27/04/2026
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MARINO PH | Philippine Manning Industry Hits ₱1.06 Trillion Impact, Calls for Reforms — Atty. Baguilat | ALMA
Manila, Philippines — Atty. Iris Baguilat, Chairperson of the ALMA Maritime Group, highlighted the major contribution of the Philippine manning service industry, which reached an estimated ₱1.06 trillion total economic impact in 2024, during her presentation at the Safety4Sea Manila Forum.
The study showed that direct contributions totaled ₱331.7 billion, including ₱54.3 billion in shipowners’ spending in the Philippines before deployment and ₱277.4 billion in remittances from Filipino seafarers. Through economic multipliers, the industry supports nearly 400,000 jobs and contributes over ₱150 billion to household income, equivalent to around 4% of the country’s GDP.
Baguilat emphasized that the country’s strong position in global shipping is built on close coordination between government and industry, supported by training, certification, and a strong safety culture that continues to earn global trust.
However, she warned that unstable policies, unfair claims, and inconsistent regulations may weaken shipowner confidence, which could lead to contracts being transferred to other countries.
To sustain growth, ALMA proposed reforms such as a modernized arbitration system and transparent digital tax administration to ensure fairness, predictability, and investor confidence.
“When we protect the seafaring industry, we protect families, jobs, and 4% of the entire Philippine economy.”
