In 1960, the government of the Philippines conducted a survey and population was pegged at 27,087,685. Successive surveys were again conducted on 1980 and 1990 which gave the population as 48,098,460 and 60,703,206 respectively.
On August 14, 1995, the population was 68,616,536. According to the executive director of the Commission on Population Tomas Osias, the population of the Philippines have reached 101.2 million on 2014. (Demographic of the Philippines)
To pursue a career in the seafaring industry is not for the weak and incompetent. It requires specialized skill, rigorous training, hard work, determination and perseverance. However even if the job of a seafarer is far from easy, it is a rewarding career that offers excellent benefits.
Listed below are some of the things that people pursuing a maritime career enjoys:
The wages that seamen received are relatively higher compared to similar professions that work ashore. This enables most people with Shipping jobs and their families to live a comfortable lifestyle. The wages of Filipino seamen working in international Shipping companies may be higher compared to most average-income earners in the Philippines.
Most people who earn a lot would also have to pay a higher tax rate. This is not the case for the Seafarers because their salary is often tax-free.
Traveling is a worthwhile but expensive recreation. Most Seafarers though have the opportunity to tour the world for free. Though they are mostly onboard, various stops of their ship destinations allow them to shortly visit places such as New York, Italy, Los Angeles, London, or Singapore.
Saving money may come easier for Seafarers because their expenses are limited onboard. Basic needs such as food and accommodation are already provided. The opportunity to spend is also limited as they are mostly onboard. This gives them an opportunity to grow their savings while they are working.
A sea officer may not need to wait for so long just to get that much coveted job promotion. With proper working attitude, good work performance and required trainings, there is an opportunity for sea officers to immediately be promoted to higher ranks such as Captain or Chief Engineer. The new job title also equals an increase in salary and better benefits.
Working for a Shipping Company is challenging because it allows one to experience a workplace composed of different nationalities. Though life in a ship is not easy, the work environment is exciting and not monotonous as work schedules and challenges may vary depending on the ship's route and weather.
According to the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA), the Philippines is the world's main supplier of seamen since 1987, making the Philippines the Manning capital of the world. While, according to the Department of Labor and Employment of the Philippines (DOLE), around 390,000 Filipino Seamen were on board merchant Shipping vessels around the world at any given time.
According to the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA), there are 27,104 registered active vessels as of 16 June 2015.
In 2014, there are 398,100 Filipino Seafarers deployed overseas, roughly 35-40 percent of the world's mariners and 60,000 more working in domestic routes. (DOTC) Filipino Seamen are a major segment of overseas Filipino workers who contributed to the Philippines Economy. Filipino Seamen have been a major source of US dollar remittances to the Philippines.
According to the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP), total of financial remittances sent to the Philippines by Overseas Filipino Seamen was US$2.501 Billion during the first nine months of 2009 (US$2.393 Billion in 2008).
In a speech during the Commencement exercises of the Philippine Merchant Marine Academy in San Narciso,Zambales, President Aquino said Seafarers remitted $4.34 billion of the $20.12 billion worth of remittances from overseas Filipino workers in 2011. From January to November 2013 alone, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas reported that sea-based overseas Filipino workers (OFW's) remitted US$4.765 Billion to the Philippines, which is equivalent to a whopping Php213 Billion infused into Philippine Economy.
While, a labor group advised that the value of remittance in 2014 from Filipino Seafarers have reached US$ 5.5 billion amid growing number of deployment aboard. (Pinoy-ofw.com)
There are many advantages to the hiring of Filipino Seafarers. Most importantly is their long experience at sea and outstanding record as Seafarers. Filipino crew have a good command of the English Language. Every officers and ratings is certificated in compliance with the Standards of Training Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW) for Seafarers.
Filipino Seamen are reliable and hardworking. They are competitive to employ but do not compromise themselves on performance or attitude towards their duties and responsibilities.
As of June 16, 2015, there are 371 active Manning Agencies registered at Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and licensed by the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) for the recruitment and placement of Filipino Seafarers on board ocean going ships. Since, the first Agency Performance Awards were given in 1984, the POEA has honoured outstanding licensed recruitment Agencies that play an integral part in a world-renowned Philippine migration management program.
In 2010, Her Excellency Gloria Macapagal Arroyo has instituted the Presidential Award of Excellence through the Proclamation No. 1519, series of 2008. The evaluation criteria includes volume and quality of workers/Seafarers deployed, technical capabilities, compliance with recruitment rules and regulations, marketing capabilities, presence of welfare programs and human resource development plans, industry leadership and social responsibility.
After more than two decades, a total of 171 Agencies consisting of 44 Awardees of Excellence and 127 Top Performers have been conferred the awards. In 2009, there are 37 Agencies awarded for their outstanding performance. Nine (9) land based and ten (10) Manning Agencies which received the Top Performer Award, while one (1) land based and four (4) Manning Agencies received the Award of Excellence.
An elite group of four (4) land based Agencies and nine (9) Manning Agencies were conferred the Presidential Award of Excellence INTERORIENT has been consistently recognized and honoured by the POEA for its exemplary performance in the promotion of employment and welfare of Filipino Seafarers since 1989 and a consistent recipient of an Award of Excellence.
In 2009, INTERORIENT MARITIME ENTERPRISES,INC., made it to the elite group of nine (9)
Manning Agencies who have received the highest honor and distinction that may be bestowed on a
private recruitment Agency in the Philippines, the
"PRESIDENTIAL AWARD OF EXCELLENCE"
