30/06/2020
The international maritime industry has gone through several uphills and downhills over the years. From these critical events, our entire industry has emerged wiser, more resilient, and more determined to face present and future challenges that will test yet again the wisdom, action and tenacity of our leaders and workers.
While it may have indeed caught the whole world flat-footed, totally unaware of the lightning-speed with which it has brought global activity to a halt, the Covid-19 pandemic has given rise to the proverbial patience, fortitude, resourcefulness, and, especially, trust in Divine Providence.
The sudden economic downturn has brought havoc to our social and economic landscape, subjecting our individual, national and global activities in a disarray. Still, our personal and collective strengths have enabled us to carry on with our lives, albeit in more calibrated, regulated or even disconcerting manners.
For a little while, we may have to live with face masks, conduct our daily affairs with physical distancing, manage our economic and social affairs through electronic media, and even develop new skills which we may have previously ignored or taken for granted. All these things may seem uncomfortable, annoying, even unwelcome, but our human spirits are always resilient, willing to adapt to the demanding needs of abnormal times.
And we are, indeed, living in a strange and cruel time. Cruise ships and cargo vessels have been forced to send home thousands of ship workers. Filipino seafarers, who contribute billions of dollars yearly to the Philippine treasury, have been required to undergo a 14-day quarantine period upon disembarking or landing in Manila. Thousands more of potential ship workers have been left stranded, waiting for their own uncertain turns to get onboard.
All throughout these events, there is no denying that seafarers, especially Filipino seafarers who comprise 25% of the global maritime workforce, are key workers. The global supply chain is enabled by merchant shipping, a relationship which has become highlighted more in the face of this pandemic. Protective equipment, testing kits, medical supplies, food and other necessities in this challenging period in human history are delivered worldwide by the shipping industry. Essential to this global delivery chain is a vibrant maritime complex, which is powered by competent and reliable seafarers, with Filipino seafarers forming a highly significant part. In fact, it is often said that the moment Filipino seafarers collectively decide not to go onboard, the entire shipping industry will experience a paralysis.
In light of the important role of Filipino seafarers in our national and global economies and their forced return by the thousands to the Philippines due to this pandemic, and as IMO Goodwill Maritime Ambassador, I prepared a Policy Paper, which was subsequently endorsed to the House of Representatives. The Policy Paper contains five workable recommendations:
1) Recognize seafarers as "essential workers";
2) Facilitate crew changes at designated ports in the Philippines;
3) Facilitate the unimpeded return and travel for redeployment of our seafarers;
4) Adopt quarantine and testing protocol;
5) Use OWW funds for quarantine and testing requirements.
We should remember how our seafarers serve and strengthen the global economy, widen and enliven the lives of millions of people, and broaden and brighten the minds and hearts of countless families all over the world. We should thank them for their service and sacrifice, as we all strive to make our communities and nations safe from the onslaught of the Covid-19 virus. We give our heartwarming salute to our seafarers, as we pray that we recover soon from this totally unwelcome intrusion in our lives.
