The Port Management Office of Misamis Oriental/Cagayan de Oro (PMO MO/C) joined the maritime community in this year’s celebration of the National Maritime Week (NWM) on 20-26 September 2021 spearheaded by the Philippine Coast Guard.
Opening Ceremony
The port stakeholders held the simultaneous dressing of ships and blowing of horns on 20 September to kick-off the weeklong observance of the NWM. This was followed by a short opening program via video teleconferencing.
In his message, CG Commo Agapito B. Bibat, the Commander of Coast Guard District Northern Mindanao (CGDNM), reaffirmed the crucial role of the seafarers in ensuring the continuous global supply chain amidst the pandemic, as underscored in this year’s NMW theme, “Seafarers at the core of shipping’s future.” The seafarers have also been essential workers at the frontline, delivering goods across the globe during these precarious times.
This year’s World Maritime theme revolves around providing highlights on the seafarers as the people at the heart of shipping, and anchor activities related to maritime safety, security, environmental protection and seafarers’ well-being and their future in view of increased digitalization and automation. In line with this and to maintain compliance with the public health protocols, the CGDNM organized webinars which the PMO personnel actively participated in.
Webinar: Information Drive on Marine Environmental Protection
PMO MO/C personnel and other port stakeholders joined the Philippine Coast Guards’ information drive on marine environmental protection titled, “Mga Mabisang Paraan Para Mapangalagaan ang ating Karagatan” through a webinar on 21 September 2021.
Nearly 100 attendees participated in the said webinar wherein subtopics such as the importance of the ocean; the pollution that now severely affects this colossal body of water; and the ways to help protect it for the future generations were discussed.
Resource Speaker CG PO3 Villalon presented that the oceans cover 70.8% of the Earth’s surface and the home of approximately 230,000 marine life forms. Relatedly, he earlier quoted Sylvia Earle, an American marine biologist and oceanographer:
“It doesn’t matter where on Earth you live, everyone is utterly dependent on the existence of that lovely, living saltwater soup. There’s plenty of water in the universe without life, but nowhere is there life without water. If the sea is sick, we’ll feel it. If it dies, we die. Our future and the state of the ocean are one.”
Webinar: Contemporary Issues on Maritime Safety, Security and Environmental Protection
In another webinar on 22 September, the port and maritime members discussed the efforts and achievements of the concerned agency members, particularly the PCG, in the areas of maritime safety and security.
National Coastal Clean-Up Day
Few days after the observance of the International Coastal Cleanup for which the PMO MO/C organized an environmental webinar, some MO/C employees also participated in the coastal cleanup on 25 September 2021 at local beaches.
More than 20 sacks of assorted trash were collected during the said activity.
Closing Ceremony
The NWM celebration concluded on the National Seafarers’ Day on 26 September 2021.
The port and maritime community and partner agencies congratulated the PCG for the successful hosting of the event. The Coast Guard District Northern Mindanao (CGDNM) turned over the National Maritime Week hosting for 2022 to PPA.