JAPAN's MOL Group seafarer manning company, Magsaysay MOL Marine Inc (MMM), has held a long-service commendation ceremony for Filipino seafarers in Manila and a party for seafarers and their families the next day.
MOL awards veteran Filipino crew, opens daycare centre in Navotos City JAPAN's MOL Group seafarer manning company, Magsaysay MOL Marine Inc (MMM), has held a long-service commendation ceremony for Filipino seafarers in Manila and a party for seafarers and their families the next day.
Commendations went to eighty-one 20-year serving veterans, and 120 including their families were on hand for the ceremony. MOL chairman Akimitsu Ashida cited their long service with MOL and called for a renewed focus on their efforts to ensure safe vessel operations.
"I am proud to serve on an MOL-operated vessel. I continually contribute to safe operation with a sense of responsibility. Thanks to MOL, MMM, and my family," said one recipient upon receiving his award. And another recipient's family member said: "My husband's career was built by MOL. I'm proud of him as he does his best aboard, feels his work is well worth doing, and is deeply appreciative of the company."
The family gathering, held at a Manila amusement park, drew over 4,000 people. Mr Ashida expressed his gratitude for the families' understanding and support of MOL seafarers and said Filipino mariners will play an increasingly important role in the company's future growth and success.
"I look forward to the family gathering every year," said one family member. "I am very grateful for MMM as they treat families, who wait patiently while their family members are out at sea, as their own family."
MOL said it will continue to hold such gatherings in other cities in the Philippines and other major seafarer source nations to create stronger ties between MOL and the seafarers' families.
In a related development, MOL has opened a daycare centre in Tanza, Navotos City north of Manila that was built with the support of MOL donations. The multipurpose facility will provide education for pre-school children, health checkups and meals for underprivileged people, as well as other services.
MOL chairman Akimitsu Ashida was also on hand for the opening ceremony. Charlie Ayco, CEO and president of the international NGO Habitat for Humanity Philippines, said the theme of the project was "Ayos Bahay, Ayos Buhay, Ayos Bayan (good housing, good life, good country)," and expressed his gratitude for MOL's support.
Fifty pupils aged from two to six years old, who attend preschool at the daycare centre, received schoolbags featuring the MOL logo, while their families and other visitors watched the first class session.
MOL donations funded the construction of the centre, and MOL Filipino seafarers, their families, and land-based staff from Magsaysay MOL Marine volunteered to help with the work.