PTC Honored with MARINA Timonel AwardPhilippine Transmarine Carriers, Inc. (PTC) was honored by the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) with the Timonel Maritime Achievement Award during ceremonies held in celebration of the Day of the Seafarer last June 25, 2016 at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City. International Maritime Organization (IMO) Secretary-General Kitack Lim, together with MARINA Deputy Administrator Atty. Gloria Banas, presented the award to PTC CEO Gerardo Borromeo.

The award was given in recognition of PTC’s exceptional and invaluable contributions to the Philippine maritime industry over the last 10 years, particularly for the company’s efforts in continuously evolving its human resource development platform to encompass a holistic value chain designed to properly mold the Filipino Global Maritime Professional (GMP). Beginning with the Sea Mariners program for students in Grades 7 to 10, which utilizes an outcomes-based approach towards competency building; a Senior Maritime High School track; a college education with cutting edge expertise in Science & Math; and finally, a world-class professional development

course by the World Maritime University (WMU) and other international academic institutions, PTC has endeavored to increase awareness of and professional development in the Philippine maritime industry. Going beyond this, PTC has also ensured the overall well-being of its GMPs and their families by providing support services including short-term emergency loans; life skills coaching and seminars; health and wellness programs; youth activities like sports, reading and the arts; and opportunities to own homes in socially vibrant, gated and safe communities through a nationwide seafarer housing program and long-term bridge financing. Finally, PTC has strived to maintain a balance between growing its operations and at the same time contributing to global goals toward sustainability. Taking active roles in organizations that advocate for stronger gender equality measures; the standardization of maritime education and deployment systems to promote transparency and fair compensation; the promotion of safe and efficient shipping; and the formulation of international maritime policies, among others; PTC has been able to help shape the face of maritime on various levels. Together with the country’s maritime party ANGKLA, PTC was also recognized for its efforts in initiating Project Balanghay, the pilot-testing of the K-12 Senior High School Maritime - TechVoc Track. Inspired by the ancient sea vessel called “Balangay,” Project Balanghay is a tripartite initiative between PTC, ANGKLA, and the Department of Education (DepEd). Three early implementer schools were adopted by PTC for the project, with the curriculum developed for the program now being used by over 40 schools nationwide.

The Timonel Awards is given by MARINA every two years to recognize outstanding and exemplary achievements and remarkable contributions of private and public entities or individuals in the maritime industry which have provided a major impact of national, regional or international significance.

08/2016 Volume 12 Issue 6

Women in Maritime Philippines (WIMAPHIL) and the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) unveiled the “WOW ang Byahe” passenger safety campaign poster during the Day of the Seafarer last June 25 at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City. The poster contains basic safety tips for sea transport and is one of the undertakings provided in a Memorandum of Agreement signed in 2014 between MARINA and WIMAPHIL. Designed to enhance public awareness of

safety requirements at sea, the poster urges the public to assume an active role in ensuring compliance with safety regulations by sea transport operators. The “WOW ang Biyahe” posters will be displayed at prominent areas in passenger terminals and piers and eventually onboard all domestic passenger ships.

WIMAPHIL and MARINA Launch “WOW ang Byahe”

PTC Celebrates Day of the Seafarer PTC paid tribute to the unsung heroes of shipping - global maritime professionals (GMPs) worldwide - by joining the celebration of the Day of the Seafarer last June 25, 2016. Spearheaded by the International Maritime Organization (IMO), this year’s campaign was anchored on the theme “At Sea for All,” which highlights the role of seafarers in moving the world.

To illustrate how important seafarers are to their lives, PTC Group employees answered the question “What

do Global Maritime Professionals (GMPs) Bring to You?” on colorful sticky-notes that they posted on the At Sea For All Board located at the lobby of First Maritime Place in Makati. With answers ranging from simple yet essential everyday goods and supplies like food, clothing and gadgets, to their immense role in sustaining world trade and their contribution to the Philippine economy, it is undeniable that seafarers truly are indispensable to the world. Photos of this activity were shared on social media using the hashtag #AtSeaForAll to help create greater awareness of the event and to support IMO’s Day of the Seafarer campaign. Also in support of the event, PTC’s Family and Crew Relations organized an online contest where allottees of PTC crew submitted photos showcasing the importance of GMPs to the global economy, the country and their respective families, and posted them at the PTC Facebook page with the hashtag #AtSeaForAll. Eight winners were selected to win brand new action cams while consolation prizes were given to the rest of the participants. At the Day of the Filipino Seafarer program organized by MARINA and held at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City, PTC hosted a lunch in honor of visiting IMO Secretary-General Kitack Lim. Officers of MARINA, IMO, Women in Maritime Philippines and other maritime industry stakeholders graced the event.

