Senator Marcos lauded seamen

BALANGA CITY, Bataan – Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr. extolled the excellent performance of Filipinos as  first-class seafarers manning hundreds of cargo and cruise ships around the world.

Speaking before some 2,000 cadets of the Maritime Academy of Asia and the Pacific (MAAP) located in the coastal village of Alas-Asin, Mariveles town, this province, the other day, Marcos said the world-class qualities of the local seafarers have been recognized in the shipping industry worldwide for embracing hardworking marine officers, competent and well-trained and systematic knowledge of operational system of the highly-modernized sea vessels.

Delighted over positive feedback about the expertise shown while sailing the rough seven seas and unquestionable toughness and  heroic deeds of the local seafarers, Marcos  said  the ”Filipino seamen are the best in the world”.

He said it’s truly amazing that MAAP, now acclaimed as the largest supplier of skilled marine officers in the world started in an 11-hectare mostly hilly compound in 1998 and now expanded to the present location of 103 hectares probably due to the strong demand for Filipino seafarers’ exceptional ability to confront the challenges of the high seas from world-wide shipping firms specially from the European Union.

Marcos received a loud round of applause from the cadets, guests and maritime academy officials led by its President, Retired Admiral Eduardo Santos when he said “your respectable navigational performances and great control while handling sophisticated sea vessels represent that Filipinos are keeping the highest standard of leadership.

After his short stint at MAAP, Marcos proceeded to Authority of Freeport Area of Bataan (AFAB) formerly known as the country’s first export processing zone, to meet with local and foreign stakeholders  and company managers in a luncheon at Oriental Hotel.

Senator Marcos also met industrial workers and local officials in the province before going to Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) in Olongapo City for an overnight stay.