International Women's Day, 8th March, 2017

In honour of International Women's day we are happy to share a short interview with Port Manager Mrs. Noeme Calderon, Galilee International Management Institute’s graduate from Nov. 2014, represented the Philippine Ports Authority in the international programme “Port Senior Management” together with 26 other senior managers from: Bulgaria, Djibouti, Ghana, India, Latvia Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, USA . Port Manager Mrs. Calderon was able to join our programme thanks to the generous scholarship provided by the International Maritime Organization (IMO).

Port Manager Mrs. Noeme Calderon tells her story about being a women in the PPA. The first steps were not easy but she is happy to say that after 23 years she finally broke down the barrier: “When I started working in PPA, women were not accepted to Port Operations’ positions. Even as an engineer, with better qualifications than most men, I was still only classified as a Statistical Assistant. While given more additional jobs than most men, including that of Acting Commercial Development Officer and Acting Executive Assistant, the men were promoted to higher positions. When I was promoted to Safety Engineer position, I approached my Port Manager and asked to be a Terminal Operations Officer with the same salary grade as Safety Engineer. I was flatly denied because he said that "the port is a dangerous place for women.“

It took 23 years before I finally breached the barrier. I was eventually appointed as Terminal Supervisor because I was willing to be demoted from my then Resource Management Division Manager position. I became Port Manager only after I had proved myself. Now there are already 6 women Port Managers, although it is still less than the 19 male Port Managers.”
When Mrs. Noeme Calderon talks about the challenges and motivation, she describes an interactive and physical kind of job. A job in which the results of your actions can be readily observed, including dealing with cargo handling, berth allocation, labour productivity, port safety and security, environmental protection and port development. “My motivation is that I feel I can make a difference: making cargo handling more efficient and my port more productive“.

Mrs. Noeme Calderon's view concerning the knowledge and skills required to be a Port Manager are: “being kind, yet tough. Another trait that I find necessary is credibility, and part of being credible is knowing the job and having the moral authority to demand what you want to be done. My various assignments have helped augment my knowledge in almost all aspects of port management“.

When she is asked about the benefits she replies: “I have met and interacted with different types of people, travelled to different ports all over the country and have has the opportunity to travel abroad. Most importantly it is an honour and privilege to be working with the Philippine Ports Authority, reputed to be a well-run government agency in the Philippines.”

Mrs. Noeme Calderon earned two National Awards: Productivity and Efficiency Award from PPA in 1990 that later on also won the PAG-ASA Award (HOPE Award) of the Civil Service Commission.

According to her the studies in Galilee International Management Institute exposed her to the latest trends in shipping, port development, management and operations. She learned about the future development of ports and the shipping industry as well as skills in problem solving using financial tools.

Project Management was also very helpful in preparing project proposals and even assist her when she revised the Master Plan for the Port of Ozamiz.

Mrs. Noeme Calderon attributes also to her participation in GIMI’s programme the fact that she was elected for UNCTAD Train for Trade Port Training of Trainers Course (English Speaking Network) in Modern Port Management in Dublin, Ireland.
"Upon completion of the training, we will serve as local instructors of PPA for the same course to be conducted in the Philippines".

Mrs. Calderon conclude by advising the young workers who are interested in a career in port management with advice “If they want to grow professionally,” she said “they must always do their job to the very best of their abilities, whatever position they are in. They must be reliable, team players, innovative and with a positive attitude. They need to accept additional job assignments because whatever learnt will always remain useful”.

Thank you Port Manager Mrs. Noeme Calderon for a most interesting and educative interview. We wish you lots of success in all of your ventures and we look forward to staying in touch.