ICS Highlights Role of Merchant Seafarers in Migrant Rescues

PTC CEO Gerardo Borromeo, Vice-Chairman of the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), highlighted the courage exhibited by seafarers of all nationalities with respect to the rescue at sea crisis in Europe and in the Mediterranean. Speaking at the International Seafarers’ Welfare and Assistance Network (ISWAN) celebration of the Day of the Seafarer, Mr. Borromeo praised the

seafarers for going beyond their call of duty but also pointed out the need to look into mechanisms for professional rescue. “Seafarers move the world and in doing so, they make tremendous sacrifices and can be called upon to take on other extraordinary tasks, beyond the call of normal duty. The shipping industry fully accepts its humanitarian responsibility to come to the assistance of anyone in distress at sea. But one aspect of this terrible situation which is often overlooked, is the effect that this has on merchant seafarers.”

“Many seafarers have now been involved in large-scale rescue operations, saving the lives of thousands of people, and witnessing great suffering. It has to be remembered that seafarers are civilians, they are not professional rescue personnel.” He emphasized that while the politics surrounding the migrant crisis are complex, ICS will continue to urge governments to do more. Mr. Borromeo concluded: “The Day of the Seafarer is a day of celebration. On behalf of ICS, and in cooperation with our colleagues from the seafarers’ unions, we remain committed to promoting recognition of the extraordinary role of merchant seafarers and the important and vital work they do for the global community.” During ISWAN’s International Seafarers’ Welfare Awards 2016 held on June 24 at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City, Mr. Borromeo, together with IMO Secretary-General Kitack Lim presented the Dr. Dierk Lindemann Welfare Personality of the Year Award. Sponsored by the ICS, the award was given to the Associated Marine Officers’ and Seamen’s Union of the Philippines (AMOSUP) for the organization category and to Reverend Stephen Miller for the individual category.

IMO Sec-Gen Kitack Lim Officiates WIMAPHIL Oath-Taking Members of the Women in Maritime Philippines (WIMAPHIL) Board of Trustees were sworn in during an oath-taking ceremony administered by visiting International Maritime Organization (IMO) Secretary-General Kitack Lim last June 24, 2016 at the Manila Hotel. The newly-elected Board of Trustees Board is comprised of Ms. Merle Jimenez-San Pedro, President; Ms. Carla S. Limcaoco, Vice-President; Atty. Brenda V. Pimentel, Corporate Secretary; Ms. Normie S. Hernandez, Treasurer; Rowena S. Quiogue, Auditor; Ms. Christina S. Manzano, Trustee and Dr. Teresita Sarabia, Trustee. Atty. Josephine Uranza, IMO Regional Coordinator for East Asia, was present to witness the event.

Official eBulletin of the PTC Group

OPITO Courses Now Offered at PHILCAMSAT The Philippine Center for Advanced Maritime Simulation and Training Inc. (PHILCAMSAT), in partnership with Northern Marine Management Management, was officially accredited by the Offshore Petroleum Industry Training Organization (OPITO) last June 30, 2016 to deliver offshore survival training courses. With the accreditation, PHILCAMSAT now offers courses on Basic Offshore Safety Induction and Emergency Training (BOSIET), Further Offshore Emergency Training (FOET) and Helicopter Underwater Escape Training (HUET) at its MAST Campus in Maragondon, Cavite. The accreditation is yet another testament to the ability of PHILCAMSAT to deliver quality training programs in accordance with international standards.

PTC at Posidonia 2016PTC joined over 1,800 exhibitors and 22,000 delegates from 90 countries in one of the biggest international shipping exhibitions in the world, the Posidonia 2016, held last June 6 to 10, 2016 at the Metropolitan Expo in Athens, Greece. Now on its 5th decade, the biennial exposition has developed a strong reputation as a forum where crucial discussions, debates and deliberations on issues and regulations affecting the global maritime industry take place among policy makers, government officials and captains of the global industry. Representing the PTC Group at the conference was PTC Executive Director Mark Parco. Constellation Travels Inc. Head of Operations, Jon Marnic Adriano, attended the exhibition, as well.

PTC at the 10th FAME Fun RunPTC employees joined more than 4,000 runners at the “Go Marino Go! Healthy Body, Healthy Mind Fun Run” organized by the Filipino Association for Mariners’ Employment (FAME) held last June 25 at the Mall of Asia grounds in Pasay City. Now on its 10th year, the fun run was held as part of the global celebration for the International Day of the Seafarer. Proceeds of the event will be used to support the mangrove tree planting project of the World Wildlife Foundation (WWF) Maritime Environment Conservation Program.

