PH now has 9 active crew change hubs as Zamboanga, Iloilo, and Palawan hubs open to receive seafarers

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Pursuant to the order given by Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Art Tugade to establish more crew change hubs across the country, three more crew change hubs became operational in the ports of Zamboanga, Iloilo and in Puerto Princesa, Palawan.The new crew change hubs were activated on March 14, March 21 and April 8, 2022, respectively. The DOTr Maritime Sector led the opening of the new crew change hubs, comprised of the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA), the Office of Transportation Security (OTS), and the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA), together with other concerned government agencies.

With the additional crew change hubs, the Philippines now has 9 active crew change hubs joining the Manila South Harbor, Port Capinpin in Orion, Bataan, Sasa Wharf in Davao, and Batangas, under the PPA. The other two crew change hubs are located in Subic and Cebu.

The country introduced the crew change hubs to process the documents needed to facilitate the movement of both on-signers and off-signers amid the global pandemic, recognizing the vital contribution of seafarers to the country’s economy.

The establishment of crew change hubs across the country is part of the measures adopted to keep maritime operations ongoing despite the strict health protocols being enforced amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

The crew change hubs are staffed by the following government agencies: the DOTr and its attached agencies: Office for Transportation Security (OTS), Cebu Port Authority (CPA), Philippine Ports Authority (PPA), Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA), the Department of Health (DOH), Bureau of Quarantine (BOQ), the Bureau of Customs (BOC), Bureau of Immigration (BI), Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), the Overseas Workers Welfare Organization (OWWA), the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA), the Office of Civil Defense (OCD), and by the various provincial and local government units.

Transportation Secretary Art Tugade welcomed the activation of the new crew change hubs while stressing that the DOTr Maritime Sector and the other involved government agencies remain firm in their commitment to make crew changes as efficient as possible while upholding the health and safety of seafarers, especially Filipino mariners.

"It takes a whole maritime approach to make crew changes possible in the country. The various government agencies and the stakeholders that are involved remain firm in their strong and active participation to ensure the continuous operation of these crew change hubs, for our maritime industry champions: our Filipino seafarers,” Secretary Tugade said.

SSS asks members, employers to keep online login details to themselves

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Social Security System (SSS) President and CEO Michael G. Regino today urged members, pensioners, and employers of the state-pension fund to secure their login credentials on the My.SSS portal and other personal information to protect their accounts from fraudulent transactions.

Regino issued the reminder following several complaints from SSS members that their accounts with the My.SSS were being subjected to fraudulent transactions perpetuated by scammers and other unscrupulous persons.


One of the reasons why such fraudulent transactions occur, SSS insiders noted, was the tendency of some members to share their login credentials with unauthorized persons. These login information, Regino noted, should be kept confidential by accountholders to protect themselves from scammers.


Regino likened the SSS login credentials to the Personal Identification Number (PIN) that bank depositors use to access their accounts at the Automated Teller Machines (ATM). An ATM card PIN is a multi-digit number required at bank ATMs for carrying out transactions and is initially provided by the banks. This PIN can be reset or changed to a new PIN by the card owner but is kept as a strictly confidential information by the user.


“We have asked our stakeholders not to share their usernames, passwords, and other login details on their My.SSS accounts to unauthorized individuals. Giving your username and password to another person is like sharing your ATM PIN,” Regino said. “Anyone with this information could use your My.SSS account to avail of monetary benefits without your authorization.”


The SSS chief cited a case wherein a member sought the assistance of another person while trying to create and access his My.SSS account on the Internet. It turned out that the person from whom the SSS member sought for help is a fixer and scammer who later drew a salary loan from the account without his knowledge.


Regino also advised members not to entertain unofficial online groups in various platforms, like Facebook, that allegedly offer easier access to SSS online accounts and provided technical assistance for a fee to loan-seekers.


“We do not recognize these unofficial online groups, even those found on Facebook. We consider them illegal, and they cannot facilitate SSS transactions on behalf of our members,” Regino said.


He added that online transactions and services offered by the SSS portals are free, except when a member is requesting for a replacement of the Unified Multi-purpose ID Card (UMID), which carries a minimal fee.


Regino said members may visit the E-center in local branches and they will be assisted by SSS employees in their online transactions. “All our branches have an E-center containing several computers connected to the Internet. We have employees stationed there who are ready to help our members in creating and accessing their My.SSS account as well as guide them navigating and using the online portal for their transactions.”


Regino said the SSS management also regularly update its online facilities, such as the My.SSS Portal and SSS Mobile App, to better serve its members. In 2021, the Mobile App was redesigned to make it more user-friendly and easier for members to navigate and conduct their online transactions through mobile phone facilities.


He also reminded members, pensioners, and employers that SSS cannot be held accountable for fraudulent transactions once a member connives with a fixer.


Under Republic Act No. 11032, or the Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Service Delivery Act of 2018, and Republic Act 11199, or the Social Security Act of 2018, make it illegal for members to engage the services of fixers.


SSS works closely with law enforcement agencies to curb the illegal activities of fixers. “We are determined to file charges against them who are taking advantage of our members and employers,” Regino concluded.

They may report these fixers or scammers to the Special Investigation Department (SID) through e-mail at fid@sss.gov.ph or at (02) 8924-7370.

Filipino Mountain Climbers Unveil Pink Flag Atop Africa’s Highest Mountain

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Faced with icy winds up to 20 degrees below zero, six Filipino mountain climbers unveiled pink flags and banners to show their support for presidential candidate Leni Robredo and vice-presidential candidate Kiko Pangilinan.

Team leader Rofil Sheldon Magto and climbers Yelena Nina Magto, Andrei Nikolai Magto, Grace Feraer, Vanessa del Rosario and Gregg Yan endured a week-long 70 kilometer trek through alpine and sub-zero conditions to reach the highest point in Africa, the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro at 19,341 feet (5,895 MASL or meters above sea level). 

The Filipinos proudly waved the Philippine flag and a pink flag, along with banners bearing the text Gobyernong Tapat, Aahon Lahat at 5895 MASL, Gusto Namin High Altitude, Hindi Yung May Attitude, and Mountaineers for Leni. Philippine presidential elections shall take place on May 9^th 2022.

“It was not an easy feat for average Filipino climbers like us. We persevered despite the odds because we know that we are not only representing our country but also showing the world that our individual choices and actions, when made collectively, will have a positive and lasting impact for years to come,” said Rofil Sheldon Magto.

Mount Kilimanjaro is located in Tanzania, East Africa and is the highest mountain on the African continent. It is one of the world’s Seven Summits, pertaining to the highest mountains per continent. 

The other Seven Summits include Mount Everest in Asia, Mount Aconcagua in South America, Mount Denali in North America, Mount Elbrus in Europe, Vinson Massif in Antarctica and Mount Kosciuszko in Australia. So far, only two Filipinos – Romi Garduce and Carina Dayondon – have been able to complete all Seven Summits. 

Three Stars and a Sun. The Philippine flag flutters above the highest point in Africa. Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania rises well above the clouds at 19,341 feet or 5,895 meters. (FC Mtey & Gregg Yan)

View from the top. Fierce winds up to 20 degrees below zero keep snow and ice from melting, despite sun rays that can cause sunburn in mere minutes. Scientists fear that global warming might cause Mount Kilimanjaro’s remaining ice caps to completely melt away. (Gregg Yan)