SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
SENATE 
S.B. No. 1215 
Introduced by Senator Poe 
Explanatory Note 
13 
AUG -6 Am :31 
This bill seeks to create the National Seafarers Administration to look into and protect the 
interests and welfare of Filipino seafarers. 
A National Seamen Board was created in 1974 to develop and maintain a comprehensive 
program for Filipino Seafarers employed overseas. However, the Board was abolished in 1982 
with the creation of the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration under Executive Order 
No. 797 which has been empowered to formulate and undertake a systematic program for 
promoting and monitoring the overseas' employment of Filipino workers. The body is likewise 
mandated to protect the rights of migrant workers including seamen so that they can have fair 
and enjoy equitable employment practices. An Advisory Board for Seamen was also created 
which was composed of private sector to advise the Philippine Overseas Employment 
Administration on its overseas operations. 
While many commend the performance of the Philippine Overseas Employment 
Administration in protecting the rights and promoting the welfare of Filipino overseas workers, 
the overseas seamen continually claim that they have been overlooked by the government. The 
agency concerned may not be aware but the seafarers feel that they are not fully protected and 
their valid claims, not fully attended. The problems of these workers are so complicated that a 
government mechanism fully concentrating on the sea-based workers is necessary. 
This legislation is highlighted with the following good points: 
1. The creation of a special body on Filipino seafarers. It shall be called the National 
Seafarers Administration and an attached agency 
under the administrative 
supervision of the Department of Labor and Employment. 
2. The body shall be the centralized government agency that would attend to the entire 
needs of Filipino seafarers by providing them the necessary services, supervision, 
regulation and guidance in the pursuit of their profession prior, during and after their 
employment on board domestic as well as overseas trade and fishing vessels; 
3. The establishment shall be in full compliance also with an agreement of which the 
Philippines is a signatory: the International Maritime Organization Standards of 
Trainings, Certification, and watch Keeping for Seafarers, 1978 (lMO STCW-78) as 
Amended in 1995. This will ensure that from the point of view of safety oflife at sea 
and protection of the maritime environment, seafarers on board ships are qualified 
and fit for duties; 
4. With a law governing seafarers specifically, there will be an assurance of upgrading 
the knowledge and skills of Filipino seafarers in modern ships technologies so as to 
meet the increasing demand of domestic and foreign shipping companies for 
competent and trained seafarers; 


5. There will be a mechanism to revisit and globalize the education and curriculum on 
maritime, marine, and seamen education as well as the establishment of technical 
assistance and other linkages with the Commission on Higher Education (CHED). 
Approval of the Bill is strongly recommended. 


SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
SENi\.l...~ 
S.B. 
1~15 
Introduced by Senator Poe 
NACT 
~ermh 
'fll,; •• lllt< >""b. V 
'13 
l\UG -6 1\10 :31 
TO PROTECT THE INTERESTS AND WELFARE OF FILIPINO SEAMEN AND SEA-
BASED MIGRANT WORKERS, ESTABLISHING FOR THE PURPOSE A NATIONAL 
SEAFARERS ADMININISTRATION, APPROPRIATING FUNDS AND FOR OTHER 
PURPOSES 
This bill seeks to create the National Seafarers Administration to look into and protect the 
interests and welfare of Filipino seafarers. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled: 
SECTION 1. Title. - This act shall be known as the "Pilipinong Marino Act of2013" 
SECTION 2, Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared the policy of the State to 
afford full protection to labor, local and overseas, organized and unorganized, and promote full 
employment and equality of employment opportunities fOr all. 
Pursuant to the foregoing state policy, The Philippines, through this Act, shall consolidate 
and institutionalize the existing govermnent efforts in effecting meaningful programs on 
employment promotion, maritime manpower development and utilization, and welfare and 
seafarers integrated in one agency. 
SECTION 3. Creation of the National Seamen Administration. - There is hereby 
created a National Seafarers Administration, hereinafter referred to as the Administration, which 
shall be organized within sixty (60) days from the date of approval of this Act. 
The administration, as an attached agency, shall be under the administrative supervision 
of the department of labor and Employment. 
SECTION 4. Objectives. - the Administration shall have the following objectives: 
6. To establish and maintain a centralized govermnent agency that would attend to the 
entire needs of Filipino seafarers by providing them the necessary services, 
supervision, regulation and guidance in the pursuit of their profession prior, during 
and after their employment on board domestic as well as overseas trade and fishing 
vessels; 
7. To give full and complete effect to the International Maritime organization Standards 
of Trainings, certification, and watch Keeping for Seafarers, 1978 (IMO STCW-78) 
as amended in 1995 so as to ensure that from the point of view of safety of life at sea 
and protection of the maritime environment, seafarers on board ships are qualified 
and fir for duties; 


