Congressman Jesulito Manalo (extreme left) stresses a point during the Q&A portion of the Maritime Affairs/U.S. – Philippines Opportunities Forum held at the CSIS conference room, Washinton, D.C.. Others in photo (L-R) are Joseph J. Cox,  Gerard Borromeo, and Scott Miller who moderated the event. (photo by WSV Media)

Congressman Jesulito A. Manalo of the ANGKLA Party List, addressed and participated in a forum on “Global Maritime Affairs, Opportunities for U.S. – Philippine Cooperation” last April 29, 2015, held at the CSIS Conference room in Washington. D.C.  The forum, which was organized by the U.S. – Philippines Society, a Washington based non-profit organization, and the Center for Strategic International Studies (CSIS), was initiated to foster dialogue between the United States and the Philippines on matters related to maritime trade and security.  Other dignitaries who participated in the forum were Ambassador John. D. Negroponte, Co-Chair of the U.S.-Philippines Society, Mr. Joseph J. Cox, CEO of the Chamber of Shipping in America, and Mr. Gerard Borromeo, CEO of Philippine Transmarine Corporation.

Congressman Manalo gave a presentation about the importance of Filipino seafarers not only in the Philippines, but to the world.  He highlighted the fact that seafarers from the Philippines represent 1/3 of the crew in majority, if not all of the ships sailing the world. Cong. Manalo also presented that this sector contributed 20% of the US$22.4 Billion remitted to the Philippines by overseas Filipino workers in 2014 alone. The ANGKLA representative also shared his vision to position the Philippines as a premiere maritime nation not cheap replica breitlingonly for its top caliber seafarers, but also in ship building and architecture. Many in the crowd that filled the hall were surprised to learn that the Philippines currently has the 4^th largest ship building facility in the world.

A question and answer period followed the presentations moderated by Mr. Scott Miller, the CSIS’ senior adviser and Scholl Chair in International Business. Part of the audience of the well-attended forum were Philippine Ambassador Jose Cuisia, Ambassador John Maisto and Mr. Hank Henderson of the U.S. – Philippines Society, and the Congressman Cesar Sarmiento, Congresswoman Gwendolyn Garcia, and Congressman Jonathan de la Cruz of the Congressional delegation from the Philippines.

The forum was broadcasted live via webcast during the event and can be viewed online through the CSIS’ website: http://csis.org/multimedia/video-global-maritime-affairs