THE Philippines is leading a push to broaden the maritime workforce scope in response to growing labor shortages and evolving industry demands.
At the 54th APEC Transportation Working Group (TPT) meeting in Singapore, held from Sept. 30 to Oct. 2, 2024, the Philippine delegation emphasized the need to include port workers, shipyard workers, fishers and other roles in the maritime sector to address critical labor gaps and ensure sustainable growth.
The Maritime Experts Group (MEG) of the APEC TPT adopted the maritime workforce as the main policy theme (MPT) for 2025, marking a shift toward tackling a wider range of industry issues. This new approach aims to focus on labor standards, workforce shortages, gender representation and the impact of global regulations on all maritime workers.
The Maritime Experts Group adopted the maritime workforce as the main policy theme at the 54th APEC Transportation Working Group meeting in Singapore from Sept. 30 to Oct. 2, 2024. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) Director Luisito de los Santos, head of the Philippine delegation, highlighted the importance of this inclusive stance, stating, “Putting the human element at the center of the work of the APEC TPT’s Maritime Experts Group is a reaffirmation and recognition of the indispensable role of our maritime workforce in sustaining the global economy.”
The Philippines will collaborate with Canada to develop project concept notes leading to the formulation of project proposals for the TPT’s submission to the APEC Budget and Management Committee (BMC) for funding consideration. Progress on these initiatives will be assessed during the next APEC TPT meeting in Korea in 2025.
Other members of the Philippine delegation included Ma. Pilipinas Abando from the Department of Transportation, representing the Land Experts Group (LEG) and Intelligent and Intermodal Systems Experts Group, and Katherine Barcellano from the Civil Aeronautics Board, representing the Air Services Experts Group.
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