Bikol Celebrates National Maritime Week

Legazpi City (24 September) -- The National Maritime Week celebration has commenced Monday (September 20) promoting the contribution of the maritime sector and a fitting tribute to the country's seafarers who enliven the domestic and foreign commerce.

This year's celebration evolves on the theme, the "Philippine Maritime Industry: Onward to Global Competitiveness"

Atty, Francisquiel Mancile, Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) Legazpi City port manager, said the observance serves as an excellent avenue to raise the level of people's consciousness on issues and concerns prevalent in the maritime front like the seafarers' welfare, marine habitats and coastal activities, prevention and disaster response protocol and dimensions, among others, as well as highlight the role of maritime sector in nation-building.

Now on its 15th year, this year's celebration started off with the National Seafarer's Day Thanksgiving Mass September 20 at the Modular passenger shed at the Port of Legazpi, followed by a Tribute to Fallen Sailors/Memorial at the Sea, Blowing of Ship's Horn, Floral Offering to Lost and Dead Seafarers and Motorcade within selected city thoroughfares.

On Tuesday (September 21), the Static Display/Video Show will be launched to feature the agencies under the Department of Transportation and Communication's Water Sector, namely the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA), Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA), & Philippine Coast Guard (PCG). Also featured will be the Philippine Navy, PNP-Maritime Group, Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary (PCGA) and Mariners' Polytechnic Colleges Foundation. The exhibit will last up to September 26, 2010.

The subsequent days will have the Maritime Seminar on Career Path (Sept. 22); Search for Outstanding Merchant Marine Cadet 2010 (Sept. 23); Search and Rescue Drill; boodle fight; and, launching of the Philippine Marine Environment Protection Associate (PHILMERA) will all be held on Sept. 24; the Coastal Clean-Up, and Maritime Quiz Bee (General Maritime Information) is set on Sept. 25.

The week-long events may also serve as avenue for both the public and private sectors to engage in dynamic interaction and information sharing with the end-view of unifying efforts and consciousness to be able to meet the many challenges besetting our maritime front. (PPA V/PIA/mal)