10/2016 Volume 12 Issue 9Official eBulletin of the PTC Group

First Ever National Maritime Quiz Bee Champs NamedAfter a year-long nationwide search, maritime party ANGKLA and co-presenter Philippine Transmarine Carriers, Inc. (PTC) crowned the country’s best and brightest cadets at the National Finals of the Anchor for Excellence National Maritime Quiz Bee held last September 30 at the Malayan Colleges of Laguna (MCL) in Cabuyao. Emerging as the first ever Anchor for Excellence champion was John B. Lacson Colleges Foundation (Bacolod) who won a special endorsement for Shipboard Training. Sharing 1st Runner Up honors were John B. Lacson Foundation Maritime University (Molo) and St. Therese - MTC College (Magdalo Site). Baliwag Maritime Academy was named 2nd Runner Up.

A total of 14 maritime schools from all over the country faced off at the finals of the first ever nationwide quiz bee of its kind in the Philippines. The participating teams initially had to pass grueling preliminary and regional rounds held across the country from October 2015 through February of this year, before qualifying to represent their schools and respective provinces at the national finals held in conjunction with National Maritime Week 2016. The national finals was also supported by other maritime organizations, training institutions and allied service companies.

“ANGKLA has always believed in strengthening the professionalism and competency of our people in the seafaring industry. And, in order to achieve this, we start with a good foundation through quality education and training of our students,” said Cong. Jesulito A. Manalo of ANGKLA during his opening remarks to the students. “This event is yet another way of highlighting the value we give to education. It is both a test and a celebration of all our students’ wit, talents, and abilities. It is also a coming together of the best and the brightest youth of the Philippine maritime industry who will someday soon get on board domestic and international fleets in the different parts of the globe, and make this country ever proud.”. Other finalists included Asian Institute of Maritime Studies (Pasay City), Our Lady of Fatima University (Valenzuela City), Mariners Polytechnic Colleges Foundation – Baras (Camarines Sur), University of Northeastern Philippines Camarines Sur (Iriga City), Bicol Merchant Marine College Inc. (Sorsogon), Mapúa-PTC College of Maritime Education and Training (CMET)-Malayan Colleges Laguna, Midway Maritime Foundation (Nueva Ecija), Philippine College of Science and Technology (Pangasinan), Northwestern University (Laoag City) and Salazar University (Cebu). In his congratulatory remarks to the winners, Capt. Ronald Enrile, PTC Senior Executive Director for Government Affairs in Maritime and Sectoral Representation, commended all the participating students not only for their display of academic proficiency but more importantly, for exercising critical thinking and conviction in analyzing the questions and defending their answers. He advised the students to apply these qualities onboard and to consistently hone their skills and knowledge through continuous learning and training.

On the eve of the quiz bee, the students enjoyed a welcome dinner specially prepared for them at Gerry’s Grill Nuvali in Sta. Rosa, Laguna on September 29. They also had the opportunity to get to know their fellow maritime students during MCL’s Mapua-PTC CMET Night where they were treated to exciting performances by talented CMET students and special guest band Silent Sanctuary. The following day, the students participated in the beta testing of the Full Alert gaming app at the Technopark Hotel in Sta. Rosa, Laguna.

PTC Gets Ready to Respond with Project NoahAs part of the company’s disaster resiliency program, PTC launched Project Noah at a disaster preparedness workshop conducted last September 24 at the Legaspi Room of First Maritime Place. Project NOAH or Nationwide Operational Assessment of Hazards is the country’s primary disaster risk reduction and management program under the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) which puts into place a more accurate, integrated and responsive disaster prevention and mitigation system, especially in high-risk areas across the Philippines. PTC hopes to be one of the prime movers of the project by harnessing the skills and capabilities of its very own global maritime professionals (GMP) and their families, as well as PTC employees, for them to respond accurately, reliably and expediently in emergencies and, more importantly, be instrumental in preventing and mitigating disasters and hazards.

Speaking at the workshop were Ms. Analiza Solis, PAGASA Weather Specialist; Dr. Cedric Daep, Public Safety and Emergency Management Officer of the Albay Public Safety and Emergency Management Office (APSEMO); and Mr. Abundio Nunez, Operations Officer of APSEMO; who gave a brief overview of the various hazards in the country along with the corresponding countermeasures for hydro meteorological, geological and seismological risks. In the afternoon, discussions focused on the country’s Disaster Risk Reduction Management (DRRM) policy and its upcoming projects and activities. Mr. Leslie Suntay of the PTC Business Development Group facilitated the workshop attended by representatives from Building Administration, Security, Business Process Control and Compliance, Recruitment and Training, Family Crew Relations, and Marketing Communications, as well as, PTC GMPs and allottees from Northern Marine Management and Seaspan.

