AMOSUP, PCG lead week-long National Maritime Week celebrations

Maritime Philippines celebrates this year’s “National Maritime Week”(NMW) on Sept. 20 to 27, with the theme, “Maritime Education and Training”, adopted after the International Maritime Organization (IMO) theme for 2015 IMO International Maritime Day to focus on the wider spectrum of adequacy, quality and competence of qualified human resources for a safe and secure shipping industry.

The Associated Marine Officers’ Union and Seamen’s Union of the Philippines (AMOSUP) and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) led the kick-off rites yesterday for the week-long event.

The PCG headed by commandant Admiral Rodolfo D. Isorena and Deputy Rear Admiral William M. Melad, led the “PCG rite of remembrance” with ecumenical service by the Apostleship of the Sea (AOS) at the PCG compound, Port Area, Manila.

Before the AMOSUP and PCG kickoff rites, a nationwide coastal cleanup – part of International Coastal Cleanup – was conducted on Sept. 19, covering Roxas Boulevard, Metro Manila; Davao, Cebu, Zamboanga, Cavite, Batangas, Bataan, Ilocandia and Bicolandia.

On Sept. 21, a nationwide blowing of ships’ horns, and ships’ dressing will be conducted at 8 am led by PCG, PPA, MARINA, CPA and PN. A press briefing and opening of NMW 2015 celebration will be conducted with PCG as host, being the lead agency in this year’s week-long event. The horn-blowing will be preceded by kick-off memorial parade led by United Filipino Seafarers from Luneta Seafarer’s Center of Luswelf going to Palacio de Manila, followed by the holding of the Fifth Philippine Seafarers

Congress at Palacio de Manila, hosted by UFS, LUSWELF/Ex-Link.

Also, the five-day WIMA Asia regional conference slated at Midas Hotel and Casino will be opened by Marina Administrator Dr. Maximo Q. Mejia, Jr. and WIMAPHIL President Carla S. Limcaoco, with DOTC Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya as guest of honor and speaker, and Angkla party list Rep. Jesulito Manalo as inspirational speaker.

On Sept. 27, the AOS leads the 20th National Seafarer’s Day (NSD) carrying a sub-theme. “Marinong Pilipino: Isulong Edukasyon at Pagsasanay’, will be celebrated on Sept. 27 at the Cuneta Astrodome in is NMWPasay City as the main venue. Former President Fidel V. Ramos will be the guest of honor and speaker. On that day, an NSD grand parade will be held, and winners in various NSD contests will be announced by OWWA Administrator Rebecca J. Calzado. At noon, the Western Union top ten maritime students be announced and honored in ceremonies graced by President Ramos, OWWA , MARINA and DOTC brass.

The NMW is celebrated by virtue of Presidential Proclamation No. 1094 series of 1997, to accord due recognition to the vital role of Filipino seafarers towards the development of the Philippines as a maritime country. It consolidated National Seafarer’s Day (NSD) and National Maritime Day (NMD) in NMW, making the celebration more significant and inspiring. By law (PP 1094 which amended PP 828 series of 1996), NSD is the last Sunday of September, while NMD (PP 866, series of 1996) is the last Friday of September of the year, respectively.