MOBILIZING SUPPORT FOR PHILIPPINE CRUISE TOURISM AND MARITIME CAREERS

THE Philippine Cruise Tourism and Maritime Careers Convention was held last June 11 and 12, 2024. Timed during the celebration of the country's independence, convenors of the convention led by the WMOC Group of Companies emphasized the advocacy of rekindling nationalism by strengthening cooperation between and among government agencies and industry stakeholders with an interest in promoting and developing cruise shipping and growing maritime talents.

Driven by the desire to draw attention to the country's impressive and breathtaking tourism attractions and the huge Filipino workforce, and prompted by the declaration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. of advancing tourism and generating jobs, the convention aimed to unveil and advertise the readiness of the Philippines to be a prominent cruise destination.

Sen. Cynthia Villar, who graced the opening ceremony and kicked off the maritime careers exhibit, extolled the zeal and inspiring initiative of the convenors in putting together the subjects of cruise tourism and seafaring and related maritime undertaking. She cited the contribution of Filipino seafarers through their huge foreign exchange remittances, which helped keep the country's economy afloat.

The sessions allowed government agencies to articulate the improved and streamlined systems and processes that facilitate the ship/port interface. Agencies such as the Bureau of Customs (BoC), the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA), the Bureau of Quarantine (BOQ), and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), all of which provide essential services to cruise ships actively participated. The sessions allowed extensive exchanges of views and insights on the challenges that confront cruise shipping operators calling on Philippine ports and how the government can further review and address the stakeholders' concerns.

The presence of Undersecretary for Maritime Affairs Elmer Sarmiento of the Department of Transportation (DOTr) was an emphatic attestation of the support of no less the Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista, who earlier enjoined wider participation in the convention. The active participation of the attached agencies of the DOTr, i.e., the Maritime Industry Authority, PPA and PCG, demonstrate the resolve to fulfill the Presidential directive on a whole-of-government approach in promoting tourism and consequent to that of creating jobs.

Fidelity to the tasks entrusted to them through efforts to attract more tourists to visit the Philippines by disseminating the information that cruise operators need to know and understand, although seemingly insignificant compared to the big-budget tourism advertisements, is, in essence, an expression of nationalism, as important as those taken by Philippine citizens in protecting the West Philippine Sea.

The Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE) was bullish on the employment prospects in cruise tourism as the agency embarked on an aggressive workforce development for the digital economy. DoLE's Philippine Labor Development Plan 2023-2028, anchored on the Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028 and the Trabaho sa Bayan Act, serves as the primary guide in shaping the future workforce. Not to be left out are the local government units representing the country's premier tourist destinations, such as Boracay, Vigan Ilocos Sur, and Coron, Palawan, which flaunted the impressive pageantry that cruisers and tourists must see and experience.

One of the highlights of the convention was the presentation of international cruise operators on the increased demand for crew and seafarers onboard cruise ships, not only in navigation but, more importantly, in the hotel and entertainment departments.

The Philippine Transmarine Corp. (PTC) confirmed that Filipinos are generally preferred as shipboard crew; however, with the surge of other nationalities entering the seafaring sector, there is a need for continuing programs of re-skilling and upgrading for the Filipino to remain competitive in the world seafaring market. Representatives of Ben Line Agencies rolled out the various services offered to cruise shipping and other maritime and logistics ventures tendered through a wide regional network.

Capping off the closing sessions were those of the Archipelago Philippine Ferries Corporation, which connects the many islands of the countries through its banner brand "FastCat," and that of the Philippine Association of Maritime Institutions (PAMI) which underscored the vital role of education and training incapacitating the country's workforce ready for maritime profession and careers.

2024-07-02T16:17:31Z dg43tfdfdgfd