8. To develop, organize, maintain and operate an integrated mantlme manpower 
development system that would undertake the training, certification andlor licensing 
and qualification of Filipino seafarers in accordance with International maritime 
Organization standard of Training Certification and Watch keeping for Seafarers IMO 
STCW - 78 and International labor Organization (ILO) Conventions, governing pre-
employment qualification requirements and documentation for both domestic and 
overseas manning and fishing industries; 
9. To upgrade the knowledge and skill of Filipino seafarers in modern ships 
technologies so as to meet the increasing demand of domestic and foreign shipping 
companies for competent and trained seafarers; 
10. To promote skills training of Filipino seafarers in safety oflife and property at sea in 
order to minimize if not totally eradicate sea disasters which are attributed to human 
factors; 
11. To organize, maintain and operate an exclusive adjudication and welfare office for 
domestic as well as overseas seafarers and fishennen that would protect their welfare 
under just and humane conditions of work and wages, and promote a sound and stable 
manning industry; 
12. To establish, maintain and operate a seafarers market promotion and infonnation 
office which shall enhance employment opportunity to Filipino seafarers; 
13. To encourage and monitor foreign exchange receipts from the earnings if overseas 
Filipino seafarers and fishermen as a major contribution to the upliftment of our 
national economy in coordination with the Department of Finance and the bangko 
Sentral. 
14. To represent the Philippine Govermnent in all international and regional meetings, 
conferences andlor conventions concerning maritime labor, training and certification 
of seafarers; 
15. To keep under constant review all ungratified International and regional meetings, 
conferences andlor conventions concerning maritime labor, training and certification 
of seafarers; 
'., 
16. To provide technical assistance and other linkages with the Commission on higher 
Education (CHED) in all matters pertaining to education and training and skills 
development of seafarers. 
SECTION 5. General Powers and Functions of the adIl1inistration. -
The 
Administration shall have the power to regulate and supervise the manpower development and 
hiring Filipino seafarers by shipping companies, entitles or persons on board domestic as well as 
overseas trade vessels. 
SECTION 6. The Governing Board. - The Administration shall have a tripartite 
governing board hereinafter referred to as the Board which shall serve as the management and 
policy-making body. The Board shall be authorized to organize a Technical Working Committee 
on a pennanent or ad hoc basis. The Board shall be composed of nine (9) members to be 
appointed by the President: three (3) representatives from the Government Sector with the 
Secretary of the Department of labor and Employment as ex-officio Chainnan; three (3) 
representatives from the management sector, one of whom shall come from the association of 
ship owners in the overseas trade, another from the inter-islandl domestic ship-owners 
association and the last from the manning agent's association; and three (3) representatives from 
the labor sector, one of whom shall come from the unions of seafarers in the overseas trade, 


another from the unions of seafarers in the domestic trade and the last to be proposed by the 
above stated unions. 
The members of the board shall be entitled to a per diem of one thousand (Php 1,000.00) 
for actual attendance in meetings which shall not exceed two thousand pesos (php 2,000.00) per 
month. The members of the technical Working Committee shall be entitled to a per diem of five 
hundred pesos (php 500.00) for actual attendance in meetings but which shall not exceed two 
thousand pesos (Php 2,000.00) per month. 
SECTION 7. Powers and Functions of the Board. - The Board shall be the highest 
policy making-body of the Administration. It shall exercise overall administrative supervision 
over the Administration to insure the efficient implementation of policies and programs laid 
down by the Board. The Chairman shall appoint the officials and employees of the 
administration upon the recommendation of the Board and subsequent approval of the Civil 
Service Commission. The Board shall have the following functions: 
a) Promote and protect the rights and well-being of the Filipino sea based workers for 
domestic and overseas employment to fair and recruitment and employment practices; 
b) Regulate private sector participation in the recruitment and placement of domestic 
and overseas sea based workers by setting up a licensing and registration system; 
c) Formulate, in coordination with appropriate entities concerned, a system for 
promoting and monitoring the domestic and overseas employment of Filipino sea 
based workers taking into consideration their welfare and domestic manpower 
requirements; 
d) Exercise original and exclusive jurisdiction to hear and decide all arising out of an 
employee-employer relationship or by virtue of any law or contract involving Filipino 
sea based workers for domestic and overseas employment including disciplinary 
cases; and all pre-employment cases which are administrative in character involving 
or arising out of violation of the condition for issuance of license or authority to 
recruit workers/ All prohibited recruitment activities and practices defined by virtue 
of existing laws, shall be prosecuted in the regular courts in close coordination with 
the concerned departments or agencies; 
e) Promote the development of skills and careful selection of Filipino sea based workers 
for domestic and overseas employment; 
f) Undertake the overseas market development activities for placement of Filipino sea 
based workers; 
g) Secure the best terms and conditions of employment of Filipino sea based contract 
workers and ensure compliance therewith; and 
h) Establish and maintain close relationship and enter into joint projects with the 
Department of Foreign Affairs, Philippine Tourism Authority, Ninoy Aquino 
International Airport, Department of Justice, Department of Budget and Management 
and other relevant govemment entities, in the pursuit of its objectives. The Board 
shall also establish and maintain joint projects with private organizations, domestic or 
foreign, in the furtherance to its objectives. 
SECTION 8. General Powers and Functions of the Administrators and the Deputy 
administI"ator. 
(a) The Administrator ~ The administrator shall be the Chief Executive officer of the 
Administration and, in exercising his functions, shall establish and maintain close 


