Ahead of the International Day of the Seafarer, maritime stakeholders, industry leaders, and advocates gathered at the Museo del Galeón on June 22, 2026, for the inaugural Seafarer Social Summit. The landmark event was made possible through the strategic sponsorship of PTC and PHILCAMSAT, underscoring their commitment to elevating the lives and careers of Filipino global maritime professionals.

DMW Secretary Hans Leo J. Cacdac opened the summit, emphasizing the critical economic role of our crew, followed by a keynote from Catherine Logie of One Ocean and Lloyd’s Register on the Philippines’ global leadership.

The summit featured highly engaging sessions. Media personalities Susan Enriquez and Kuya Kim Atienza led vital discussions on financial literacy and mental wellness. Prominent maritime influencer and panelist C/E Mark Phillip “Chief Makoi” Laurilla served as one of the core champions of the summit, driving immense engagement among the attendees.

PTC and PHILCAMSAT leadership also took center stage to steer the industry conversation forward: Capt. Ronald Enrile, PTC Senior Adviser, shared crucial insights during his presentation on The Filipino Seafarer Today, while 3/E Marianne Camille Alpuerto and Capt. Pol Haboc of PHILCAMSAT led vital panels focusing on seafaring families and the future trajectory of the profession.

Global industry insights were shared by the Mission to Seafarers, alongside P&I clubs GARD, NorthStandard, and UK P&I. Peter Schellenberger also hosted a forward-looking session exploring how AI and digital transformation are reshaping ship operations.

Following closing remarks by Seafarer Social Founder Carl King, the event concluded with a thanksgiving dinner at Barbara’s in Intramuros. The inaugural summit successfully established an annual foundation to keep seafarers at the absolute center of global maritime progress.