MARITINE INDUSTRY IN DANGER OF PERIL!

Indefinite suspension of licenses to operate manning agencies pending litigation of a case is endangering  the maritime industry to the detriment of the Philippine economy!

This is what happened to the 300 seafarers of Gyron Crew Incorporation and Manning Agency (GCIMA). A complaint was filed by three former recruits of GCIMA leading to the suspension of its license to operate. Consequently, the contract of 300 seafarers due to be deployed to Netherlands were put on hold, many of whom were about to leave the country. Meanwhile, the case remains pending for more than sixty (60) days, while it was reported that a new law was passed in Holland allegedly banning Filipino seafarers. 

Despite previous withdrawal of the complaint by two of the complainants, while the other one already left the country, the case still remains pending litigation for more than two months, alleged Bosun Jeric Bilbao, representing the seafarers. Atty. Jesus Gabriel "Jeriel" Domingo, OIC, Adjudication Office, POEA, replied: “our hands are tied by the law . . . we must observe the requirement of due process”, when confronted by the seafarers, during the Balitaan sa Aloha media forum on October 10, 2012. However, the case has not yet been resolved to date. On the other hand, millions of pesos due to the seafarers and the government were already lost. This is a dangerous precedent! 

What happens if there are unscrupulous agencies instigating disgruntled crews of its competitor to initiate unfounded complaints and works in cahoots with the investigating and/or regulatory body in order to destroy the business operation of the latter?  This is tantamount to economic sabotage! 

Consequently, there is a need to amend whatever law or rules there is being cited by Atty. Domingo that ties the hands of the regulators to act swiftly on the case. Otherwise, this shall destroy the maritime industry which operations shall be left at the mercy of the regulators because of the existence of a law being alluded to by Atty. Domingo that hinders their action over the case.

MILLIONS IN REMITTANCES LOST!

(Seafarers of Gyron Crew Incorporation with Moderator Lolly Acosta and Atty. Jesus Gabriel Domingo, OIC, Adjudication Office, POEA)

Millions of pesos in dollar remittances were lost! Millions due to the government as taxes, hundreds starved, some of their dependents quit school while some of their properties were already due for foreclosure because of POEA’s Order suspending the processing of documents by Gyron Crew Incorporation and Manning Agency of seafarers who were about to be deployed to the Netehrlands. This was revealed by Bosun Jeric Bilbao, representing the 300 seafarers from Gyron Crew Incorporation Manning Agency.   

Despite withdrawal of complaint filed by three (3) complainants hired by another manning agency receiving salary lower than what they were receiving from Gyron Crew Incorporation Manning Agency, two of whom already withdrawn the complaint while the other already left the country, the Order has not yet been lifted by the POEA, said Bilbao.  In fact, many of them were already due for deployment even before the Order was issued, Bilbao added. 

On the other hand, seafarers who should have already been deployed to Netherlands now faces a dilemma because of a recent law passed limiting employment of Filipino Seafarers to Holland, said Rodolfo Ca Chila, another seafarer. Thus, denying them and their families of the income which they were supposedly already enjoying. 

 (The seafarers being assisted by  Atty. Malanio "Batas" Mauricio to intervene before the case concerning their manning agency)

Consequently, millions in remittances were lost as a result of POEA’s Order to the detriment of our economy, while the case still remains pending. 

Hear it from them personally:

“300 Seafarer in Danger of Losing Jobs”

“300 Seafarer in Danger of Losing Jobs” 

300 seaman earning at least Php 80,000 monthly salary as ordinary crewmen in European bound vessels were allegedly denied employment. Their recruitment agency, Gyron Crew Incorporation was allegedly prohibited to process their application for overseas employment since May 7, 2012 because of unfounded complaints by disgruntled Gyron recruits employed by the latter’s rival firms. 

While complainants who allegedly accepted employment with competing recruiters at half the rates they enjoy while under contract with Gyron, already withdrawn their complaints with the POEA, the latter has yet to lift the suspension on Gyron, despite its rules that the POEA should act on appeals for the lifting of suspension within 60 days or two months from its filing or by July 2012. 

Thus, endangering 250 seafarer of losing jobs. Join us at Balitaan sa Aloha where both parties shall be given opportunity to air their side.   Let’s find out from the parties themselves.

2012 World Ostomy Day Celebration

October 6, 2012

We celebrated the World Ostomy Day (WOD) to honor Colorectal Cancer survivors with this year's theme: "Let's Be Heard". WOD is being celebrated every three (3) years.

Watch them in video . . .