A WEB page enabling workers to gain rapid access to essential information about their health and safety rights and responsibilities has been set up by the Health and Safety Executive.

The "workers’ webpage" http://www.hse.gov.uk/ workers
- covers the roles and responsibilities of employers and employees, as well as issues such as ‘whistle-blowing’ and reporting accidents.

NAVIGATOR'S Diary

Court Bars Sempio, et al from Acting as Officers of MEOAP

The legitimate members of the Board of Trustees of the Marine Engineer Officers Association of the Philippines (MEOAP) have taken appropriate legal actions regarding the unlawful management of their organization by bogus personalities, having assumed the positions in an unduly recognized and illegitimate election process.

And the legal maneuver paid off because on October 26, 2005, Judge Antonio M. Eugenio Jr. of the Manila Regional Trial Court Branch 24, issued a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) barring Leoncio P. Sempio and the supposed present set of officials of MEOAP from assuming and acting as officers of the organization.

Aside from Sempio, named respondents to the complaint were Gerardo P. Marasigan, Desiderio G. Yupano, Analita A. Pinon, Soliman Y. Dilag, Ricarte B. Pillos, Victoriano Alojado, Gilberto R. Deligero, Diosdado P. Agtuca, Generoso T. Mamaril, Humberto V. Monje and Ernesto Malbog.

Based on the documents in support of the complaint filed by the legitimate members of the board of MEOAP including marine engineers Alfonso S. Esteban, Benedicto Giagonia, Tomas N. Orola, Amado Rubite, Ramon Deseo Jr., Edgardo C. Tuano, James T. Pahati and Nelson P. Ramirez, the court sees grave or irreparable injury to the complainants or plaintiffs if Sempio and company continue to discharge their functions and act as officers of MEOAP.

The complainants alleged that the defendants were elected illegally on June 9, 2005 as directors of MEOAP (with the exception of Malbog); that three of the elected directors were discovered to be candidates to the Professional Regulations Commission (PRC) Board of Examiners; and that the defendants continue to usurp the functions of the legitimate board of MEOAP resulting in confusion, damages and prejudice to the legitimate officers and the association itself.

Despite the contention of Sempio and the other defendants to the complaint that the court has no jurisdiction over the matter but the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC); Judge Eugenio cited in his order the crystal clear provision of the interim rules of procedure for Intra Corporate Controversies.

The order cited a specific section that deals with cases covered by such rules on Intra Corporate Controversies, which shall govern the procedure to be observe in civil cases. The order even enumerated all the possible cases of intra corporate controversies where the court can have jurisdiction. The legal move of the legitimate members of the board of MEOAP came at the heels of its petition to the PRC filed on August 31, 2005, asking the government agency to withdraw its accreditation to MEOAP because illegal officers and members of the board have allegedly took hold of the organization.

In order to strengthen its claim to legitimacy, the legitimate members of the Board of Trustees of MEOAP have also unanimously picked Nelson P. Ramirez as the new president of the organization during their meeting in October.

Ramirez however said that he will only serve as transitional president of MEOAP, citing that he would have difficulty managing his time in serving as presidents of both the UFS and MEOAP. He cited that his work with the UFS already takes so much of his time. Ramirez said that he would proposed a general assembly of all the members of MEOAP soon to elect the new set of officers of the organization.

PCG Reiterates Commitment on Maritime Safety and Security

With an unenviable task of safeguarding one of the world’s largest maritime jurisdictions while making the most out of its limited resources, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) certainly has a lot of work cut out for it. But with the determination, sacrifices and ingenuity of the Coast Guard men to serve their country, the limitations are offset, enabling the PCG to successfully hurdle all challenges and accomplish its mission with flying colors.

This was how Vice Admiral Arthur Gosingan, PCG Commandant, described the present state of the maritime agency during the celebration of the PCG’s 104th anniversary last October 17, 2005 at its Manila headquarters.

The anniversary theme: Kabalikat sa Pagsulong ng Kaunlaran, Kaayusan at Kalinisan ng Ating Karagatan (A Partner Towards Progress, Peace and Order, and Cleanliness of Our Seas), is a clear manifestation of the PCG in reiterating its commitment in keeping the country’s ships safe and the seas and marine coastlines clean.

