SENATOR Joel Villanueva urged the Commission on Higher Education and the Maritime Industry Authority to work together to ensure that maritime education, training and certification complies with the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers.

The senator also batted for the passage of Senate Bill 2369 or the Magna Carta for Filipino Seafarers.

Under the bill, the Department of Labor and Employment is mandated to ensure the protection of Filipino seafarers.

Villanueva warned that the European Union’s recognition for Filipino seafarers might be revoked if the STCW is not properly implemented in the country’s maritime education, training and certification systems.

Villanueva called on MARINA to save the seafarer sector from drowning due to adverse findings of the European Maritime Safety Agency from issues regarding the state of maritime higher education in the country.

Based on the EMSA Outlook for 2020, the Philippines leads non-EU countries with the most seafarer officers working in EU-flagged vessels, with a total of 30,615.

It’s possible for the Filipino seafarers to lose their jobs if recognition of Philippine-issued STCW certificates are removed.

“Our seafarers greatly contribute to our economy, especially during the pandemic. Let’s save this sector from drowning. Let’s keep our Filipino seafarers world class by following international standards,” Villanueva said.