PTC Celebrates National Maritime Week PTC joined the Philippine maritime industry as it observed National Maritime Week (NMW) 2016 last September 25 through September 30. This year’s nationwide celebration was hinged on the theme “Shipping: Indispensable to the World,” coined by the International Maritime Organization (IMO), and was headed by the Philippine Ports Authority. The National Maritime Week is commemorated by virtue of Proclamation No. 1094, consolidating the celebration of the National Seafarers Day (NSD), National Maritime Day (NMD) and the National Maritime Week (NMW), making the occasion more significant and meaningful. As part of the festivities, PTC’s Family Crew Relations (FCR) prepared a host of special treats for the company’s very own global maritime professionals and their families including a special NMW photo booth. A social media campaign was organized in support of the activity where employees and GMPs uploaded their photo booth pictures on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter with the hashtag #PTCCelebratesNationalMaritimeWeek. Special gift items, including a brand new action camera, were raffled off courtesy of Eastwest Healthcare, SMART World MARINO and FCR.

Philippine Maritime Stakeholders Craft Roadmap for Blue PhilippinesKey stakeholders of the Philippine maritime industry convened to discuss the formulation of a roadmap as an input to the new administration’s socio-economic agenda. The gathering was held last September 26 at the Makati Diamond Residences. Representatives from key associations and organizations of the Philippine maritime industry including the Philippine Inter-Island Shipping Association (PISA), Filipino Shipowners Association (FSA), Joint Manning Group (JMG), Filipino Association for Mariner’s Employment (FAME), Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers (SONAME), Philippine Association of Maritime Institutions (PAMI), Philippine Association of Maritime Training Center Inc. (PAMTCI), Associated Marine Officers’ and Seamen’s Union of the Philippines (AMOSUP), European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (ECCP), Tsuneishi Shipbuilding, Keppel Batangas Shipyard and Philippine Iron Construction and Marine Works attended the landmark meeting. The discussion centered on the framework to be developed by the industry to address President Rodrigo Duterte’s agenda for Blue Philippines

which covers the use of the sea and its resources for sustainable development, as well as, economic activity in the maritime sector.

The PTC Group Organization on the MoveThe PTC Group is pleased to announce the following strategic appointments of key executives, effective September 1, 2016, as part of the organization’s continuing efforts to expand its presence across the different markets and publics that it serves. Mr. Edgar Milla - Chief Operating Officer of PTC; Capt. Ronald Enrile - Senior Executive Director for Government Affairs in Maritime and Sectoral Representation; Capt. Stan Santiago - Vice President for Crewing Operations; and Capt. Pol Haboc - Assistant Vice President - Cargo Division. Mr. Jaime de Sequera - Chief Commercial Officer (CCO) at PTC Holdings; and Mr. Rick Hawkins as Chief Technology Officer. These movements are in line with the PTC Group’s three-year Organizational Transformation and Development (OTD) Program, expected to further drive a broad range of organizational initiatives as the Group continues to “move the world in more ways than one” with “all hands on deck.”

PTC Signals Its Support for Sailors’ Society In celebration of World Maritime Day last September 29, employees of the PTC Group showcased their support for the world’s 1.5 million seafarers by participating in Sailors’ Society’s social media campaign. To show their appreciation for merchant marine professionals and raise awareness on the lives of seafarers worldwide, employees posed for photos showcasing the hashtag #SignalYourSupport which was uploaded on PTC’s official Twitter account. A donation to Sailors’ Society was also made in support of the work that they do in looking after seafarers all over the world. Sailors’ Society is an inter-denominational Christian organization providing a wide spectrum of support services – chaplaincy, spiritual guidance and counsel, provision of welfare support to seafarers and their families, assistance with continuing maritime education and, in certain cases, financial help.

Bayanan Baseball Teams Gear Up for Tournaments with New EquipmentThe PTC-CSJ Foundation recently turned over new baseball equipment to six Bayanan teams in the Coach Pitch, Minors and Majors divisions.Since 2010, the teams have been supported by the Foundation’s Growing Good to Great Kids or 3G Program which includes sports development through baseball, as well as nutrition enhancement for malnourished pupils, learning enrichment in arts and reading, and training for teachers and parents. The new baseball equipment included mitts and leather and compression balls, and were turned over by PTC-CSJ’s Program Coordinator, Ms. Annie Japsay, to the Foundation’s partners – the Junior Baseball Softball Foundation of the Philippines (JBSFP) and Batang Munti Foundation (BMF) representatives Michelle Sison and Angel Lee Tribujenia. Through the 3G Program, Bayanan’s baseball teams undergo regular weekly practice sessions with JBSFP/BMF coaches and participate in four tournaments every year. This year, they competed in the Brother Ceci Cup, the Greenfield Summer Classic, the Philippine Series and the Southern Classic.

LifeLinks Opens Career Opportunities for Healthcare ProfessionalsLifeLinks International Resources Inc. has announced several exciting career opportunities for healthcare professionals wishing to work in the United Kingdom and the Middle East.

