The Mariners' Home, a joint venture of the Associated Marine Officers' and Seamen's Union of the Philippines (AMOSUP) and All Japan Seaman's Union (AJSU), was inaugurated on January 23 in Malate, Manila.

The inauguration ceremony started with the ribbon cutting led by President Gloria Arroyo, together with AJSU President Captain Sakae Idemoto; Manila Mayor Lito Atienza; Ryuichiro Yamazaki, Ambassador of Japan; and Secretary Patricia Sto. Tomas of the Department of Labor and Employment.

Capt. Idemoto, in his welcome remarks, highlighted his appreciation to the efforts of AMOSUP President Gregorio Oca for his "tremendous collaboration" on the project.

Idemoto said the Mariners' Home, which aims to provide a temporary shelter to seafarers who are disembarking and/or processing their deployment documents, would serve as "a symbol of strong friendship between the Philippines and Japan."

Idemoto elicited chuckles in the crowd when he congratulated the Filipino people for the victory of Manny Pacquiao against Mexican Erik Morales.

Meanwhile, Mayor Atienza commended the people behind the new facility as he affirmed his full support to the maritime industry.

He also described the Filipino seafarers as the "pillars of the country's economic march to progress," acknowledging their dollar remittances.

Japanese Ambassador Yamazaki, meanwhile, described the Mariners' Home as an "ideal stop-over" of both Filipino and Japanese seafarers.

Secretary Sto. Tomas praised the new facility, saying world-class Filipino seafarers deserve a world-class hotel.

The inauguration ceremony was participated by at least 300 officials coming from different maritime agencies.

Television host Paolo Bediones was the Master of Ceremonies.

The Mariners' Home has 171 bed-capacity, separate bathrooms for female seafarers/visitors, a conference room, and a restaurant.

Seafarers, who are AMOSUP and AJSU members, can enjoy their stay in the new facility on a subsidized amount.