ALMA Maritime Group

07/05/2026

The ALMA Board of Trustees recently conducted a courtesy visit and consultation meeting with the newly appointed Undersecretary of the Department of Migrant Workers, Atty. Darlene Pajarito.

The visit was held as a gesture and appreciation to the Department of Migrant and Workers and its continued commitment to the welfare and protection of the Filipino migrant workers and seafarers.

ALMA extends its appreciation to Undersecretary Pajarito for the warm reception and meaningful exchange, marking another step forward in building stronger partnerships for the maritime community.

07/05/2026

The ALMA (Association of Licensed Manning Agencies) Maritime Group gathered for its Summer Social last April 16, 2026, at the campus of Mariana Academy of Maritime Studies Inc. in Ermita, Manila.

The event was proudly hosted by Mariana Academy of Maritime Studies Inc., an Associate Member of ALMA, whose generous hospitality provided a meaningful venue for maritime professionals, partners, and members of the community to connect, collaborate, and strengthen ties in support of the Philippine maritime industry.

Through gatherings like this, ALMA continues to foster camaraderie and shared commitment among its members and partners as it advances its mission for the Filipino seafaring sector.

01/05/2026

Anchored in strong partnership and shared commitment to the maritime community, this event was proudly made possible through the generous sponsorship of Tsakos Maritime Philippines, Inc.

We are honored to share that our social event held last March 27 in Aseana City, Parañaque was graced by distinguished officials from the Department of Migrant Workers, Asec. Jerome Pampolina and Dir. Augusto San Diego III.

They delivered insightful messages and provided updates on the latest developments in the maritime sector, including key initiatives being undertaken by the Department, particularly in response to the ongoing tensions in the Middle East.

A significant highlight of the event was the formal installation of the ALMA Board of Advisers, composed of former ALMA Trustees. The ceremony was officiated by Asec. Pampolina. Their appointment stands as a recognition of their invaluable contributions and their continued commitment to supporting the growth and direction of the association.

We extend our sincere gratitude to our honored guests and newly installed advisers for their presence and unwavering support.

29/04/2026

In an engaging panel discussion, ALMA Chairperson Atty. Iris Baguilat shared insights from the manning perspective of the seafaring industry on CBA interpretations and disability claims. She highlighted the importance of proper grading and claims, and noted how the long-standing challenge of ambulance chasing has affected the industry, with recent relief seen following the passage of the Magna Carta of Filipino Seafarers into law in 2024.

She was joined by panel speaker Atty. Alex Ragonjan of AMOSUP, along with co-panelists—maritime lawyers Atty. Allan Montano and Atty. Justiniano Panambo Jr.—and moderator MVA Edgar Fernando on Day 1 of the Maritime Voluntary Arbitrators Association of the Philippines Inc. (MVAAP) 2nd National Convention.

28/04/2026

ALMA Maritime Group thanks member Sun Ocean Manning & Shipmanagement for inviting us to its crew conference and for supporting efforts to keep seafarers informed and up to date on key industry developments.

As guest speaker, ALMA Chairperson Atty. Iris Baguilat presented highlights of the 2025 ALMA Study and led a discussion on the Magna Carta of Filipino Seafarers, providing clear insights and addressing questions from crew and attendees.

30/01/2026

Kicking off the year the ALMA way ⚓✨

The ALMA Socials Year Opener brings together our members for an evening of connection, conversation, and community, held on January 22, 2026, at the Grand Westside Hotel in Westside City, Parañaque City.

A heartfelt thank you to Air France–KLM for sponsoring this special event and helping us start the year strong.

Here’s to new connections and smooth sailing ahead! 🌍✈️

01/12/2025

READ: Philippine Seafaring Industry helping economy hurdle uncertain economic times (2/2)

However, Padojinog warned that regulatory uncertainty, uneven enforcement, and legal ambiguity threaten this 4 percent GDP contribution and the jobs tied to it. When confidence is damaged, shipowners do not negotiate. They quietly move contracts to other countries.

To protect these jobs, remittances, and household spending, Padojinog outlined five urgent reforms:

Create the ‘Blue Check’ Manning Agency Program
A voluntary, government-accredited certification for compliant and ethical manning agencies.
• Faster processing
• Stronger foreign principal trust
• Removes need for blanket suspensions
• Isolates noncompliant actors without harming the whole industry

Implement a Tiered Penalty and Enforcement Matrix
Predictable rules to encourage fairness and investment:
• First offense → corrective plan
• Repeat or serious offenses → targeted sanctions
• Only severe, proven cases → full cancellation

Defend Magna Carta reforms
Weakening EMSA compliance and anti–ambulance chasing provisions threatens credibility and may reduce hiring of Filipino crew.

