𝗣𝗶𝗻𝗼𝘆 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗼 𝗥𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀 𝗯𝘆 𝗔𝘁𝘁𝘆. 𝗗𝗲𝗻𝗻𝗶𝘀 𝗚𝗼𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗵𝗼

“Itaas mo ang iyong tinig sa panunumpa! Dahil ang pagpupugay sa bandila ay pagmamahal sa Bansa.”

Thus declared Kapuso actor and Maj. Jose Sixto “Dingdong” Dantes as he read the “Pagpupugay sa Busilak na Bandila” during the “Stop and Salute Flag-Raising Ceremony” last September 2, 2024 in honor of Filipino seafarers and reservists.

The ceremony is a monthly program of the National Parks Development Committee, and Salute to a Clean Flag Movement, in cooperation with the National Historical Commission of the Philippines, the Armed Forces of the Philippines , and other government agencies and private organizations that aim to reignite love of country, to remind citizens of their civic duties, and to inspire the youth to push for change.

There was no actual physical hoisting of the Philippine flag at the Independence Flagpole of Rizal Park Luneta as originally planned due to Typhoon Enteng.

Kapuso actors Dantes and Rocco Nacino graced the event as Philippine Navy reservists.

“We are grateful for the sacrifices you have given this country – and indeed this is the perfect place, the cradle of heroes, to honor your excellence, dedication, heroism and your significant contributions to our economy,” said Monique Pronove of the Salute to a Clean Flag Movement.

Filipino seafarers are “sailing ambassadors” for demonstrating the best traits of the Filipinos before the international maritime community.

The Philippines is considered as one of the major suppliers of maritime labor globally as it is estimated that there is one Filipino seafarer for every four to five complements on board a vessel at any time.

According to the BIMCO/ICS Seafarer Workforce Report 2021, the top five largest suppliers for both officers and ratings are the Philippines, the Russian Federation, Indonesia, China, and India. Together, these countries supplied 44 percent of the global seafarer workforce.

In 2023, Filipino seafarers deployed reached 578,626 with the corresponding dollar remittances amounting to US$6,852,362,000.00.

The sea-based sector’s remittances comprise at least 20 percent of the total OFW dollar remittances that amounted to US$33,490,930,000.00 in 2023.

Chief Officer Christian John Fajarito led the oath of allegiance that states: “Ako ay Pilipino. Buong katapatang nanunumpa sa watawat ng Pilipinas, at sa bansang kanyang sinasagisag; na may dangal, katarungan at Kalayaan; na pinakikilos ng sambayanang maka-Diyos,maka-kalikasan, maka-tao at maka-bansa!”

Fajarito was a winner of the 2014 Ten Outstanding Maritime Students of the Philippines (TOMSP) of the National Seafarers Day (NSD).

NSD is celebrated by virtue of Proclamation No. 828 by President Fidel V. Ramos on July 9, 1996 declaring August 18 as NSD. It was later moved to the last Sunday of September every year by Proclamation 1094. The purpose of the proclamation is to give due recognition to the vital role of Filipino seafarers towards the development of the Philippines as a maritime country.

The NSD this year is set on September 29, 2024 with the theme “Marinong Filipino: Ligtas na Paglalayag!”.

Stella Maris Philippines is tasked to coordinate with the public and private sectors the NSD-related activities, including nationwide masses and prayers for the safe voyage of seafarers as well as a grand parade, processions, seminars, oratorical, art and karaoke contests. Wreathe and flower-throwing activities are also offered for the deceased seafarers and fishers, as well as for those who have perished or missing at sea.

The NSD coincides with the National Maritime Week (NMW) celebrated every last week of September spearheaded alternatively by the government agencies Maritime Industry Authority (Marina), the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), and the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA).

September is also Maritime and Archipelagic Nation Awareness Month (MANAMo) which aims to increase awareness and appreciation for the Philippines’ maritime and archipelagic nature. The celebration of all maritime-related events and activities are synchronized in a single month with this year’s theme “Pamana ng Karagatan: Para sa Kinabukasan, Ating Ingatan”.

International Coastal Cleanup Day is on September 21, 2024. It is being conducted every third Saturday of September of each year wherein volunteer organizations remove trash from beaches, rivers, lakes and waterways and then identify and record trash/debris items collected in an Ocean Trash Data form.

World Maritime Day (WMD) is on September 26, 2024 with the theme “Navigating the Future: Safety First!”.

Annually held during the last week in September, the theme reflects the work of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to enhance maritime safety and security, in tandem with the protection of the marine environment, whilst ensuring its regulatory development process safely anticipates the fast pace of technological change and innovation.

WMD was first held in 1978 to mark the 20th anniversary of the IMO Convention’s entry into force.

(𝐴𝑡𝑡𝑦. 𝐷𝑒𝑛𝑛𝑖𝑠 𝑅. 𝐺𝑜𝑟𝑒𝑐ℎ𝑜 ℎ𝑒𝑎𝑑𝑠 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑆𝑒𝑎𝑓𝑎𝑟𝑒𝑟𝑠’ 𝐷𝑖𝑣𝑖𝑠𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑆𝑎𝑝𝑎𝑙𝑜 𝑉𝑒𝑙𝑒𝑧 𝐵𝑢𝑛𝑑𝑎𝑛𝑔 𝐵𝑢𝑙𝑖𝑙𝑎𝑛 𝐿𝑎𝑤 𝑂𝑓𝑓𝑖𝑐𝑒𝑠. 𝐹𝑜𝑟 𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑠, 𝑒-𝑚𝑎𝑖𝑙 𝑖𝑛𝑓𝑜@𝑠𝑎𝑝𝑎𝑙𝑜𝑣𝑒𝑙𝑒𝑧.𝑐𝑜𝑚, 𝑜𝑟 𝑐𝑎𝑙𝑙 09175025808 or 09088665786.)