functional relationship with the bureau of Local Employment of the Department of 
la\:lor . and. Employment and other. government and private entities concerning 
manpower development and employment of seafarers in relation to the needs of the 
industries, and shall direct and supervise the overall operation of the Administration. 
The administrator shall have the following functions and duties: 
(1) Assume full responsibility of implementing the purpose and objective of the 
Administration; 
(2) Formulate, develop and subject to the approval of the Board, implement programs 
and measures that would effectively carry out the policies laid down by the 
Board; 
(3) Execute and administer all approved policies, programs and measures, and 
allocate appropriate resources for their operations; 
(4) Recommend to the board the appointment of all supervisory, technical, clerical 
and other personnel of the administration; 
(5) Represent the Administration in all its official transactions or dealings and to 
authorize with his signature legal contracts, annual reports, financial statements, 
correspondences and other documents; 
(6) Submit to the Board at the end of every calendar year an annual report on the 
operation ofthe Administration; and 
(7) Perfonn other duties and functions as may be authorized by law as directed by the 
Secretary of labor and Employment of his designated permanent representative; 
( a) The deputy administrator - The Deputy administrator shall be the assistance of the 
administrator in all matters pertaining to the overall operations of the Administration. He 
shall have the following duties and responsibilities: 
(1) Advise and assist the administrator in the formulation and implementation of 
policies and programs of the administration; 
(2) Evaluate the effectiveness of the Administration's organizational and 
functional systems in the rendition of an efficient delivery of services, and if 
necessary recommended appropriate measures to improve performances of 
cognizant offices in the Administration; 
(3) Oversee and coordinate the operational activities of the Administration, and 
shall be responsible to the Administrator for their economical but efficient and 
effective services; 
(4) Act as Chairman of the Personnel Selection and Promotions Board, and shall 
be responsible for the welfare, morale and discipline or personnel in the 
Administration; 
(5) As deputy to the Administrator, assume the powers, duties and responsibilities 
of the Administrator as may be authorized by law or as directed by his 
immediate superior; and 
(6) Perform such other duties and responsibilities as may be authorized by law or 
as directed by his immediate superior. 


