SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES) 
First Regular Session 
) 
SENATE 
S.B. No.1998 
Introduced by SENATOR CYNTHIA A. VILLAR 
----~~~ 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
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GEC -4 P 3 :20 
This bill seeks to create the· National Seafarers Administration to look into and 
protect the interest and welfare of Filipino seamen working overseas. 
A National Seamen Board ("Board") was created in 1974 to develop and maintain 
a comprehensive program for Filipino Seafarers employed overseas. However, with the 
creation of the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration ("POEA") under 
Executive Order No. 797 in 1982, the Board was abolished in 1982. Under E.O. No. 
797, the POEA has the power to formulate and undertake a systematic program for 
promoting and monitoring the overseas employment of Filipino workers, both land-
based and sea-based. The POEA also has the duty to protect their rights to fair and 
equitable employment practices. 
While the performance of the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration in 
protecting the rights and promoting the welfare of Filipino overseas workers is 
commendable, there are still claims that the overseas seamen are overlooked by the 
government and that their rights are not fully protected. Considering the nature of their 
work, the problems encountered by overseas seamen are very much different from 
those of land-based overseas workers. Such problems are so complicated that a body 
fully concentrating on the sea-based workers, both overseas and domestic, is 
necessary. 
With the aim of consolidating and maximizing all government efforts to effect 
meaningful advancement in the plight of Filipino seafarers, this bill thus seeks to create 
a National Seafarers Administration. 
Approval of the Bill is strongly recommended. 
j /7' U 
/C~~H~A.V~ 


SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES) 
First Regular Session 
) 
SENATE 
S.B. No1998 
Introduced by SENATOR CYNTHIA A. VillAR 
_. -_ 
... --.. ~-~ 
AN ACT 
·13 
[lEe -4 P 3 :ZO 
TO PROMOTE THE WELFARE OF FILIPINO SEA-BASED OVERSEAS WORKERS, 
CREATING FOR THIS PURPOSE THE NATIONAL SEAFARERS ADMINISTRATION, 
PRESCRIBING ITS POWERS AND FUNCTIONS AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS 
THEREFORE, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
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 "National Seafarers 
Administration Act of 2013" 
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 government efforts in affecting meaningful programs on 
employment promotion, maritime manpower development and utilization, and welfare and 
seafarers integrated in one agency. 
SECTION 3. Creation of the National Seafarers 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: 
a) To establish and maintain a centralized government agency that shall attend to the 
needs of Filipino seafarers, 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; 
b) To give full and complete effect to the International Maritime Organization Standards 
of Trainings, Certification, and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, 1978 (IMO STCW-78), 
as amended, so as to ensure that from the point of view of s'afety of life at sea and 
protection of the maritime environment, seafarers on board ships are qualified and fit 
for duties; 
c) To develop, organize, maintain, and operate an integrated maritime manpower 
development system that would undertake the education, training, certification, 
licensing, and qualification of Filipino seafarers in accordance with IMO STCW-78, 
as amended, and International labor Organization (llO) Conventions, governing pre-


