Skippers form FILSCAPTS

No less than Capt. Gregorio S. Oca, president of the Associated Marine and Seamen’s Union of the Philippines, Inc. (AMOSUP), inducted the first set of officers of the Society of Filipino Ship Captains, Inc. (Filscapts) at the Manila Yacht Club in Roxas Boulevard, Manila last September 24, 2009. The captain then issued a check worth Php50,000 as donation for Filscapts fund—the first to be received by the new group.

Filscapts is a group of seasoned Filipino master mariners and captains, both active and now manning executives, who share the strong desire to help develop the Philippine maritime industry. It also aims to position the country as the number one maritime nation in Asia, if not the world.

Among the pioneering officers of Filscapts are Capt. Victor Del Prado, president; Capt. Jaime D. Quiñones, VP–internal; Capt. Hernando Eusebio, VP–external; Capt. Walfredo Rivas, secretary; and Capt. Roberto Nieto, treasurer.

The board of directors consist of Captains Nick Altares, Constantino Arcellana, Jr., Dever Besana, Severro Cuison, Jr., Fidel Dinoso, Del Prado, Eusebio, Donato Marfil, Nieto, Antonio Palenzuela, Quinones, Rodolfo Paz, Rivas, Juanito Salvatierra and Danilo Venida.

New members were inducted by Capt. Del Prado.

Filscapts intends to encourage and promote high standards of qualification, competence, and knowledge among Filipino Ship Captains (Master Mariners) to ensure shipboard Safe Operational Practices, Preservation from Human Injury, Protection of the Environment and Safety of Life and Property at Sea.

Filscapts also plans to cooperate with  government agencies, other groups and associations, and educational institutions in furthering the development of nautical science education and professional practice.

The group also plans to encourage maritime research and publication of its results.

Another objective of the group is to unite the Filipino ship captains into a cohesive group establishing and maintaining appropriate educational and professional standard of membership.

It also intends to foster camaraderie and harmonious relationship among all Filipino ship captains promoting high ideals of professional ethics, integrity, prestige and dedication to the merchant marine service.

It will actively participate and provide maritime-related technical expert advices or consultancy works or assistance to government and private agencies, bodies or associations in pursuit towards development, and improvements of safety of ships, lives, properties and environment in the local and international shipping industry.

Lastly, it aims to promote, encourage and develop continuing socio-economic programs for the welfare of its members, as well as their families, and further serve as vehicle through which government and private assistance, grants, support can be beneficially extended to its members and their families.

Filscapts was incorporated under the Securities and Exchange Commission on 19 June 2009.