Dutch Delegation Visits PTC andthe MASTMembers of the Dutch delegation to the 17th Philippines-Netherlands Joint Committee on Maritime Affairs visited PTC and PHILCAMSAT, as well as, the MAST in Maragondon, Cavite last June 15 for a tour of the Center’s world-class training facilities. The delegation consisted of officials from the Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure and the Environment, together with representatives from the Dutch maritime sector and the Dutch Shipowners Association. The group was in the country to meet with the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) and express their commitment to maintain the strong maritime cooperation between the Netherlands and the Philippines.

MIT Coffee Hour Presents Platform RevolutionThe PTC-MIT Coffee Hour gathered executives and managers of the PTC Group for another knowledge sharing session, this time centered on an exciting and timely topic - the platform business model. Held last June 29 at the Legaspi Room of First Maritime Place, the session looked at how cutting-edge companies including Google, Facebook, Uber and Airbnb are revolutionizing today’s digital economy through platform businesses, as illustrated in the book “Platform Revolution” written by Geoffrey G. Parker, Marshall W. Van Alstyne, and Sangeet Paul Choudary from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Platform Revolution charts out the brilliant future of networked markets and explains how entrepreneurs, as well as, traditional companies - can thrive in this new world by harnessing the potentials of this transformed economic landscape.

PTC at the FSA Cup Golf TournamentThe Filipino Shipowners Association (FSA) held its 4th FSA Cup Golf Tournament last June 10, 2016 at the Palmer Course of the Orchard Golf & Country Club in Dasmariñas, Cavite. A total of 68 avid golfers comprised of FSA members and marine suppliers participated in the yearly tournament where part of the proceeds were donated to Caritas Manila and several other charitable organizations. PTC, CCI Marine, Health Metrics, Constellation Travels, PTCAT and PHILCAMSAT were among those who sponsored the event.

Dr. Max Mejia Takes BT Course at PHILCAMSAT Dr. Maximo Mejia Jr., former Administrator of the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA), recently completed his Basic Training Course, a pre-requisite to obtaining a Seaman’s book, at the Philippine Center for Advanced Maritime Simulation and Training, Inc. (PHILCAMSAT) and at the MAST Campus in Maragondon, Cavite from June 13 to 21, 2016. The course covered mandatory minimum requirements prescribed in Regulation VI/1 and Section A-VI/1 of the Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW 2010) comprised of modules on Elementary First Aid, Fire

Prevention and Fire Fighting, Personal Survival Techniques, and Personal Safety & Social Responsibilities. Administrator Mejia expressed his satisfaction with the conduct of both the theoretical and practical course modules. During his practical examination, he even clocked the fastest time in donning the immersion suit, posting a record of 10 seconds instead of the usual 20-30 second standard time.

SIRB Validity Extended through ANGKLA’s Recommendation The Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) has issued Memo Circular 2016-05 which extends the 5-year validity period of the Seafarer’s Identification and Record Book (SIRB) to 10 years in response to a recommendation made by Cong. Jesulito A. Manalo of ANGKLA. “A longer validity period of the SIRB containing more pages will alleviate the burden of seafarers as far as time, effort and money they spend for renewing or revalidating their seaman’s books are concerned. In the same way, MARINA can also save in their manpower and other costs relative to its regulation, processing and printing of these documents,” said Cong. Manalo in a letter addressed to MARINA Administrator Maximo Mejia, Jr. dated May 8, 2016. The extension of the SIRB validity period was made effective on June 29, 2016.

The Department of Education ( D e p E d ) recognized PTC for its efforts as one of the p r o p o n e n t s of Project Balanghay or the Maritime Senior

High School Program. As a symbol of their gratitude, a plaque of appreciation was awarded by outgoing DepEd Secretary Bro. Armin Luistro to PTC during the Department of Education Adopt-A-School Partners Appreciation Event held last June 10, 2016 at the Meralco Multi-Purpose Hall in Ortigas Center, Pasig City. PTC Business Development Manager Marcus Leslie Suntay received the plaque on behalf of the company. “The previous years have indeed been more challenging for the Department in light of the implementation of major education initiatives, such as the K-12 Basic Education Program,” said Sec. Luistro. “As the implementation of such programs goes into full steam, more challenges are expected to be immediately addressed. We are therefore grateful to note that through the help of various stakeholders and partners from different sectors, the Department was successful in narrowing down most of the educational requirement gaps. DepEd’s strengthened partnerships and collaborative efforts with education partners have been truly instrumental in making the goal of providing quality education for all a reality.”

DepEd Expresses Gratitude to PTC for Project Balanghay