me I> s sailing across barriers 'lJomestic Sliipowners .9Lssociation G/F Stanford Tower Condominium 1870 M.H. del Pilar St., Malate, Manila Tel. Nos.: 521·4231, 521·4084, 521-8101 Fax No.: 521 ·5817 Alberto Gothong Enterprises, Inc. Lapu-Lapu Shipping Lines Corp. Sulpicio Lines, Inc. 71 F. Gonzales St. M.J. Cuenco Avenue Don Sulpicio Go Bldg. 415 Cebu City Cebu City Sn. Fernando St. Binondo, Manila Cebu Ferries Corporation Lorenzo Shipping Corporation WG&A Philippines, Inc. Pier 4 North Reclamation Area 6/F Birch Tree Bldg. 12/F Times Plaza Bldg. Cebu City 825 Muelle dela Industria St. U.N. Avenue cor. Taft Avenue Binondo, Manila Ennita, Manila George & Peter Lines, Inc. Negros Navigation Company Batangas-Mindoro Ship Operators Lim Bldg. D. Jakosalem St. Pier 2 No rth Harbor Association Cebu City To ndo, Manila Tenninal 2 Bldg. Batangas International Port Sta. Clara, Batangas City CONTENTS 8 DOMESTIC SHIPPING • Ship operators renew their efforts to push for reforms under the new administration lia Quiambao reports on the success of the country's first international port operator Phividec begins to promote development of the Mindanao box port •ATI reports a record throughput for 2000 amidst crisis 14-16 MARITIME REGULATION • Bjorn Flam tackles the increasing problems of stowaways and how to deal with them 18-20 MARINE INSURANCE • A law firm says it has persuaded Panama Maritime Court to revert Filipino seamen's claims to the National Labor Relations Commission • Imelda Cerillo explains the rule on vessel seaworthiness in cargo insurance policy 21 -22 MARINE SAFETY • The Philippine Coast Guard presents its plans and programs in acquisition and deployment of SAR vessels 24 LABOR • Ruth Mercado tackles the role of NGOs and Church apostolate in promoting seafarers welfare 25 MANAGEMENT • The International Shipping Federation issues guidelines on employment practice REGUCARS 05 Chairman's ~ 24 League Update Page ~ 25 Mail Boat 06 News Update 28 Maritime Issues j 7 Case 30 Word from FVR 23 Lex Ma FRONT COVER A call to level the playing field The Maritime Review is published on behalf of the Maritime League and is supplied to members as part of their annual membership package. However, the opinions expressed by the writers do not necessarily reflect those of the Maritime League_:..-------. Certi fied by: Recognized & Accredited by: I!(@ ~ ............ :;:-.'!! __..,......... .. ... ,... .... ,.. \\~tJ ....- ............... ,.. __.. TESDA DnV _}f~ . PHILIPPINE MERCHA~T MARINE SCHOOL 1.Y,f[ OF LAS PINAS CITY COURSES OFFERED: ADMIS ION REQUIREMENTS: ./ BS in Marine Transportation FRE H MAN ./ BS in Marine Engineering (A graduate from High School) ./ BS in Customs Administration a. Form 138 duly accomplished a nd ./ BA in Port Management signed by school authority ./ Computer ecretarial b. Certificate of Good Moral Character ./Associate in Marine E lectronics c. 2 pes. 1 Y2" x 1 Y2 " pictures ./Marine Electronic Technician Course TRANSFEREES ./ Reefer Technician Course ./ Basic Seama n Course a. Honorable Dissmissal ./ Purnpma n Tanker Vessel Course b. Tran cript of Records c. 2 pc . l Yl" x 1 ~" pictures ./ Marine Welding Course d. Certificate of Good Moral Character ./ Machinery Repairman Course FOR PARTICULARS, Inquire now at the Registrar's Office, PMMS-LPC, San Antonio Valley Road, Talon I, Las Pinas City • Tel. 805-0239/41 Loc. 15 or 805-0243. Maritime League Chairman CARLOS L. AGUSTIN Chairman's Page business-like, on time for meetings and Thanks. The scheduled Maritime endsw her orking day after most people League fellowship lunch meeting with the have gone to bed. I can not promise I will PCG hosted by the Commandant, PCG at always stay late at night, but I wi/1 start the HPCG Wardroom on 28 Feb 200 I was my day early. I will be 011 time for a successful event with more than 100 meetings and it will be all business during attendees, including at least 83 members my watch. There will be time for fun, but (some unfortunately failed to register). ln CONGRATULATIONS. On behalf of I intend to make work f un. addition we had 25 new inductees. Since the Board of Trustees and the 2. Being accountable. I have the new honorary chairman, Sec membership of the League, 1 wish to always made myself responsible for my PantaleonAlvarez was out of town, he was express our sincerest congratulations to actions. This will not change. And I hope represented as inducting officer and the newly appointed President's men in you will do the same. speaker by USEC Agustin Bengzon of the League: Justice Secretary Hernani 3. Being transparent. Because I DOTC, one of the original members of Perez (sorry, friend - forgot to mention have no hidden agenda, I will have the League. last issue the first one appointed by 110thing to hide. What you see is what you The PCG gave a detailed briefing