25th National Maritime Week kicks off, centers on safety

THE 25th National Maritime Week (NMW) officially kicked off last Sunday, September 22, as ships berthed all over the country simultaneously sounded their horns to mark the beginning of a week-long celebration that honors Filipino seafarers.

With this year's celebration anchored on safety with a theme «Marinong Filipino: Ligtas na Paglalayag!» the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) expressed its commitment to instill the culture of safety in maritime organizations.

«As we embark on this journey together, let us remember that safety is not just a priority — it is a culture. It is our duty to instill this culture within our organizations, ensuring that every seafarer returns home safely after each voyage. This commitment to safety will not only safeguard lives but also inspire the next generation of maritime professionals,» PCG Commandant Adm. Ronnie Gil Gavan said.

Gavan recognized the contributions of maritime stakeholders in raising the bar for maritime safety standards within the shipping industry.

The NMW 2024 is hosted by the Philippine Coast Guard.

Gavan led the NMW's opening ceremony at the Philippine Coast Guard Headquarters in Port Area, Manila, which paid tribute to seafarers for their hard work and dedication to their profession.

An Ecumenical Memorial at Sea Service was held last Sunday, September 22, to honor the seafarers who died while on duty. This was followed by the blowing of horns and the dressing up of ships.

The wreath-laying ceremony was led by Gavan and attended by Assistant Secretary for Sea-based OFW Concerns Jerome Pampolina, Stella Maris Manila Port chaplain Fr. Paulo Prigol, and PPA Port Police Department Manager Genaro Mancio Jr., among others.

The DMW also hosted the «Disenteng Trabaho para sa mga Marinong Filipinos» job fair last Sunday at the SMX Convention Center, Mall of Asia, in Pasay City.

The job fair was participated by 35 licensed manning agencies and offered more than 3,000 employment opportunities in the maritime sector.

The local maritime community has also set the stage for week-long activities that recognize Filipino seafarers' hard work and dedication and showcase the maritime industry's important contribution to