(EMSA). How dare the Europeans pass judgment on the Philippines’ maritime education and training (MET) system. That’s missing the whole point of the EMSA checks: maritime safety. This should be obvious from the agency’s name. We’re not a bit surprised, though. Filipino maritime bureaucrats, manning agents and MET professionals tend to look at STCW (International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers) as a regulatory framework for the employment of seafarers. On the other hand, EMSA and the European Commission (on whose behalf it inspects training facilities in non-EU crew supplying countries) see STCW as a means to enhance maritime safety, not employment. But what of the Philippines being on the International Maritime Organization’s “white list”? That point is best taken up with the IMO officials. The EU has its own policies on safe shipping which are guided by international conventions. There’s a deeper reason the EMSA inspections are resented in Manila. Despite their renowned hospitality, Filipinos hate being criticised by foreigners. They will bristle at any negative comment, whether it’s about their airport, their maritime schools or their cities. It matters not that the criticism is based on fact. Strangely, Filipinos are fond of demeaning and putting one another down – hence the popular phrase “Filipino crab mentality”. Time for an attitudinal change. Time to see reality as it is. How else can Filipinos fix what is wrong and move forward?
Posted on: Sun, 06 Oct 2013 19:01:00 +0000
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