SEC. 9. 
Functions of the Principal Offices. - For proper coordination and 
effective implementation of the purpose and objectives of the Administration, each principal 
subordinate office shall perform the following functions: 
(a) The Manpower Development Office - The Manpower Development Office shall 
implement policies and guidelines toward promotion of skills and professional 
competence of seafarers, and in the furtherance thereof, the office shall : 
(1) Develop and establish training standards for Filipino seafarers; 
(2) In coordination with concerned government agencies, accredit, regulate and 
supervise maritime training centers; 
(3) Issue Seafarers Identity document or Seaman's Service Record Book as 
prescribed by lLO Convention No. 108 and other rules and regulations 
governing the issuance of said document; 
(4) Issue certificates of proficiency and/or Endorsement of Certificates in 
conformity with IMO-ILO Convention on STCW-78, and lLO Convention 
Nos. 74 and 69, and other qualification requirements of the shipping 
industries, in coordination with the Marine Board of Examiners for Engine 
and deck Officers of the Professional Regulation Commission; 
(5) Establish and maintain a centralized registry of properly trained and certified 
. seafarers for 'domestic and overseas trade and fishing vessels; and 
(6) Perform such other functions as may be directed by the Administrator. 
(b) The Licensing, Accreditation and Placement Office - The Licensing, Accreditation and 
Placement Office shall undertake a systematic program of implementing the 
Administration's policies of ptomoting, regulating and monitoring the employment of 
seafarers as well as the operation of private manning agencies. Pursuant thereto, the 
offices shall: 
(1) Establish, operate and maintain a licensing and accreditation system to 
regulate the recruitment and the placement of seafarers in accordance with 
lLO Convention No.9 and in conformity with existing Philippine laws, rules 
and regulations governing employment of seafarers; 
(2) Process the application for licenses or authority to operate private manning 
agencies and supervise and regulate the operations of the said agency; 
(3) Prepare and implement an inspection program for the effective supervision 
and evaluation of the activities of private manning or shipping agencies; 
(4) Process all shipboard contracts and/or shipping articles, and secure the best 
possible terms and conditions of employment for seafaters; 
(5) Hear cases involving violations of rules and regulations on the recruitment 
and placement; violations of the conditions of licenses or authority including 
complaints for suspension and cancellation or revocation thereof, and 
recommend to the Administrator appropriate actions as deemed necessary; 
(6) Register and issue seamen's registration cards to all employable and qualified 
seafarers and fishermen desiring to be employed on board domestic as well as 
overseas trade and fishing vessels; and 


(7) Perform such other functions as may be directed by the Administrator. 
(c) The Welfare Office - The Welfare Office shall undertake measures to enhance the well-
being of seafarers. In this regard, it shall perform the following functions: 
(l) Conduct pre-departure orientation seminars or briefings to departing seafarers 
scheduled for employment. It shall also undertake studies and development 
. materials for use in pre-departure orientation seminar of seafarers and other 
related activities; 
(2) Accredit, regulate and supervise pre-departure orientation semmars or 
briefings of authorized manning or shipping agencies; 
(3) Formulate and undertake programs and projects for the effective and efficient 
utilization of seafarers welfare funds; 
(4) Provide services to assist the seafarers and their immediate dependents and 
families; and 
(5) Perform such other duties as may be directed by the Administrator. 
(d) The Adjudication Office. - The Adjudication Office shall undertake measures towards 
industrial peace. In this regard, it shall perform the following functions: 
(1) Establish and maintain a speedy and efficient conciliation and adjudication 
machinery, the resolution of which shall be made in every case within thirty 
(30) days from submission thereof; 
(2) Exercise exclusive jurisdiction over all cases involving seafarers employer-
employee relationship including money claims of both parties: PrOVided, That 
each case shall be decided within ninety (90) days from the time the issues are 
joined or from the date of filing of said Claim; 
(3) Hear complaints and/or adjudicate cases or illegal recruitment or exaction of 
excessive employment fees: Provided, That each case shall be disposed of 
within sixty (60) days from the filing thereof; and 
(4) Perform such other duties as may be directed by the Administrator. 
(e) The Research, Standard and Marketing Development Office - The Research, Standard 
and Marketing Development Office shall formulate, develop, and implement a 
comprehensive maritime manpower export development and market promotion strategies 
geared towards enhancement of seafarer's employment opportunities in domestic and 
overseas markets. In furtherance thereto, it shall perform the following functions: 
(l) Conduct researches, studies and statistics on the trend and other data on both 
domestic and overseas shipping, and manning industries for use as materials 
in policy formulate, market promotion and manpower' development program; 
(2) Based on researches and studies, formulate and develop standards for the 
Administration's manning offices; 
(3) Provide appropriate data and statistics m the formulation of plans and 
programs of the Administrations; 


