14 September 2015 - The Philippine Embassy in Berlin has so far registered a total of 222 Filipino seafarers in the first ever “Akyat-Barko” program for 2015, arranged in cooperation with AIDA Cruises, the most recognized brand in the German market for sea voyages.
The Human Resources (HR) Management of AIDA Cruises agreed to have the Philippine Embassy set up mobile overseas voter (OV) registration centers on board four of their cruise ships as they disembark on pre-identified German ports.
Philippine Ambassador to Germany Melita Sta-Maria Thomeczek led the Philippine Embassy Team in holding a mobile OV registration area onboard the AIDA Mar as it docked at the Port of Rostock on September 05. 52 Filipino seafarers successfully registered for overseas voting, as the Embassy learned that many of the Filipino crew have already registered when their ship docked in Lisbon, Portugal.
Previously, the Philippine Embassy in Berlin sent out two teams to register Filipino seafarers at the Ports of Kiel and Rostock.
The first team, led by Consul Adrian Cruz, was able to set up two mobile registration centers while the ships AIDA Luna and Mein Schiff 4 were docked at the Port of Kiel on August 22. A total of 103 Filipino seafarers registered. In this campaign the Embassy team also partnered with the non-profit organization Seafarer’s Lounge Kiel.
The second team, led by Consul Rona Goce, registered 67 Filipino seafarers on board AIDA Diva at the Port of Rostock on August 26.
The final “Akyat-Barko” activity is set to take place on September 19 with Consul General Donna Rodriguez leading the Embassy team in registering Filipino seafarers on board AIDA Kira. END