...the Filipino seafarers

Importance of Filipino seafarers in international trade cited

Business Mirror
10 October 2019

LONDON—The Philippine Permanent Mission to the International Maritime Organization, led by Ambassador to the United Kingdom and the country’s Permanent Representative to the IMO Antonio M. Lagdameo, underscored the vital role played by Filipino seafarers in maintaining the safety, security, and progress of international seaborne trade, the global shipping industry, and the Philippine economy.

In his remarks at a luncheon hosted by the permanent mission at the IMO Headquarters, Lagdameo shed light on the theme of this year’s national day celebration, “Courage for the Nation, Compassion for the People.” It highlighted the values that President Duterte aims for every public servant to embody. He also mentioned Filipino seafarers exhibiting such values around the world.

The Maritime Safety Committee (MSC) of the IMO handles issues on maritime safety and security, covering both passenger ships and all kinds of cargo ships.  Part of its work includes updating the Safety of Life at Sea Convention and other related codes that deal with dangerous goods, life-saving equipment and fire-safety systems. The MSC also deals with amendments to the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, as well as those from Manila. DFA

...the Filipino workers in Aussie ship industries

Australian shipbuilding company recognizes Filipino workers

                                         

By Amorganda A. Saludar
Thursday 17th of January 2013

CEBU, Jan. 17 (PIA) -- A top-ranking official of an Australian-based global defence prime contractor has recognized the vital contribution of Filipino skilled workers in building world-class ships.

Austal Philippines Shipyard Operations President and General Manager Joey Turano commended the effort, skills and abilities of Filipino shipbuilders during the visit of Pres. Benigno S. Aquino III Wednesday at Austal's shipyard facility in Balamban, Cebu.

Austal is a global company that designs, constructs, and maintains revolutionary naval platforms.

It currently employs 250 Filipino workers along with 50 Australian staff after it started its Philippine operations at the West Cebu Industrial Park in Brgy. Arpili, Balamban, Cebu.

Turano, in his speech, said that within its 10-month operation here, the company was able to produce world-class ships through the combined effort and skills of Filipino and Australian shipbuilders.

“The impressive skills and experience of the people in Cebu is central to that potential,” he said.

“I would like to take this opportunity to recognize the great contribution of our Filipino staff and those who have joined us from Australia and elsewhere," he added.

He also said the Filipino shipbuilders are vital in the capability of the company to produce high quality and efficient ships.

“Working together, we have been able to successfully combine Austal’s superior technology with high quality, high efficient manufacturing capability to continue the Austal tradition of producing truly world class ships,” Turano declared.

He said the 250 Filipino workers at the Balamban facility were already employed with the company in Australia.

They were brought to Cebu when the operation in Balamban started.

Austal's shipyard operations here has recently completed its first ship, a highly advanced world-class trimaran design for the European wind farm market.

A trimaran is a multihulled boat consisting of a main hull and two smaller outrigger hulls.

Turano also ensured the Austal shipbuilders in Cebu that they will continue to be busy with work until at least the end of the year.

“Our next ship, which is well underway, is a car and passenger ferry which we believe will be the largest ferry ever built in the Philippines. Another three wind farm vessels will follow it, ensuring work for the shipyard until at least the end of this year,” he said.

Pres. Aquino, in response, told Austal officials that the Philippine government will continue to support the shipbuilding industry.

"I would also like to tell you that our administration will continue supporting your industry to make it easier for companies like you to build ships here," he said. (rmn/AYS/PIA-7)

...the ship repair hub

Philippines As Ship Repair Hub

 

November 25, 2012

Manila Bulletin

The Philippines is positioning to become the ship repair hub in the Asia-Pacific region for oceangoing merchant and fishing vessels taking advantage of its strategic location to the region’s shipping routes, but would require foreign direct investments to pursue this development. This was contained in a study on the ship building and ship repair industry of the Philippines conducted by the Japan International Cooperation Agency and the Nomura Research Institute as part of the ongoing formulation of industry roadmaps by the Department of Trade and Industry.   Based on the study, the Philippines has the right ingredients to become ship repair hub. Its strengths include an inland sea, bay and deep seashore, abundant labor and legalized fiscal incentives.


