Helping Pinoy seafarers
EVERYBODY agrees that our seafarers, through their dollar remittances, play a stellar role in speeding up the socio-economic development of impoverished Philippines.
Many foreign ship owners prefer to employ Pinoy mariners, who are highly-trained and known worldwide for their sterling qualities – honest, loyal, dedicated and hard-working.
But thousands of these overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), including women, lost their high-paying jobs due to the paralyzing coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.
They were forced to return to return home, but many of these seafarers may now go back to their ships after getting jabs at the fully-airconditioned “Villar Tent” in Las Pinas City.
Managed by the family of Sen. Cynthia A. Villar and Rep. Camille A. Villar, the spacious “Villar Tent” is the only privately-owned venue used in the vaccination rollout for seamen.
“They can now return to their jobs and provide for the needs of their families,” said Senator Villar, a known staunch advocate of the millions of migrant Filipino workers.
The lady senator said, “we need to help the governmewnt in any way we can especially that we are in a pandemic,” adding “we are currently facing a very difficult battle.”
Like other well-meaning Filipinos, we share the view of Villar that coping with the pandemic should be the collective efforts of the government and the private sector.
Note that during the pandemic, the Villar family has been helping the government in meeting the many neeeds of the people, including the so-called frontliners.
Last August 26, the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) cited the Villars for their assistance in the vaccination of Filipino seafarers at the “Villar Tent” in Las Pinas City.
MARINA Administrator Vice Admiral Robert A. Empedrad handed plaques of recognition to Senator Villar and Congresswoman Villar.