For the Middle East, LifeLinks has professional placement opportunities for physiotherapists, respiratory therapists, midwives, respiratory aides, lab technicians, MRI technicians, CSSD technicians/aide, dentists/dental hygienists, dental assistants and dental lab technicians. Meanwhile, registered nurses are being recruited for employment at the East and North Hertfordshire NHS Trust in England which currently runs four hospitals, namely Lister Hospital (Stevenage), Mount Vernon Cancer Centre, Queen Elizabeth II Hospital and Hertford County Hospital. An open house recruitment activity was held last October 15 and 22 where applicants who passed the preliminary assessment were immediately lined up for an interview with the Principal on the same day. Interested applicants may visit www.facebook.com/LifeLinksPH

to preregister for the assessment. They may also send their resumes to myjob@lifelinks.com.ph and visit www.lifelinks.com.ph for more details.

WIMAPHIL Goes Entrepreneur-shipIn celebration of the 21st National Seafarers’ Day, Women in Maritime Philippines (WIMAPHIL)-NCR conducted an exhibit cum fair designed to encourage the entrepreneurial spirit of seafarers and their families. The event was held last September 28 at the Seafarer’s Center of SM Manila and showcased various products and services from women in maritime who have also successfully ventured into entrepreneurship. The exhibit was co-organized by Harborscope and presented in partnership with the Philippine Ports Authority.

Capt. Enrile at ANC’s On the MoneyPTC’s Capt. Ronald Enrile, Senior Executive Director for Government Affairs in Maritime and Sectoral Representation, appeared as a resource person on the September 7 & 8 episodes of ANC’s “On the Money.” The discussion revolved around how seafarers and their families could map

out a financial plan to ensure long-term security, protection from investment scams, and the maritime industry’s impact on the Philippine economy.

CTI Recognized at Sabre APAC TTXConstellation Travels, Inc. (CTI) was honored with the Top Country Agency Award 2016 (Philippines) during Sabre’s inaugural Asia Pacific Travel Technology Exchange (TTX) held last September 21 to 24 at the JW Marriot Beijing in China. Organized by Sabre Corporation, Sabre TTX gathered over 500 travel agents, airline and supplier representatives and members of the APAC travel industry to discuss breakthrough technologies making waves at the intersection of travel and technology. CTI President Joey S. Sison was present at the ceremonies to receive the award from Mr. Demy Silverio, President of Sabre Travel Network Philippines and Mr. Todd Arthur, Vice President of Sales and Market Development, Sabre Travel Network Asia Pacific.

WIMAPHIL Promotes Passenger Safety Awareness with WOW ang BiyaheWomen in Maritime Philippines (WIMAPHIL), in partnership with the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) and the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA), strengthened its campaign to promote passenger safety on domestic ferries across the country via the “WOW ang Biyahe” posters under its WIMA on WATCH or WOW program.

In celebration of this year’s National Maritime Week, a program was held on September 26 at the North Harbor where the “WOW ang Biyahe” posters were installed at prominent areas in the passenger terminal. Through the efforts of WIMAPHIL’s regional chapters, the activity was simultaneously conducted across the various regional offices of MARINA and PPA. The posters will also be subsequently displayed in other major ports outside Manila such as Batangas, Legaspi, Matnog, Iloilo, Cebu, Dipolog and Zamboanga, including onboard all domestic passenger ships under the direction of the MARINA. Present at the North Harbor ceremony were WIMAPHIL President Merle Jimenez – San Pedro; WIMAPHIL Vice-President Carla S. Limcaoco; WIMPAHIL Corporate Secretary Atty. Brenda Pimentel; WIMAPHIL Treasurer Normie Hernandez; PPA General Manager Atty. Jay Santiago; PPA Port Manager Clarissa Ignacio; PPA Department Head for Commercial Services Emma Susara; Manila North Harbour Port CEO Richard Barclay; and MARINA Chief of Staff of the Administrator and OIC of Enforcement Service Atty. Vera Joy Ban-eg.

Launched during the International Day of the Seafarer last June 25, the WOW ANG BIYAHE poster is designed to enhance public awareness of safety requirements at sea and encourages the public to do their part in ensuring compliance with safety regulations by sea transport operators. It is one of the undertakings agreed upon in a Memorandum of Agreement signed in 2014 between MARINA and WIMAPHIL.

PTC Partners with Red Cross for Bloodletting ActivityPTC employees and global maritime professionals (GMPs) participated in a bloodletting activity organized by PTC’s Human Resources Department in cooperation with the Philippine Red Cross. A total of 134 employees and GMPs signed up for the activity with 60 volunteers green lighted as eligible donors. The bloodletting activity is part of PTC’s Corporate Social Responsibility Program and was conducted at the Legaspi Room of First Maritime Place last September 30 with a pre-donation pep talk held on September 28.

PTC Conducts Training on Internal Audit for ISO 9001:2015PTC’s Business Process Control and Compliance (BPCC) conducted an Internal Audit Training to update key members of the organization on ISO 9001:2015. The training was held last September 23 at the Legaspi Room of First Maritime Place and conducted by Ms. Mary Anne Concio, CEO of Powerhouse Development and Coaching Academy. In attendance were quality management representatives, internal auditors, document controllers, and quality assurance team members of the different PTC Group business units. Among the topics covered were the Plan-Do-Check-Act Framework of ISO 9001, Quality Management Principles, Auditing Process and Planning, Risk-based Auditing, Effective Audit Report Writing, Nonconformance Management and Managing Improvement.