Sen. Grace Poe's interpellation on MARINA bill

ONE-STOP SHOP CENTER FOR SEAFARERS

Mr. President, I am fully supportive of the bill because its enactment will ensure our country's compliance with the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers.

This legislation is particularly significant considering that the Philippines is the most important source of seafarers in the global shipping and in the transport market. The Filipino seafarers are often recruited to man tankers and sea vessels including those highly reputable manning companies from Denmark, Japan, Greece, Jamaica, Malta, Singapore and Germany. Accordingly, 27 percent of the 1.67 million mariners worldwide are Filipinos, the single biggest nationality bloc in the shipping industry.

I just have two concerns which I want the sponsor of the measure to place on record dahil po magiging importante ito sa sektor at sa ating mga kababayan.

What would be the implication of this bill with regard to graduating students and graduates of the maritime course? Will this simplify the procedure for a licensed mariner or seaman? Will it shorten the requirements for applicants as Filipino seafarers? Is it possible to create one-stop shop centers for documents required by a seafarer like SOLAS or Safety of Life at Sea, TIN, SSS, their police clearances, etc.? Naitanong ko po ito dahilan sa marami po sa ating mga kababayan ay confused kung saang ahensiya pupunta para kumuha ng mga dokumento.

Sa kasalukuyan po bang Maritime Industry Board, may mga seafarers na represented or may miyembro po ba sa board na ang pangunahing interes ay kapakanan ng kanyang kapwa na nagtatrabaho sa barko o maritime industry mismo? Sa proposed measure, are the seafarers represented in the Board?

I fully support this measure...Our maritime presence, particularly our workers in the maritime industry, should be given recognition. I am confident that with this bill, we will be able to do just that.