of the 1,520 polymerise chain reaction (PCR) tests conducted on GMPs, only 2.17% tested positive among the inbound group (repatriated GMPs) while 2% tested positive among the outbound group (GMPs for deployment). “The prevalence of the disease among both inbound and outbound seafarers is actually quite low compared to the statistics from the general population which is 5% among those tested,” Dr. Abaya explains. “This is very good news not just for our company, but for our country and industry as well, given the immense role that our seafarers play in global trade.” And while acknowledging that there is still a lot to be known about COVID-19, Dr. Abaya assures employees that 6
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Volume 16 Issue 4 | September 2020
PTC Facilitates Crew Change for Euronav
Crew changes continued, and principals chose to do so in the Philippines. The PTC crewing operations team together with PTCAT facilitated the crew change for M/T Sara of Euronav last August 2. The vessel, which was originally bound for Qingdao, China, was specifically rerouted by Euronav in order to conduct the crew change and safely bring 15 PTC GMPs who have finished their contracts back home as another set of 15 GMPs were deployed to take their place. Following strict health and safety protocols, the onboarding GMPs were brought to Pier 15 of the Manila South Harbor where they boarded a vessel that will take them to M/T Sara in Singapore. Meanwhile, the crew that have signed off are currently fulfilling their mandatory quarantine period before heading home to their respective families.
PTC Inc. Passes Periodic Audits for ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 The organization has successfully passed the ISO 9001:2015 periodic audit conducted on the company’s Quality Management System last June 8 to 9, 2020. The audit was facilitated online, a first for the company, by DNV-GL Auditor Mr. Randy Magnaye who announced that PTC has maintained the highest rating of 5 on the criterion “Company’s Degree of Control over its Quality Management System.” The company has also impressively posted 6 Positive Indications, without any non-conformities and observations noted on the audit report. The results attest to PTC’s long-standing commitment to the continuous improvement of the quality and consistency of its service for its Principals and Global Maritime Professionals. The company has likewise passed the second ISO 14001:2015 Follow-up Audit for its Environmental Management System (EMS) conducted remotely by Mr. Rolando Remitar, Lead Auditor of TÜV Rheinland Philippines, last June 24, 2020. Positively noted during the audit was the company’s Plastic Free Starts with Me campaign which has produced a total of 2,200 ecobricks containing 1,566 tons of plastic waste as of the end of 2019. Also noted was the company’s consistent awareness campaign against the usage of single-use plastics, including the recently launched BYOB program, implemented among employees despite the quarantine period.
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Volume 16 Issue 4 | September 2020
The Maritime Industry Round Up Philippine government opens first ‘green lane’ for seafarers in Asia
The Philippines opened the first “green lane” for seafarers in Asia to allow the free movement of seafarers and personnel across borders. The Joint Circular, which took effect on July 2, was created by the Philippine government to ensure that seafarers are accorded speedy and safe travel, subject to health protocols mandated by the Philippine government, including safe and swift disembarkation and crew change during the COVID-19 pandemic. This also intends to prevent the spread of COVID-19 for both Filipino and foreign seafarers whether inbound, outbound or transiting during crew change or repatriation. Furthermore, the Joint Circular will facilitate the creation of controlled travel corridors to open the Philippines for people-to-people and economic exchange and stimulate the country’s economy amidst its ongoing bout against the pandemic. The Joint Circular covers seafarers, licensed manning agencies, shipping companies, airlines and other entities involved in facilitating the travel of seafarers for purposes of crew change and repatriation during the COVID-19 pandemic. It sets the minimum standards and process flows for each applicable scenario that all stakeholders should follow to facilitate the speedy and safe conduct of crew change or repatriation. It also aims to complement the existing standard health and safety protocols. Source: https://dfa.gov.ph
MARINA Extends Validity of STCW Certificates & Seaman’s Book The Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) of the Philippines has extended the validity of STCW certificates and Seafarers’ Identification and Record Book (SIRB) to one year to help seafarers who are dealing with difficulties caused by the coronavirus pandemic. According to MARINA, all STCW certificates expiring between September 1 and December 31, 2020 will be extended for a period of one year from the date of expiry without the need for filing for a renewal application. All Filipino seafarers, who are on board or ashore at the time of expiry of their certificates and are compliant with the provisions concerned, are eligible. MARINA also granted a one-year extension for expiring Seafarer’s Record Books (SRBs) and Seafarers Identification and Record Books (SIRBs). All SRBs and SIRBs of seafarers currently serving on board ships and ashore, which are expiring between March 13 to December 31, 2020, shall be extended for one year from the date of expiry without having to file for an application at the MARINA. However, the MARINA strongly encourages seafarers who are not currently onboard to renew their SIRBs/SRBs six months prior to the document’s expiration in order to avoid the expected influx of SIRB/SRB renewals next year. Seafarers may set an appointment for the expedited processing of their SIRB/SRB by logging on to https://sidsrb.marina.gov.ph or https://marinaoas.pisopay.com.ph. These extensions are in support of MARINA Board Resolution No. 2020-04-04 which states the country’s full support of the recognition of Filipino seafarers as “key workers” to ensure that ship crew changes can take place safely amid the COVID-19 pandemic. As key workers, MARINA recommends the smooth processing of the Filipino seafarers’ documentation, repatriation, and receipt of necessary assistance from the Philippine government during this crucial period. Source: marina.gov.ph
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