The country will celebrate National Maritime Week from September 25 to 30, lead agency Philippine Ports Authority announced.
This year’s theme, “Shipping: Indispensable to the World,” was conceived by the International Maritime Organization (IMO), the maritime policymaking body of the United Nations.
PPA general manager Jay Daniel Santiago said the kick-off ceremony on September 25 will be a grand parade, a Holy Mass and wreath-laying to recognize the men and women of the sector as well as their contributions to the national economy.
Usually, such events are held on the last day of the celebration.
“The present administration has a soft spot for the maritime industry and the marching order is to make this celebration as significant as possible to make its mark not only in the hearts of the men and women of the industry but of the entire Filipino people and the world,” the PPA chief added.
A nationwide ports and harbors cleanup drive by government and private agencies is set on September 27 to coincide with the International Coastal Clean-up Day.
“The NMW committee also required all ship captains to dress up their respective ships in the port from September 25 up to the end of the week-long celebration,” Santiago stressed, adding that ships will also simultaneously blow their horns for two minutes starting 8 a.m. on September 25.
The National Maritime Week is celebrated by virtue of Presidential Proclamation 1094 issued in 1997, consolidating the celebration of the National Seafarers Day, National Maritime Day and the National Maritime Week.
The proclamation amended Presidential Proclamation 828 series of 1996 that declares the last Sunday of September of every year as National Seafarers’ Day.
The proclamation recognizes the vital role of Filipino seafarers in the development of the Philippines as a maritime country.
The IMO, on the other hand, through Circular 1884 dated July 11, 1996, requested all member-nations to celebrate World Maritime Day during the last week of every September of each year.
In the Philippines, Presidential Proclamation 866 released in 1996 sets the last Friday of September every year as National Maritime Day.