CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (PIA)--Aside from their contribution to the international seaborne trade, the world economy, and civil society as a whole, the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) underscored the role of seafarers in helping prevent marine pollution.

In Talakayan sa PIA, media forum, Anabell P. Lagas, MARINA-10 regional director, said, "Dako man gyud kaayo ang gaikatabang ang atong seafarers as to prevention sa marine pollution kay sila man ang naa sa dagat ug ilang kinabuhi naa sa dagat, mostly naa gyud sila sa dagat."

(Our seafarers have a big contribution to make to the prevention of marine pollution because they are in the ocean, mostly in the sea).

The International Maritime Organization, the global regulator for shipping, decided to adopt a treaty to prevent pollution from ships, dubbed the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL).

Included in the treaty are instructions on how to handle oil spills from tankers, prevent pollution from chemicals, and pack cargo. It also bans the discharge of plastics into the sea and operational waste such as sewage and garbage.

Our seafarers, according to Lagas, are carrying out all of this. "We have 500,000 Filipino seafarers in the country," she said.

The salary of seafarers is very attractive, especially if they are officers. Meanwhile, seafarers are not only those who are manning the ship; there are also ship crew, cabin crew, nurses, doctors, etc.

"Once nagtrabaho na ka sa barko apil na ka pagka-seafarers like utility, welder, tig-pintal, bartender, and cook, they are considered seafarers as well," Lagas said.

(Once you are working on the ship, you are included as a seafarer, like utility workers, welders, painters, bartenders, and cooks, who are also considered seafarers)

MARINA-10 also provides modified basic safety training for seafarers free of charge, she added.

MARINA is the agency responsible for the issuance of certificates, documents, and licenses, as well as the seafarers record book, which is valid for 10 years.

"We also issue IDs for them and conduct a written and oral examination; after the issuance of a license, the last one is a certificate of competency for the officers," said the MARINA 10 director.

Every 25th of June is "Seafarers Day '' or "National Seafarers Day '' in the Philippines. This year’s theme is "MARPOL at 50: Our commitment goes on. '' (JMOR/PIA-10)