Experience is the teacher of all things. Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista’s experience in crisis management as former PAL president came in handy when he assumed the post as DOTr chief in June 2022. Among the many challenges he has to face, the threat to the livelihood of more than 400,000 Filipino seafarers needed urgent action. An audit conducted by the European Maritime Safety Agency indicated that the Philippines has not been complying with international maritime safety standards.
The hard work paid a handsome dividend in the form of a positive decision by the European Commission. Bautista never expected to be the one to deliver the good news to the manning sector that the EC decided to continue accepting Philippine maritime training certificates, thus securing the jobs of all Filipino seafarers working in EU-flagged vessels.
The transport chief also thanked EC’s offer of technical assistance to further improve the implementation and oversight of minimum education, training and certification requirements as well as the living and working conditions of Filipino seafarers.