PGMA), National Security Adviser Roy get and all I can promise you is that in about the PCG and its projects after which Golez (replacing ML member Alexander the PPA there will be transparent Commo Reuben Lista provided more Aguirre), DND Secretary Angelo T management. information. One of the two original Reyes, new PN ChiefVicrorino S Hingco 4. Being frugal. We have a national honorary co-chairmen of the League, and PPA General Manager Alfonso Cusi. budget deficit ofabout P220 billion. The former DOTC Sec Oscar Orbos, who was Agustin Bengzon likewise continues to gowmunent ~d/1 set a target of reducing supposed to give the Closing Remarks, be an Undersecretary of DOTC joined by this toP 145 billion by the end ofthe fiscal was tied up with ailing Cardinal Sin and another Leaguer, Art Valdez (already yem: We in the PPA must do our share to arrived after the lunch meeting. The mentioned last issue). We're proud of all contribute to this target. I am sure that closing remarks was given in his stead by of you. basic necessities and benefits due each new National Security Adviser Roilo The latest two appointments took a and everyone ofyou will be satisfied but Golez, likewise a maritime person (former little time, as the failed designation of my management will be frugal. l am PES executive, DOTC assistant, another Maritime League member, asking all ofyou to be frugal. MARINA Deputy Administrator, PNSC General Lisandro Abadia, was set aside 5. Consulting. l will welcome President, Postmaster General and 3-term because of certain issues that 1 thought anybody who wants to discuss issues with Parafiaque congressman). were already settled. Well, 1 suppose me. We will set mutually acceptable Commo Lista, on suggestion ofUSEC that's how the ball bounces, so they say. schedules for these dialogues with you, Bengzon, agreed to make the occasion the O n AI Cusi. There was some with the shipping and port community annual anniversary fellowship meeting, murmuring of "conflict of interest" when and with any social grouping that may since the League was formed on this the appointment of Alfonso Cusi was be affected by our intended policies and month exactly I0 years ago. rumored for a few weeks. For those actions. Thanks again to the PCG and interested, herewith is a portion of Al's 6. Empowerment. I would like our especially to Trustee Reuben Lista for the speech during the low-profile turnover organizational structure to work. Each one successful event. rites at the Philippine Ports Authority on ofus has a role. That is why we are here. I Mindanao Container Termina l. 28 February 2001: can not do everything by myself. I cannot While waiting to see Defense Secretary ...All my working life has been with be everywhere at the same time. I do not Eduardo Ermita at his Camp Aguinaldo the transportation industry and with the think I can match the record of visitation office last 20 February, I chanced upon private sector. This is indeed a challenge, and inspection of the nationwide ports three long lost friends who surprisingly the beginning of a new chapter in my established by GM Johnny. But if all of are in the business of ports development: careet: you believe that we can be the best that Retired PC Brig Gen Triunfo P Agustin, I have no hidden agenda in joining we can be, then, I do not think I have to retired Army Brig Gen Donato Quintos, the PPA. My objective is to be able to help check each and everyone of you. and current Administrator Gabriel B the present administration and contribute 7. Being truly God-fearing. We call Evangelista of the PHIVIDEC Industrial whatever capabilities and expertise, if we God by many names. But whatever we call Authority (PIA). They briefed me on the may call it, which /may be able to offer. Him let us be truly prayerful. It does not th ings being done for their project, a JBIC­ The President herself has laid the matter what religion we tum to. But I funded $92.6 million port development ground work for the leadership style she believe we must do our best to go back to for the PIA at its site in Tagoloan, Misamis wishes to be practiced and which I will basics.. let us rediscover our values. Oriental, some 20 kms from the center of follow in the course of my duties: Sounds good to me. For those of us Cagayan de Oro City. This will definitely I. Leading by example. Our who know AI quite well, we believe he outshine the busy Cagayan de Oro port of President starts work early. She is will perform with flying colors. the PPA.:__ ----- NEWS BRIEFS Maritime update OWNERS 'ERODE' SEAFARERS' RIGHTS SHIP owners and flag states have eroded the oldest and most enduring traditional seafarer's right to 'maintenance and cure,' by cost-cutting to address tight margins, a leading US seafarers's advocacy group told the Connecticut Maritime Association conference.