21/05/2021
https://www.facebook.com/2037200316546664/posts/2841956832737671/
READ: "MARINA PREPARES FOR STRONG DEMAND FOR FILIPINO SEAFARERS"
The Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) his expecting a strong demand overseas for Filipino seafarers in the “next few weeks or within a month” due to the spread of the new more contagious Covid variant originally found in India.
“We expect the skyrocketing of deployment of Filipino seafarers because of what’s happening in India kasi marami ring seafarers ang India,” MARINA Administrator VAdm. Robert Empedrad told the recent episode of Maritime Viewpoints.
Although the number of new Covid cases in India has been slowing down, posting below the 300,000 level in the last seven days, it reported record level number of deaths in a day at over 4,500 on Tuesday. Moreover, the new India variant has reportedly spread in neighboring countries.
“It is an opportunity for us, of course, we are praying India will overcome this problem nila sa bagong variant, but this is an opportunity (for the Philippines),” VAdm. Empedrad said.
Hence, he said, MARINA’s workforce specifically in the STCW Office is preparing in the event of a significant rise in the number of seafarers’ applications for required certificates.
“I think the demand for Filipino seafarers is growing, kaya nga ina-anticipate namin ito. Our personnel might go on overtime to cater to the certificates of seafarers, who are due for deployment, which I believe the demand will increase within the next few weeks or within a month.”
For this reason, too, the MARINA chief is rushing the guidelines being drafted by the Administration in collaboration with leaders of the crewing community for the seafarers’ vaccination program.
“Of course, we will prioritize those going out for deployment, but kung may extra, because the vaccine is limited, kung may sobra we will vaccinate those arriving seafarers. Magandang ma-vaccinate mo na yung arriving para bago sila umalis makukuha na nila yung second dose nila,” explained the MARINA Administrator.