(4) Provide support services and materials for the reproductions and publication 
of all printed materials of the Administration; 
(5) Develop, establish and maintain a public information system and such 
facilities 
that 
would 
educate 
and 
orient 
seafarers 
regarding 
the 
Administration's policies, programs, and activities affecting their professions; 
and 
(6) Perform such other functions as may be directed by the Administration. 
(f) The Administrative Office - The Administrative Office shall be responsible for providing 
the Administration with services relating to personnel information, records, supplies, 
equipment, collection and disbursements, security and custodial works. It shall provide 
the Administration with staff advice and assistance on budgetary, financial and 
management matters. 
SEC. 10. 
Organization and Functions of Field Offices. - Whenever it becomes 
necessary for the Administration to expand its operation to major seaports or outports, it shall 
establish such number of field offices which shall be the operating arm of the Administration in 
those areas. These field offices shall assume the responsibilities of implementing and 
administering the function of the Administration at those levels and the location, composition, 
organization and functional requirements of the field offices shall be determined by the Secretary 
of Department of Labor and Employment upon the recommendation of the Administration. 
SEC. 11. 
Staffing Pattern. - The organizational framework and staffing pattern of 
the Administration shall be prescribed and approved by the Secretary of Labor and Employment 
within sixty (60) days after the approval of this Act. The compensation plan of the 
Administration shall at least be patterned after that of the Philippine Overseas Employment 
Administration. 
With regard to appointments to positions in the approved staffing pattern, optimum 
consideration shall be made conforming to the objective of setting up and maintaining in the 
Administration the highest standards of integrity, efficiency and competence. 
In addition to other forms of incentive that may be granted by the Board, all personnel of 
the Administration shall be entitled to the benefits normally accorded to government employees. 
SEC. 12. 
Special Provisions. -
In implementing the provisions of this Act, the 
Administration may call upon the government agency or instrumentality for technical and 
personnel assistance. And in order to strengthen its coordinative functions, the Administration 
shall hire and train appropriate technical personnel which may be assigned to other goverument 
agencies involved in the implementatiotl of laws, rules and regulations relative to the operations 
of the Administration. 
SEC. 13. 
Transitory Provisions. - The Maritime Training Council, and all offices, 
departments, branches, divisions or sections of the Philippine Overseas Employment 
Administration, Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, the Maritime Industry Authority, the 
Philippine Coast Guard, and the Marine Board of Examiners for Engine and Deck of the 
Professional Regulation Commission under Presidential Decree No. 97, as amended, Maritime 
Section of the Commission on Higher Education, Maritime Section on National 
Telecommunication Commission, and other government agencies and instrumentalities 
performing any of the functions provided for under paragraphs "a" and "e" and each of the 
subparagraphs therein of Section 11 of this Act are hereby transferred with their personnel, 
records, files, supplies, vehicles, equipment, furnitures, funds and other properties to the National 
Seafarers Administration. 


For purposes of affecting a smooth, orderly and expeditious organizational and functional 
transition period, the following shall among others govern such undertakings: 
(a) The Administration shall coordinate with agencies and instrumentalities mentioned in 
this Section in order to minimize the disruptio!\ of the usual services being rendered 
to the public and its clientele; 
(b) Officials and employees of all agencies concerned shall not be deprived of re-
employment to the Administration nor shall there be a diminution in their ranks or 
salaries, unless a contrary existing law so provides; and 
( c) Employees affected by the creation of the Administration shall be given preference 
for appointment in the Administration on the basis of merit and fitness: Provided, 
That those who may be iaid off for cause or by option of voluntary phase out, shall be 
given gratuity equivalent to one (1) month's salary for every year of service, in 
addition to all benefits to which they are entitled under existing laws and regulations. 
SEC. 14. 
Penal Provisions. - Any person, association, corporation or entity who 
violates any provisions of this Act, or the rules and regulations mad thereof shall upon conviction 
be punished or fined in accordance to the degree of offense as the court or adjudicating 
administration may impose in accordance with existing civil or penal laws of the Philippines: 
Provided. That in case the violation is committed by an aSSOCiation, corporation or entity, the 
penalty shall be imposed on the responsible officers, directors, andlor owner of the said entities: 
Provided finally, That nothing in this Act shall prevent the National Seafarers Administration 
from instituting administration penalties for violations of any regulations that it may promulgate. 
SEC. 15. 
Appropriations .• The amount necessary for the implementation of this 
Act shall be taken from the funds of all offices, departments, branches, divisions or sections of 
the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration, the Maritime Industry Authority, the 
Maritime Training Council, the Philippine Navy, and the Marine Board of Examiners for Engine 
and Deck of the Professional Regulation Commission under Presidential Decree No. 97, as 
amended, and other government agencies and instrumentalities performing any of the functions 
and programs provided for this Act. Thereafter such sums as may be needed for the operation 
and maintenance of the Administration shall be included in the annual General Appropriations 
Act. 
SEC. 16. 
Repealing Clause. - AIl laws, ordinances, rules and regulations, and other 
issuances or parts thereof which are inconsistent with this Act, are hereby repealed or modified 
accordingly. 
SEC. 17. 
Separability Clause. - If for any reason any section or provision of this 
Act is declared unconstitutional or invalid, the other sections or provisions thereof, shall not be 
affected thereby. 
SEC. 18. 
Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect upon its complete publication in at 
least two (2) national newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved,