” There is no progressive country
in the world with a weak
maritime industry. The future
of our country lies on the
development of our maritime
industry for the economic
progress of the Philippines”.

VADM Robert Empedrad

M A R I N A   A d m i n i s t r a t o r

Vice Admiral Robert Empedrad,
MARINA Administrator, stressed
the importance of MARINA’s
partnership with industry
stakeholders in addressing EMSA
audit findings as he spoke with
PTC CEO Gerardo Borromeo on
Day 3 of CrewConnect Global
2021 last November 24.

“We opened the EMSA findings to
our stakeholders, involved them in
workshops, and subjected our
corrective actions to their feedback
and inputs,” explained VADM
Empedrad. “Now we will come up
with a primer, which is a product of
the entire Philippine maritime
industry, detailing a comprehensive
strategic action plan to address the
EMSA findings.”

VADM Empedrad added that the
plan includes making adjustments to
how Filipino seafarers are trained.
“MARINA will be deeply involved in
the conduct of onboard training for
seafarers, focusing on developing
the competency of seafarers while
continuing to work with maritime
training institutions.”

Mr. Borromeo echoed the
Administrator’s sentiments, saying
that, “We recognize that future
generations of maritime
professionals have to be ableskilled. The more that we can be
attuned to evolving technology
then the technological divide will
not be as wide and that will
enable Filipinos to not only be
maritime professionals but any
kind of professional.”

Over the past seventeen years,
CrewConnect Global has become
the maritime industry’s most
relevant event, connecting the
global crewing community to
inform and inspire change in
recruitment & retention, training
& safety at sea, and mental health
& well-being.