CPA celebrates maritime week

CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu Port Authority, the lead agency of the 23rd National Maritime Week celebrated from September 25 to 30, 2022, has lined up a series of activities participated by its various stakeholders.

CPA Acting Deputy General Manager Glenn B. Castillo said this year’s campaign is in support of the International Maritime Organization’s advocacy to promote a green transition of the maritime sector into a sustainable future.

Castillo said this year’s theme – New Technologies for Greener Shipping – aptly describes the need to step up campaigns against maritime pollution and take actions to address impacts of climate change which greatly affects the maritime industry.

He said that the CPA has lined up campaigns and programs to call for Cebu’s maritime sector to take the lead in protecting the maritime environment through eco-friendly shipping and port practices.

The celebration will kick off with a float parade and motorcade activity to be participated by partners from the Maritime Industry Authority-7, Philippine Coast Guard Central Visayas, Bureau of Quarantine-Cebu, Bureau of Customs, Bureau of Immigration, shipping companies, cargo-handling, maritime schools and other maritime stakeholders on September 26, 2022 at 7:00am.

The activity will be followed by a celebration of the Holy Mass and an opening program at CPA Sports Facility where all maritime stakeholders will take the oath of commitment and support to the call to build back better and greener.

This will be followed by the simultaneous blowing of horns of all ships docked in all 16 CPA managed ports in the province at exactly 12:00 noon.

As part of the celebration, CPA  have also planted 500 mangrove propagules in a mangrove planting conducted in partnership with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-7 on Olango Island, Lapu-lapu City yesterday.

Today at  6:00 a.m., in observance of the 27th National Seafarers’ Day, the Apostleship of the Sea-Stella Maris Cebu will lead a Memorial at Sea and Wreath Laying Ceremony in honor of the deceased seafarers.

Other activities slated for the week include a series of campaign programs and activities geared toward raising the level of awareness of the critical role of the maritime sector in the country’s trade and economic developments.

This will be showcased through a Maritime Exhibit to be displayed inside Pier 1 Passenger Terminal and will be launched also on September 26, 2022, 1:00 p.m.

CPA will also spearhead the conduct of basketball, volleyball and bowling tournaments among officials and staff of maritime agencies and port stakeholders.

On September 28, 2022, CPA will conduct a simultaneous ports and harbor clean-up drive in Cebu baseport and outports.

CPA will also conduct a Port Tour to maritime students on September 29 to showcase Port of Cebu’s operations and best practices.

In partnership with the BOQ Cebu, CPA will also host a Vaccination Drive on September 27-29, 2022 and will offer Pfizer first and second booster shots to the members of Cebu’s maritime community and their families. Pneumococcal Vaccines are also available until supplies last.

On September 30, CPA will hold the culmination program to recognize the efforts of maritime partners in delivering effective and efficient services to all port users.

The National Maritime Week is being celebrated annually as provided under Proclamation No.1094, series 1997 in relation to Proclamation No. 866 series of 1996 signed by then President Fidel V. Ramos. — LPM (FREEMAN)