The celebration of the 104th anniversary of PCG became an opportune time also for VAdm Gosingan to highlight the headway that the agency has accomplished over the years related to its maritime safety and security functions.

He also acknowledged the notable contributions made to the PCG during the year, which further beefed up the agency’s arsenal in discharging its maritime safety and security tasks. VAdm Gosingan particularly thanked the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) for their donation of a Vapor Tracer System that can detect traces of explosives, drugs, chemicals and other harmful substances no matter how heavily-concealed these substances are.

VAdm Gosingan also expressed PCG’s gratitude to VAdm Joselito C. Aseniero of the Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary (PCGA) for donating a Boston whaler 19-foot outrage open boat, which can be used to service PCG vessels moored away from the dock and also serve as harbor security and marine pollution monitoring platform.
Likewise, he also recognized the additional assistance being poured into the PCG by other foreign benefactors including the governments of the United States, Australia, Great Britain and New Zealand, among a few others.

Amid the new additions to the maritime agency’s arsenal, VAdm Gosingan sees enormous tasks ahead for the PCG, leaving no room for complacency. In encouraging his men to strive to become better each day, the PCG Commandant remarked: “I have no doubt that the hands of patriotic Filipinos working together cannot fail.”

DFA Honors ‘Hero’ Filipino Seaman

In yet another testimony to the Filipino seafarers as modern-day heroes, another one from their ranks came out and took on the literal meaning of the word ‘hero’ by actually saving the lives of three Colombian fishermen who have been adrift at sea.

Noel Soreta, a veteran Filipino seaman from Camarines Sur, risked his life to save three Colombian fishermen from drowning in stormy seas off Cartagena, Columbia last March.

For his heroic effort, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) gave him due recognition. Soreta has been working as a seafarer for 15 years and works for the vessel M/T Inca.

During simple ceremonies at the DFA late in October 2005, Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo awarded Soreta a certificate of recognition as well as a plaque from the shipping company where he works because of his heroic deeds. Secretary Romulo, in his speech during the ceremony, described Soreta as a “hero in the truest sense who displayed uncommon courage, valor and selflessness at sea.” 

On March 6, while the M/T Inca was cruising in the waters near Cartegena, it came across a capsized boat which carried three fishermen. A low-pressure area had upturned the fishermen’s vessel and left the boat floating belly up in the open sea.

The Colombian fishermen were balancing precariously on the boat’s keel with neither food nor water for more than 24 hours. It was clearly a desperate situation as inclement weather further threatened the fishermen’s lives.

Though M/T Inca sighted the helpless fishermen, extreme conditions hampered rescue operations. However, Soreta braved the weather and swam to the fishermen’s rescue.

“It was an awesome display of Filipino heroism. This is the spirit that animates Filipinos everywhere, a spirit that enables Filipinos not only to face life’s adversities but to triumph over adversities,” Romulo remarked.

Present during the simple awarding ceremony held at the DFA Secretary’s office were Soreta’s brother, Romeo, and William Medcalf, director of Wallem Maritime Shipping Co., representing Soreta’s manning agent. 

Medcalf also presented Soreta a plaque of recognition from the Tsakos Group of Companies, the seaman’s Greek employer.

Gordon Changes People’s Perception of Red Cross
By Rey Gambe

Senator Richard J. Gordon, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC) is beginning to change the perception of the general public that Red Cross is just about donating and sourcing out blood but more importantly, as an institution that is at the forefront of disaster management in the country.

With his pro-active leadership, Gordon is making people understand that the purpose of the Red Cross is to alleviate human suffering, emphasizing the foremost role of the institution in humanitarian assistance.

“It’s a new Red Cross because we took the effort in changing the attitude of people working in the institution, enabling us to change the way people look at the PNRC,” explains the affable Senator Gordon.

Gordon attributes the paradigm shift in the PNRC to the spirit of volunteerism which he emphatically inculcated in the institution, the way he has successfully done in the past with Olongapo, the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) and the Department of Tourism (DOT).

