Magna carta for seafarers certified as urgent welcomed

Senators welcomed the move of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to certify as urgent a proposed measure crafting a Magna Carta for seafarers.

Senator Raffy Tulfo, the sponsor of Senate Bill 2221 otherwise known as the Magna Carta of Filipino Seafarers, said the passage of the proposed measure will promote the welfare and continuous employment of seafarers on board foreign-owned vessels.

"I am very happy that we have passed the first phase of the period of amendments for the Magna Carta of Filipino Seafarers bill yesterday (25 Sept), which coincides with the celebration of the National Maritime Week," he said.

In a letter to Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri dated 25 September, Marcos emphasized the need for the immediate enactment of SB 2221 to address "recurring deficiencies in our domestic laws pertaining to the training and accreditation of thousands of Filipino seafarers."

Tulfo expressed confidence that the bill will soon be passed into law.

"Matapos ang unang stage ng period of amendment at ang suportang ito mula mismo kay Pangulong BBM, mas tiwala ako na mapapabilis ang pagsasabatas ng Magna Carta of Filipino Seafarers bill," he said, as he rallied for the need to address shortcomings in the education and certification of Filipino mariners.

Among other lawmakers who filed their versions of the Magna Carta of Filipino Seafarers include Senators Joel Villanueva, Risa Hontiveros, Bato dela Rosa, Jinggoy Estrada, Robinhood Padilla, Cynthia Villar, Sonny Angara, Grace Poe, Win Gatchalian, Bong Revilla, Christopher Bong Go, Mark Villar, Loren Legarda, and Zubiri.

Go, vice chairman of the Senate Committee on Migrant Workers earlier cited the significant role of Filipino seafarers in global trade and marine transportation.

He noted the industry's huge contribution of all overseas Filipino workers to the country's economy.

Go said the Philippines has been the primary source of maritime labor and considered the manning capital of seafarers globally since 1987.

Of the 1.5 million mariners worldwide, 25 percent are Filipino sea-based workers, making them the single biggest nationality bloc in the maritime industry, he added.

Hence, the passage of a proposed Magna Carta for the Seafarer must be crucial "for protecting the rights and welfare of seafarers in situations where they are vulnerable or exploited, such as during emergencies, accidents, or conflicts," said Go.