SENATOR Sherwin Gatchalian stressed the need for the Philippines to enhance the quality of maritime education and training to build seafarers’ competencies and improve their overall competitiveness.

“The challenge remains for the Philippines to ensure that our seafarers are globally competitive given their critical role and contribution to the economic growth of the country,” Gatchalian said.

He welcomed the decision of the European Union to continue recognizing the certificates of Filipino seafarers.

“I thank the European Commission for its continued recognition of Filipino seafarers’ certificates, and for acknowledging the country’s efforts to improve the training of seafarers,” Gatchalian said.

The senator added that the Magna Carta of Filipino Seafarers will be a significant step forward.

Senate Bill 822, which Gatchalian filed, seeks to protect Filipino seafarers beyond Philippine borders and build their competency through education and skills training to sustain and improve their overall competitiveness and professional advantage.

Under the measure, the State shall endeavor to improve the seafarers’ working conditions, terms and conditions of employment, and career prospects, and provide them opportunities to harness their potentials to the fullest.

The State shall also uplift the socio-economic well-being of the seafarers’ families.

The sea-based remittances in 2021 reached $6.54 billion, comprising at least 21 percent of the total dollar remittances of all Overseas Filipino Workers.