Filipino seafarers can still sail on European Union ships and the jobs of some 50,000 others currently working on EU-flagged vessels remain secured.

Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista made the assurance as he clarified that the Philippines did not fail the audit conducted by the European Maritime Safety Agency.

"The President's directive was to specifically address the EMSA observations so we will be compliant and prevent blacklisting of our seafarers. It's important to say that we should not be alarmed by this because we did not fail the audit," Bautista told reporters.

The Philippines reportedly failed to comply with the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping for Seafarers or the STCW Convention.

"There were findings and the worst thing that can happen is that we will be blacklisted, but the government and all concerned agencies are working together to address all these issues," Bautista said.

"Our seafarers continue to be employed by the different shipping companies. I have met with many shipping companies and manning companies continue to employ them," he added.

To ensure that local training can keep up with international standards, the DoTr chief said the Commission on Higher Education will review its curriculum. Non-compliant schools and training centers will be closed, he said.

"These problems are being addressed and we have sent our responses on the 23 grievances and we are just awaiting the response of the EMSA," he said.

The EU recognized the Philippines' maritime education, training, and certification in 2002 to allow Filipino seafarers to work in EU-flagged vessels

Based on the 2021 maritime transport report of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, the Philippines was the top provider of seafarers globally, followed by Indonesia, China and India.

Currently, about 50,000 Filipino seafarers are employed in Europe. Worldwide, there are 600,000 Filipino seafarers on board ships.

The country is also a top source of certified seafarers globally — with annual remittances reaching P376 billion.

Also on Thursday, the Department of Migrant Workers refuted a story (not by Daily Tribune) that quoted Secretary Susan Ople on the alleged removal by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. of the maritime training and accreditation duties of the Maritime Industry Authority.

"The President never ordered Marina to be removed as an implementing agency, nor did I ever say this in any interview," Ople said.

"The DMW fully supports the actions being taken by the DoTr and Marina to ensure compliance with international maritime standards, particularly on the education, training and certification of Filipino seafarers," Ople added.