President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo conferred yesterday the 2004 Outstanding Seafarers of the Year Award (OSYA) on four Filipino seamen in ceremonies held at the Quirino Grandstand, Rizal Park.
The conferment coincided with the celebration of the 9th National Seafarers’ Day.
The President awarded the Deeds of Valor at Sea to Capt. Ernesto Menorca and 3/O Lugen Ortilliano for heroism for saving lives at sea while Capt. Gregorio Sialsa received the Outstanding Contribution to the Maritime Education, Training, and Industry (OCMETI) award.
Capt. Wilijado Abuid Sr. was also conferred a posthumous OCMETI award.
Sialsa was a member of the team organized by the Department of Transportation and Communication (DoTC) to investigate maritime tragedies.
The captain headed the Board of Marine Inquiry that investigated the burning and sinking of the MV Maria Carmela on April 11, 2002.
He also undertook a thorough probe into the collision between the mv Super Ferry 12 and MV San Nicolas on May 25, 2003.
Sialsa was likewise responsible for the quiz that led to the determination of the cause of the burning of MV Super Ferry 14 on Feb. 27, 2004.
The President was accompanied by her daughter Ma. Lourdes "Luli" Arroyo, Manila Mayor Lito Atienza, Labor Secretary Patricia Sto. Tomas. Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Jose Brilliantes, and Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) Administrator Vicente Suazo when she conferred the awards to the officers and a seaman.
The awarding rites followed a mass held at the Quirino Grandstand officiated by Most Rev. Precioso Cantillas and Fr. Savino Bernardi.
The President was assisted by Cantillas and Bernardi in the wreath-laying ceremony for the patron of the seafarers, "Christ and the Seafarers."
