Filipino seafarers
JAPANESE shipping firms have pledged to continue hiring Filipino seafarers, described by many as one of the best mariners in the world, to man their ocean-going vessels.
Admittedly, Filipinos, who speak fluent English, are among the most sought after seamen owing to their sterling qualities – honest, patient, loyal, highly-trained and hard-working.
Given by Japanese shipping executives themselves to visiting President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr., the pledge drew cheers from the country’s seafarers.
President Marcos is in the “Land of the Rising Sun” for a five-day working visit, which started last Wednesday (February 8), to revitalize Manila’s partnership with Tokyo.
It is heartening to know that Tokyo acknowledged that our mariners, men and women, are essential to Japan’s maritime industry.
At the same time, the Japanese shipping executives commended the visiting Filipino Chief Executive for his efforts to further improve the quality of the county’s mariners.
Junichiro Ikeda, president of the Japanese Shipowners’ Association, hoped that the “steady supply of … well-trained Filipino seafarers to work alongside us will continue.”
Records show that Filipinos account for about 75 percent of the crew of Japanese ocean-going vessels in the last 10 years.
For his part, President Marcos assured the Japanese that his government would continue to work closelty with them to ensure a steady pool of highly-skilled Filipino seafarers.
Doubtless, the Philippine government deserves the all-out support of the people as it tries to maintain its standing as one of the world’s major exporters of quality seafarers.