“Volunteerism is part of the Filipino culture because we possess the value of bayanihan. Appropriately combining that with traits like kusang-loob (willingness), malasakit sa kapwa tao (concern for other people), and a sense of common good, we all can make a difference in life,” emphasized the PNRC chairman and chief executive officer.

A known bureaucracy-basher, the majority of Filipino people acknowledge the remarkable ability of Gordon in making things happen faster. And his sterling record in government service, peppered with some of the most noteworthy legacies that the country has witnessed, speak for themselves. 

So it was not surprising that when he was elected as chairman of the PNRC by the institution’s board of governors, he was also chosen as chief executive officer, giving him a ‘hands on’ control of the entire operations of Red Cross in the country.

As he buckled down to work with PNRC, he immediately set the goal of bringing about ‘transformational people’ of the institution, the way he did when he held the helm of Olongapo, SBMA and DOT. “More than focusing on change of men, I always work on bringing about change in men,” cites Gordon.

“Whenever I am needed, I go and make a difference. That has always been my personal calling,” enthused Gordon, citing the four V’s of his leadership success – vision, values, volunteerism and victory – which he also brought to the PNRC. “I come in with a vision, inculcate the right values, and work on it with the right amount of volunteerism to get victory. Going through all these, you always come out a better person,” enlightens Gordon.

Although a member of the board of governors of PNRC since 1981, Gordon says that he grew in a family that thrives in helping others. 

He cited that their family even had a role in the establishment of the PNRC’s first blood bank in the country in the mid-50s. “Just like politics, Red Cross runs in the family’s blood,” says Gordon.

Gordon has had his fair share of noteworthy exploits in saving people’s lives. Days before the explosion of Mt. Pinatubo, he commandeered several buses to evacuate 9,000 Aetas living in the foot of the volcano to Olongapo. That turned out to be 9,000 saved lives because the foot of the volcano was entirely wiped out with smoltering lava a day or two later, as Mt. Pinatubo showed its infamous mighty wrath in 1991.

He was also the first on the scene in Cabanatuan, Nueva Ecija, rescuing survivors and recovering casualties when a school building collapsed during the 1990 earthquake. He even had a role in the rescue of some 18 hostages abducted by the Abu Sayyaf in Zamboanga several years back. Gordon has become a regular fixture during disaster that media personality Julie Yap Daza even branded him as the ‘master of disaster.’

A living testimony of his many life-saving exploits is Lilibeth Acar, a lone survivor of an accident many years ago that took away her family. Senator Gordon took care of her from the time she was rescued from the mishap until she completely got back on her feet from the sad incident in her life. “Lilibeth Acar now works with us and she is just one of the living proofs of my life-saving efforts,” cites Gordon.

Gordon says that he was even instrumental in the rescue of four Filipino fishermen who got lost at sea from Subic and wandered off the waters near Spratlys. He called up his friends in the US Navy, who immediately sent a plane to the area, which eventually sighted and helped the four seafarers.

Helping Gordon and the PNRC in ably taking the cudgels of disaster management in the country are the dedicated and highly-trained staff and volunteers of the Red Cross as well as several rescue equipment. In fact, just last October 2005, the PNRC has unveiled its modern heavy rescue truck that further strengthened the institution’s relief and rescue capabilities during disaster or calamities.

In addition, PNRC also gives premium to accurate information. “In the wake of a disaster, timely and accurate information is the lifeblood of the responding institution. In the Red Cross, we strive to obtain and disseminate nothing but the right information that is credible and of vital importance to the public, to the humanitarian system and potential donors that can support the relief and rehabilitation efforts,” says Gordon.

Gordon added that the PNRC recently initiated a text messaging project with the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Health in order to serve as avian flu (or bird flu) alert monitor in the country in light of the epidemic in neighboring countries.

One important change that Senator Gordon wants to impart among Filipinos is to have that ‘volunteer culture’ instead of taking on a ‘victimized culture.’ “Let us not blame or kill ourselves over bad incidents in our lives because that’s showing our ‘victimized culture.’ We need to be pro-active in all efforts to save lives; that’s the ‘volunteer culture,” he explained. 

In encouraging people to serve as volunteers for the PNRC, Gordon has his to say: “People who want self-worth will certainly find self-worth at Red Cross.”

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