MARINA spearheads celeb of Day of 350,000 Seafarers

"Saludo Kami, Marinong Pinoy! Bayani Ka Talaga," is the theme for this year's celebration of Filipino Seafarer's Day.

As part of the celebration, the Maritime Industry Authority Regional Office-8 scheduled various activities, one of which is the offering of a Thanksgiving Mass at the Sto. Nino Church, Tacloban City.

MARINA, through its Regional Director Atty. Manuel C. Portus, invited various government institutions in the region to attend the Holy Mass and participate in the motorcade, after the Mass, around the city.

To give color to the event and in honor of the seafarers, the agencies were requested to hang streamers in front of their office as a gesture of support, appreciation, and gratitude to the Filipino seafarers' invaluable contribution in the development of our nation.

Relative to this, it has been reported that the International Maritime Organization has encouraged the governments, shipping organizations, companies, ship owners, and all other parties concerned to give importance to the Day of the Seafarer and celebrate it meaningfully.

Meanwhile, the Philippines has been reported as the world's leading supplier of ship crew with over 350,000 sailors, manning oil tankers, luxury liners, and passenger vessels worldwide, exposing them to piracy attacks.

Per Proclamation No. 183, s. 2011, signed June 3, 2011, President Benigno Aquino III has declared June 25 of every year as Seafarers' Day. - PIA — ARA