by Jose “Pepe” Abueva

This is “because of their outstanding qualities: technical knowledge, flexibility, reliability, trustworthiness, hard work, and their command of the English language.” Seafarers’ Day: PH is world’s manning capital. PH seafarers: Fast facts in numbers.” Philippine Daily Inquirer. June 25, 2015.

Here are the facts in numbers from the same published source. 30%. Percentage of Filipino seafarers out of the more than 1.2 million mariners in the world, making the Philippines the manning capital of the world. 86,636. Filipino maritime officers overseas in 2013, according to the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA), making us the top supplier of maritime officers in the world. 100. Maritime academies in the Philippines which produce some 40,000 seafarers each year, according to a 2011 United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (Unctad) report.

421. 421. Licensed crewing agents in the Philippines, according to the same Unctad report. $1.9 B. Amount of remittances in dollars sent in by sea-based Filipino workers in January to April 2015, up by 5.6 percent from $1.8 billion during the same period in 2014. $5.6 B. Amount of remittances in dollars sent in by sea-based Filipin workers in 2014, up from $5.2 billion in 2013.

107,313. Number of deployed Filipino seafarers working as able seamen, oiler, and ordinary seamen, the positions occupied by most Filipinos overseas. $400 to $3,000. Range of monthly salary of Filipino seafarers, according to a 2011 study by the Institute of Labor Studies. 2012. Year the country became the 30^th member state of the International Labor Organization to ratify the Maritime Labour Convention of 2006, or the international seafarers’ bill of rights. 80%. Percentage share of the seafarers monthly basic pay with back wages to be sent to his chosen recipient under a POEA memorandum.

367,166. Number of deployed sea-based Filipino workers in 2013, according to POEA. 11. Number of bills that have been filed in the Senate (5 in the House of Represeentatives ) for the promotion and further protection of rights of Filipino seafarers, which includes Magna Carta of Filipino Seafarers, Death Benefits for Seafarers Act, Pilipinong Marino Act, and others. 69,297.

Number of deployed Filipino seafarers working in Panama-registered vessels, whre the most number of Filipino seafarers are employed in 2013, according to POEA.

Remembering Boholano Admiral Tomas Cloma. Father of Maritime Education in the Philippines and Discover of Freedomland/Kalayaan Islands. Admiral Cloma’s Philippine Maritime Institute/Colleges has turned out several thousands of seamen who navigate the world’s seas and oceans.

As discover of Kalayaan Islands in the West Philippine Sea with his brothers, his original claim to the islands and seas around them was the basis of the Philippines’ own claim over them.

Behind these two notable achievements is Admiral Cloma’s interesting, inspiring, and instructive life story, or biography. Published in 1999 by the U.P. Center for Leadership, Citizenship and Democracy, the authors of the book are Jose V. Abueva, Arnold P. Alamon, and Ma.Oliva Z. Domingo.

A Tribute to Our Filipino Seafarers. Mabuhay ang mga Marinong Pilipino! This tribute was made by several maritime companies on June 25, 2015, International Day of the Seafarer. And was published in the Philippine Daily Inquirer on May 25, 2015.

“We pay tribute to the over 800,000 Filipino global Maritime Professionals whose hared work and sacrifice have greatly contributed to the welfare of close to five million of their family members and dependents, as well as to our national economy.

“We honor each and every seafarer—the cornerstone of an industry that moves 90 percent of world trade. Over the years, our seafarers have largely contributed to the socio-economic development of our nation, with their ever growing annual dollar remittances, which for 2014 alone was estimated by the Bangko Central ng Pilipinas at $5.6 Billion. They have continued to be a pillar of financial stability for the country, helping provide employment to other Filipinos in ancillary services that support the seafaring industry.

“We commend our Filipino seafarers whose efficiency, resiliency, and competency continually make them the seafarer of choice worldwide. Indeed they are our country’s source of pride, as they are a living testament to the Filipinos’ dedication to duty and commitment to excellence.

“We extend our heartfelt thanks to the Philippine Government for their recognition of, and  support for the maritime industry which plays a vital role in the socio-economic progress of our country.

“We would also like to thank ANGKLA Party-List, represented by Congressman Jesulito A. Manalo, for its successful enactment of R.A. 10635 which gurantees the protection of jobs for our Filipino seafarers.

“Finally, as a way of giving back to our Filipino Global Maritime Professionals for their contribution to the country, we implore all the stakeholders of the maritime industry, to continue supporting our seafarers and to help in the strift and proper implementation of laws and policies for their full protection.”

Bol-anons as a seafaring people are among the most numerous Filipino seafarers in the world! Mabuhay ang mga Bol-anong marino!