Sidelined ships seek Subic harbor

The global financial meltdown that sidelined many cruise liners and cargo ships could prove to be a golden opportunity for Filipinos, Labor Secretary Marianito Roque said.

According to Roque, several cruise liners and cargo vessels have docked in Subic Bay harbor in the past few months due to lack of business, waiting out the recession that has discouraged their clients from vacationing and reduced cargo orders.

Roque said the government has been in talks with other shipping firms to use the Subic port.

“We would like to invite maritime owners to see the Philippines as a lay-up area for their ships in a bid to generate local employment,” Roque said in a recent media interview.

Sources said around 15 cruise and cargo vessels had docked in Subic, Zambales province.

Previously, Roque said many cruise liners and cargo vessels let go workers and seafarers because of the economic downturn, although he said the government was expecting the situation to improve by the end of 2009.

“It has really affected container vans because it meant that there would be less goods to ship,” the labor secretary said.

He said Filipinos could serve as skeleton crew that could check the liners from time to time. The vessel owners would also need maintenance crew and security guards, he added.

Aside from Subic, Roque said the government also offered the ports in Cagayan de Oro and Davao to shipping and cruise firms.

The labor chief said Filipinos workers were known for being diligent and proficient in English, skills valued by foreign employers. Kristine L. Alave - Philippine Daily Inquirer