Auspicious as “Double 10” (October 10), WMOC inaugurated a new 278-sqmtr office, almost tripling present facility, combined with its offices at Marc 2000 (inaugurated June 15th last year with Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso as principal guest.)

The new offices are at the second floor of the 1963 Minerva Building, Taft Avenue, Malate, Manila. Ribbon-cutting ceremonies were headed by WMOC Pres. Rachelle Orquiza, VP Noli Lopez and MW publisher Lyn Bacani.

Holy Mass followed, then blessings of facility. Prominent guests include C/E Artemio Serafico President, TSM Maritime Services Phils; Capt. Gregory Nick Sevilla, Avior Marine Managing Director and Mr. Russel Baja, Fastcat Project Manager; MMS Phil Maritime and Multinational Maritime (MMI) of Meiji Shipping Group sent flowers.

More services.

WMOC Documentation Services is essentially still on for Panama flag state license and endorsements; Marshall Islands flag state license/endorsements; Accreditations for Maritime Training Centers and Shipboard training for cadet internship.

It is now under Worldwide Maritime Operations Co. (WMOC) Group of Companies, with WMOC Medical and Diagnostic Clinic (for RT-PCR Covid19 swab test).

The clinic is accredited by St. Luke’s Medical Center – Global City; Lung Center of the Philippines; Asian Hospital and Medical Center and Delos Santos Medical Center. It conducts on-site swab testing, aboard vessels with its mobile van.

The WMOC Molecular Center will soon be operational as a molecular laboratory COVID-19 testing facility.

Always the best.

Pres. Orquiza is aware some seafarers are victimized by unethical operations on swab testing, as pedestrian as those doing home service like manicure and pedicure. She demands accurate results, like those used in Washington USA of 99.9% accuracy and results released in 1 to 2 hours even on a batch of 90 specimens.

This may be as the GeneXpert Instrument Systems which automates and integrates sample preparation, nucleic acid extraction and amplification, and detection of the target sequences in simple or complex samples using real-time PCR assays.

The systems consist of an instrument, computer, and preloaded software for running tests and viewing the results. The systems require the use of single-use disposable cartridges that hold the RT-PCR reagents and host the RT-PCR process. Because the cartridges are self-contained, cross-contamination between samples is minimized.

Verify.

To ascertain things, one may call the WMOC hotlines: +(63) 920-5033408, +(63) 915-8454289, +(63) 2-5310-1375. Its mission is to bridge the gap among Sea-work professionals, Manning Agencies, and Flag State authorities.

The aim is “… to help Filipino seafarers in every possible way we can through our existing and envisioned services and to provide career opportunities and expedite the process of acquiring them.”

Prime mover.

Pres. Orquiza is skilled in Operations Management, Maritime Operations, Inspection, International Shipping and Maritime. She holds a degree from Far Eastern Univ-MassComm where she published articles.

Orquiza was Managing Director for Worldwide Maritime Operations Company, four years providing Onboard Security for vessels transiting high risk areas.

In 2005, she transferred to WMOC Documentation Services which facilitates Licenses and Endorsements for seafarers for Panama, Marshall Islands, Liberia and other flag states, documentations for Change of Flag, Inspections and related services.

Sincerity.

Clients testify to Ms. Rachelle’s quick solutions to their problems; she is always on call. Small wonder that in a male-dominated industry as maritime is, she holds her own at the top.

For not only ready to serve, she can also pierce through opportunities. Like when piracy was the bane of seafarers, she established the business of armed guard aboard vessels. Now with the pandemic demon, she invests on expensive but accurate (with fast results) equipment to help seafarers obtain health certifications in record time.

CSR practitioner.

Orquiza’s core is best appreciated looking at WMOC’s corporate social responsibility (CSR). There is no politics nor hidden agenda in her charity, just the goodwill to help:

• As the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) pushes the poor, Ms. Rachelle had arranged with Capt. Gregory Sevilla and Coast Guard complement to deliver relief goods, mostly canned food, to the disadvantaged.
• With Coast Guard Commandant George V. Ursabia Jr., she distributed packed relief goods at the Navotas Fisheries Port Complex. The retired Vice Admiral was glad to authorize the use of the vessel, CGSS Navotas, to carry the goods.
• Instead of celebrating her 44th birthday, she decided to give out over 1,000 packs of necessities for the urban poor. 
• (But, she is frank and livid against politicians who practically grab food from hungry constituents by unconscionable acts of graft and corruption.)

Pride at work.    

The staff is also inspired working in an environ of excellence. They are unrecognized “assets” of seafarers who are heroes keeping the logistics chain humming. The personnel are patient and cooperative, more so to seafarers stranded during repatriations and community quarantines.

WMOC even leased a half-way facility near the office to shelter staff during community quarantines to continue operations serving seafarers and the industry. The impact of this gesture may be seen in the solid patronage of WMOC by grateful beneficiaries.

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