Overhaul voluntary arbitration at NCMB
Stronger evidence standards, due process, and presidentially appointed arbitrators to ensure professionalism.

Modernize tax administration
No-contact digital audits, published rules, clear timelines, online LOA tracking, and an independent dispute review panel.

“Protecting the Philippine manning industry means protecting jobs, remittances, household spending, and a trillion-peso contribution to the economy. These reforms secure international confidence, ensure fairness, strengthen compliance, and sustain the Philippines’ status as a global seafaring leader,” Padojinog concluded.


(Post 2 of 2. Post 1: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/17NUMFHGR2/)

27/11/2025

READ: Philippine Seafaring Industry helping economy hurdle uncertain economic times (1/2)

With shipowners spending inside the Philippines and Filipino seafarers sending wages back home, the Philippine Seafaring Industry continues to be a vital stabilizer of the Philippine economy during uncertain global conditions.

In 2024 alone, foreign shipowners spent an estimated ₱54.3 billion in the Philippines before deploying seafarers, while Filipino seafarers remitted ₱277.4 billion after deployment. Combined, this created ₱331.7 billion in direct impact and ₱1.06 trillion in total economic output, according to Center for Research and Communication President Dr. Winston Conrad B. Padojinog, DBA.

This contribution is massive.
Padojinog emphasized that the Philippine manning and seafaring industry accounted for *4 percent of the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), making it one of the single largest sources of economic activity.

The industry also generated ₱150.1 billion in household income and supported 398,839 Filipino jobs, equivalent to 0.8 percent of national employment.

Broken down separately:

Shipowners’ pre-deployment spending, training, medical exams, government fees, accommodation, uniforms, and services, produced:
• ₱54.3 billion direct impact
• ₱174.9 billion total impact
• ₱43.7 billion household income
• 116,155 jobs

Seafarers’ remittances, once spent on food, housing, education, utilities, and transport, generated:
• ₱277.4 billion direct impact
• ₱888.4 billion total impact
• ₱106.4 billion household income
• 282,684 jobs

In simple terms, every peso spent by shipowners and every peso remitted by a seafarer multiplies nearly three times in the Philippine economy.

“So when a seafarer is hired and sends money home, and when shipowners spend money inside the Philippines before deployment, it is not just the family who benefits. The whole community does,” Padojinog stressed.

He said strengthening the manning and seafaring sector is not merely labor export, but it is a strategic economic policy.

“The industry is not just labor export. It is a national economic strategy,” he added.


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26/11/2025

Grateful for your unwavering support to our seafaring community ⚓🌍💙

Together with the IG P&I, we’ve driven real change in the Philippines—powered by valuable data that helped propel our push for a more just and fair claims environment in the Philippine seafaring sector.

During a recent trip to London, Atty. Iris Baguilat had the pleasure of meeting with Steamship Mutual Claims Manager Tony Nicholson, who is the chairman of the IG P&I Technical Working Group for the Philippines, for an enriching and forward-looking exchange.

Big strides lie ahead, and we’re excited for what this continued collaboration will unlock for our seafarers. 🌊🚀✨


MORE ABOUT ALMA: https://almamaritimegroup.com/

24/11/2025

LOOK: An insightful engagement with IMEC Chief Executive Officer Francesco Gargiulo and Head of Training Rob Gale during ALMA Chairperson Atty. Iris Baguilat's recent trip to the United Kingdom. Together, we aim to continue strengthening opportunities for Filipino seafarers—fostering collaboration that supports their growth in the industry. ⚓🌍🤝


MORE ABOUT ALMA: https://almamaritimegroup.com/

21/11/2025

Figures from a study by the University of Asia and the Pacific (UA&P) and the ALMA Maritime Group reveal that every ₱1 spent by shipowners for the deployment of Filipino seafarers generates nearly ₱3 for the economy.

READ MORE: https://www.panaynews.net/study-filipino-seafarers-generate-p1-06-trillion-in-economic-impact/

A research study presented by the University of Asia and the Pacific (UA&P) and ALMA Maritime Group (Association of Licensed Manning Agencies) entitled “The Overseas Seafarers’ Industry Profile, Structure, and Impact on the Philippine Economy” shows a massive P1.06 trillion of total economic i...