The study has also identified FDIs from Japan and Korea as most promising because shipbuilders from these countries are finally looking outward for expansion opportunities.   The shipbuilding industries in China, Japan and Korea are also reaching their maturity levels thus the need to develop new hubs outside of these countries.   The study has urged that the Philippine Investment Promotions Plan and MARINA to sell the Philippine strengths, provide possible locations with maritime data, and present opportunities to shipbuilders in China, Japan and Korea.


Based on its charter, MARINA has been tasked to adopt and implement a practicable and coordinated maritime development program, which shall include among others, the enhancement of domestic capability for shipbuilding and ship repair.


Conducting business matching between Philippine developers, shipbuilders and suppliers and shipbuilders was also urged for Japan, followed by Korea and China.


The domestic shipbuilding industry, however, faces some weaknesses including small and outdated local shipyards, little domestic demand and little support industries, the Nomura study said.


It is also facing global threats like the global shipbuilding recession and emerging maritime structure demands in other countries.   Based on the Nomura study, Chinese and Korean shipbuilders have increased completion of ships being built with China having the biggest share of 40 percent of total number of completed vessels while Korea is second with 34.6 percent share and Japan 18.1 percent. Together, these countries account for 99 percent of total global market.   The study further said that new orders for ships globally are in a downward trend after the shipbuilding bubble in 2007. The scenario points to global shipbuilding “recession” in the coming years.   To this date, there are 121 registered shipbuilding and repair facilities in the country. Of these facilities, 99 are classified as small, 14 are medium and 8 as small. The industry also employs 8,047 workers.   In the past, the output of shipbuilding industry was limited only to small ships, tankers, barges, fishing vessels but with the entry of new players like Tsuneishi Heavy Industries of Japan and Hanjin Shipyard of Korea, the Philippines is now ranked overall as the world’s fourth largest player in shipbuilding.


As of the first half of 2012, the Philippines ranked world’s fourth highest in terms of booked orders with China, Japan, Korea and Brazil in the top four.(BCM)

...the polvoron connection

Pitching Philippine tourism via ‘polvoron,’ mangoes

By Jocelyn R. Uy
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Thursday, July 26th, 2012

SEOUL—Don’t belittle the unpretentious “polvoron.”

Fashioned out of flour, powdered milk and sugar, it is one of the native Philippine delicacies, along with dried mangoes, offered in a one-stop shop set up on a street in this bustling South Korean capital to attract more Korean tourists to the Philippines.

On the shop’s glass window, an eye-catching poster greets passersby: “Outdoor cafés. More fun in the Philippines.”

Guests at the shop are offered mango juice or coffee and Filipino delicacies, such as dried mangoes and polvoron, while they browse through brochures detailing holiday packages to the Philippines.

The shop’s staff is a mix of Filipinos and Koreans.

The Department of Tourism on Saturday opened its first ever international one-stop shop and showroom to pump up the already growing tourist traffic from South Korea.

“Korea is our No. 1 market so it is only right that we set up our first ever showroom here,” Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez Jr. said at the opening.

He said the launch was a milestone for the Philippines, the first Asian country to have such a showcase in South Korea. “This is where the Philippines has many friends,” he told guests.

Present at the opening of the one-stop shop were Philippine Ambassador Luis Cruz, Korea’s Mode Tour president Hong Ki-jeong, Assistant Tourism Secretary Domingo Ramon Enerio III, tourism attaché Maricon Ebron and other VIPs. Representatives from airlines and tour operators also graced the event.

Nestled in Euljiro Jung-gu district, the showroom is flanked by hotels, banks, malls, the subway and historical spots, such as ancient royal palaces.

“This is a perfect place because this is a very busy area and there is a huge traffic of potential tourists coming from the subway station, the malls, restaurants, banks and offices,” Enerio said.

From its signage bearing the slogan “It’s More Fun in the Philippines,” down to its brightly decorated glass windows, the showroom is eye-candy amid a tangle of concrete and steel.

Its interior showcases Filipino culture: The walls are painted bright yellow and orange and the shelves are arrayed with colorful picture frames made from indigenous materials, porcelain dolls dressed in the traditional baro’t saya and books on fiestas, ancestral weaving, Jose Rizal, birdwatching, golfing and cookbooks.

A flat screen on the main wall plays videos of the Philippines’ white, sandy beaches, blue waters and other tourist destinations. Two huge posters showing Bohol’s tarsiers and festival costumes also embellished the walls.

