The global deployment of overseas Filipino seafarers continues to post robust growth rates well into the year 2006 on the strength of the country's efforts to comply with the International Maritime Organization's amended Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping, the Department of Labor and Employment yesterday reported.

A report earlier reaching Labor and Employment Secretary Arturo Brion shows that the total global deployment of Filipino seafarers surged robustly by another 10.6 percent or, 16,646 between Jan. 1 and Aug. 22, 2006 to 173,166, from 156,520 in the same period last year.

Acting Labor Secretary Danilo Cruz said that as the trend continues to sustain amidst the growth in global shipping and preference for skilled Filipino seamen, "we may well exceed the 250,000 level in total global deployment of our seafarers, and even approach the 300,000 mark in the entire 2006."

Cruz cited previous Philippine Overseas Employment Administration reports indicating that total seafarer deployment earlier increased by some 8.18 percent or almost 18,749, from 229,002 in 2004 to 247,751 last year, the DOLE press release said.

Cruz said that based on the latest report of the agency, the total number of contracts processed for overseas Filipino seafarers posted a growth rate of another 8.7 percent or 18,030, to 225,251 as of Aug. 22, 2006 compared to 207,221 during the same period in 2005.

Cruz said that in general, the growth in the deployment of overseas Filipino seafarers factors significantly in the global deployment of overseas Filipino workers in 2006.

Cruz cited the data furnished by POEA Administrator Rosalinda Baldoz that global OFW deployment reached 720,308 as of Aug. 22, posting a 5.8 percent or 39,460 increase from the 680,848 OFWs deployed in the same period last year.*

back to top