Hundreds of brochures feature prime destinations—Boracay, Bohol, Cebu, Manila, Davao, Subic and Clark. Tour packages offered by Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific and Zest Air are on hand.

“This is a one-stop shop for your travel plans … you can book your travels here,” Ebron said. “There is free coffee and mango juice every time you visit us.”

...the boat builder's paradise

Australian boat builder transfers manufacturing center to PH

By: Paolo G. Montecillo
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Thursday, July 26th, 2012

 

Australian military and commercial boat builder Austal has chosen the Philippines as the future center of its global manufacturing operations, taking advantage of competitive labor costs that do not sacrifice the quality of work.

The company, which leads globally in the production of high-speed catamarans, said it would soon start exporting state-of-the-art vessels out of its newly acquired facility in Balamban, Cebu.

“It has become uncompetitive for us to build these ships in Australia. It’s our intention to systematically and progressively transfer the technology from Australia into the Philippines so it is our center of excellence for all things commercial,” Austal CEO Andrew Bellamy said in a recent interview.

The Balamban shipyard is the company’s third location.

“We chose the Philippines because of its high level of growth, the English-speaking population that has the right skill set and work ethic, and the country’s location is also an obvious take-off point for our Asian-centric expansion,” Bellamy said.

The company’s oldest facility is in Perth, Australia, where the bulk of commercial vessels are made.

Among the notable ships the company has delivered are the passenger ferries used for trips between the Chinese cities of Macau and Hong Kong.

The company also has car and passenger vessels operating inter-island routes in Greece.

Austal’s second location is in Mobile, Alabama, by the Gulf of Mexico. The United States shipyard focuses on ships for defense. The company has been building warships for the US Navy since 2006.

The company specializes in catamarans and “trimarans,” which have several thin hulls that are able to cope with rough sea conditions.

The company has about 200 employees working in Balamban, with a firm plan to hire 150 more people.

Being built in Balamban today is a 27-meter three-hull trimaran—the first of its kind Austal has ever built—that will be used by wind-farm operators in Europe.

Bellamy said the Balamban facility, which the company bought from the Aboitiz group for $8 million last year, could end up employing thousands of employees, if demand stays strong.

“This is about building a long-term manufacturing capability in the Philippines that will be industry-leading and sustainable,” Bellamy said.

...the Blue Ridge's Best Sailor

Best sailor on US command ship is Pinoy

VERONICA VELARDE-PULUMBARIT

GMA News

March 26, 2012

 

 

The best sailor on the USS Blue Ridge — the "finest flagship" of the United States — is a Filipino, one of the ship's ranking officials said.

LtJG Clinton Beaird, Public Affairs Officer, said of Filipino Senior Chief Petty Officer Ed Agustin: "He’s the best sailor that we have on board." 

The USS Blue Ridge is the US Navy's most technologically advanced ship. It is the permanent flagship of "Commander," the navy's Seventh Fleet. 

During Operations "Desert Storm" and "Desert Shield" in the 1990s, the USS Blue Ridge served as the flagship for the Commander of the US Naval Forces Central Command. 

Beaird said Agustin, 47, was one of some 76 Filipinos serving on the USS Blue Ridge. The Filipinos represent some 12 percent of the ship's nearly 1,000 crew.

Asked by GMA News Online why he was considered as the "best sailor" of USS Blue Ridge, Agustin said, "Dito sa military, nag-eexcel ang mga Pilipino. Kasi karamihan ang mga nagjo-join sa Navy sa US bata pa, 17 or 18 years old. Tayo, [mga Pilipino], nagjo-join mga 24 [years old] na, mature na, mas dedicated na sa trabaho."

Agustin, one of the ship's sailors who were recruited from Subic Bay in the Philippines, said he was in charge of the ship's maintenance.

He was born and raised in the Philippines. His family is from Balagtas, Bulacan, and he studied at the University of the East.

He said the last time he came home to the Philippines was "two or three years ago. Exciting. I was looking forward to sinangag, diniguan, papaitan."
 

Asked what he liked about working for the US Navy, Agustin said, "Yung retirement is guaranteed. After 20 years makakapag-retire na ako. Wala kang makikitang trabaho na after 20 years pwede ka nang mag-retire. Pwede kang umuwi ng Pilipinas."

Manila: 'A favorite port of sailors'

Captain Daniel Grieco, who assumed command of the USS Blue Ridge in May last year, said: "Manila has long been a favorite port visit for sailors. This visit provides our sailors the opportunity to appreciate  the unique Philippine culture and to experience the sights and sounds of this busy international city."

A decorated officer, Grieco holds master's degrees in Business Administration (from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University) and National Security Affairs and Strategic Studies (from the US Naval War College).

Captain Derek Rey, who was born and raised in the US but whose parents are both Filipinos, said he was looking forward not only to visiting places such as Intramuros or Corregidor but also tasting Pinoy food. 

"I like nilaga, pancit, lumpia — anything you have in birthday parties," Rey said. 

Rey said he told his colleagues at the USS Blue Ridge that "the values of the Filipinos are
very much aligned with the Navy and Marine Corps."

"They [Filipinos] value honor, courage, and commitment and hard work. Those are the values that we embody and the military as well," Rey said.

He thinks his colleagues would "feel right at home in the Philippines."
 
IT seaman Jen Romnick Escano, a satellite communications operator, was also born and raised in the US to Filipino parents. "My mom is Caviteño but my dad is from Pangasinan."

Escano said "it feels great being able to come to the mother country. It’s nice to come back to the mother country."

He said the last time he was in the Philippines he was "too young." Now he feels he can appreciate the country and its culture even more. "I can’t wait to have balut. A lot of my friends are afraid of balut but I'm not," he said.
 

All in the "Navie"
 
Meanwhile, a junior officer, Ensign Maria Josefa Veloria, 25, enlisted in the US Navy as a Logistics Specialist after graduating from the Recruit Training Command in Great Lakes, Illinois.

A daughter of Brig. Gen. Mariano Veloria, Maryjo — Pepay to her family and friends — ranked first out of 800 sailors in Military Excellence.

A member of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Class 1979, Gen. Veloria is now the commander of the 53rd Engineering Brigade of the Philippine Army.

Maryjo said out of six siblings, four of them are in the US Navy. The eldest child in the family, Maryjo said she has been with the US Navy for five years now.

She has visited 34 countries and Dubai was the place she liked best. "Iba po talaga siya sa mga napuntahan ko," Maryjo said.

Her mom Navie, who welcomed her at the Manila South Harbor with her dad, said she was the first "Navie" member of the family.

In jest, their mom said all of her four children followed in her footsteps and chose to become Navy personnel and not an Army man like their father.
 
First cousin of Migz Zubiri

Meanwhile, Gunnery sergeant Elwin Zubiri, 31, a first cousin of former Senator Miguel "Migz" Zubiri, said his job was to be a "liaison between the Navy and the Marine corps."

He said he was the only Filipino marine officer on board the USS Blue Ridge.

Zubiri said he feels a little nervous whenever he hears negative news about the Philippines or its neighboring countries.
 

"There’s still a little bit of, you know, a little bit of nervousness. You’ve got family here, what’s gonna happen?" Zubiri said.

Fast facts about the USS Blue Ridge

• There are approximately 650 Blue Ridge sailors, 350 US 7th Fleet staff embarked, and up to 450 more personnel during exercises aboard USS Blue Ridge.

• Command ship USS Blue Ridge has two commands aboard: the embarked 7th Fleet staff members and Blue Ridge crew. The 7th Fleet staff commands and controls ships and the other units assigned to 7th Fleet region. 

• The USS Blue Ridge was commissioned in 1970. First stationed in San Diego from 1970 to 1979, Blue Ridge was deployed to Yokosuka, Japan in 1979.

• USS Blue Ridge is referenced as LCC-19 (meaning Amphibious Command and Control ship number 19).

• The entire 7th Fleet can be coordinated in real-time using the advanced array communications systems aboard Blue Ridge.

• The 7th Fleet’s area of responsibility encompasses more than 48 million square miles - from the Kuril Islands in the north to the Antarctic in the south, and from the International Date Line to the 68th meridian east, which runs down from the India-Pakistan border.

• The area includes 35 maritime countries and the world’s five largest foreign armed forces. Five of the seven U.S. Mutual Defense Treaties are with countries in the area; Republic of the Philippines, Australia and New Zealand, Republic of Korea, Japan, and Thailand. Half of the world’s population lives within the 7th Fleet area of responsibility.

• At any given time, there are more than 60 ships, 200 aircraft and 40,000 Navy and Marine Corps personnel assigned to the 7th Fleet.

- KBK, GMA News