1 
employment qualification requirements and documentation for both domestic and 
2 
overseas manning and fishing industries; 
3 
d) To upgrade the knowledge and skill of Filipino seafarers in modern ship technologies 
4 
so as to meet the increasing demand of domestic and foreign shipping companies for 
5 
competent and trained seafarers; 
. 
6 
e) To promote skills training of Filipino seafarers in the safety of life and property at sea 
7 
in order to minimize, if not totally eradicate, sea disasters attributable to human 
X 
factors; 
9 
f) 
To organize, maintain and operate an exclusive adjudication and welfare office for 
10 
domestic and overseas seafarers and fishermen that would protect their welfare 
11 
under just and humane conditions of work and wages, and promote a sound and 
12 
stable manning industry; 
13 
g) To establish, maintain and operate a seafarers market promotion and information 
14 
office, which shall enhance employment opportunity for Filipino seafarers; 
15 
h) To encourage and monitor foreign exchange receipts from the earnings of overseas 
16 
Filipino seafarers and fishermen as a major contribution to the upliftment of our 
17 
national economy in coordination with the Department of Finance and Bangko 
18 
Sentral ng Pilipinas. 
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i) 
To represent the Philippine Government in all international and regional meetings, 
20 
conferences, and conventions concerning maritime labor, training, and certification of 
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seafarers; and 
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j) 
To provide technical assistance and other linkages with the Commission on Higher 
23 
Education (CHED) in all matters pertaining to education and training and skills 
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development of seafarers. 
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SECTION 5, General Powers and Functions of the Administration. -
The 
26 
Administration shall have the power to regulate and supervise the manpower development and 
27 
hiring of Filipino seafarers by shipping companies, entities, or individuals on board domestic and 
28 
overseas trade vessels. 
29 
SECTION 6. The Governing Board. -
The Administration shall have a tripartite 
30 
governing board hereinafter referred to as the Board, which shall serve as the management and 
31 
policy-making body of the Administration. 
32 
The Board shall be authorized to organize a Technical Working Committee ("TWC") on a 
33 
permanent or ad hoc basis. The Board shall be composed of nine (9) members to be appointed 
34 
by the President with the following composition: 
35 
a) Three (3) representatives from the government sector with the Secretary of Labor 
36 
and Employment as ex-officio Chairman; 
37 
b) Three (3) representatives from the management sector, one of whom shall come 
38 
from the association of ship owners in the overseas trade, another from the inter-
39 
island/domestic ship owners association and the last from the manning agents 
40 
association; and 
41 
c) Three (3) representatives from the labor sector, one of whom shall come from the 
42 
unions of seafarers in the overseas trade, another from the unions of seafarers in 
43 
the domestic trade and the last to be proposed by the above-stated unions. 
44 
The members of the board shall be entitled to a per diem of one thousand pesos (Php 
45 
1,000.00) based on actual attendance in meetings, which shall not exceed two thousand pesos 
4(, 
(Php 2,000.00) per month. 
2 


1 
The members of the TWC shall be entitled to a per diem of five hundred pesos (Php 
2 
500.00) for actual attendance in meetings but which shall not exceed two thousand pesos (Php 
3 
2,000.00) per month. 
4 
SECTION 7. Powers and Functions of the Board. - The Board shall be the highest 
5 
policy-making body of the Administration. It shall exercise overall administrative supervision 
6 
over the Administration to insure efficient implementation of policies and programs laid down by 
7 
the Board. 
X 
The Chairman shall appoint the offiCials and employees of the Administration upon the 
9 
recommendation of the Board and subsequent approval of the Civil Service Commission. The 
10 
Board shall have the following functions: 
11 
a) Promote and protect the rights and well-being of the Filipino sea-based workers for 
12 
domestic and overseas employment to fair and recruitment and employment 
13 
practices; 
14 
b) Regulate private sector participation in the recruitment and placement of domestic 
15 
and overseas sea-based workers by setting up a licensing and registration system; 
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c) Formulate, in coordination with appropriate entities concerned, a system for 
17 
promoting and monitoring the domestic and overseas employment of Filipino sea-
l ~ 
based workers taking into consideration their welfare and domestic manpower 
19 
requirements; 
20 
d) Exercise original and exclusive jurisdiction over the following: 
21 
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i. 
To hear and decide all issues arising out of employee-employer relationship 
or by virtue of any law or contract involving Filipino sea-based workers for 
domestic and overseas employment including, but not limited to, disciplinary 
cases; and 
25 
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ii. 
All pre-employment cases that are administrative in character involving or 
arising out of any violation of the conditions for issuance of license or 
authority to recruit workers. 
28 
All prohibited recruitment activities and practices defined by virtue of existing laws, 
29 
shall be prosecuted in the regular courts in close coordination with the concerned 
30 
departments or agencies; 
31 
e) Promote the development of skills and careful selection of Filipino sea-based 
32 
workers for domestic and overseas employment; 
33 
f) 
Undertake the overseas market development activities for placement of Filipino sea-
34 
based workers; 
35 
g) Secure the best terms and conditions of employment of Filipino sea-based contract 
36 
workers and ensure compliance therewith; and 
37 
h) Establish and maintain close relationship and enter into joint projects with the 
Jil 
Department of Foreign Affairs, Philippine Tourism Authority, 
Ninoy Aquino 
39 
International Airport, Department of Justice, Department of Budget and Management 
40 
and other relevant government entities, in the pursuit of its objectives. The Board 
41 
shall also establish and maintain joint projects with private organizations, domestic or 
42 
foreign, in the furtherance to its objectives. 
43 
SECTION 8. General Powers and Functions of the Administrators and the Deputy 
44 
administrator. -
45 
a) Administrator -
The administrator shall be the Chief Executive officer of the 
46 
Administration and, in exercising his functions, shall establish and maintain close 
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functional relationship with the bureau of Local Employment of the Department of 
Labor 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. 
In this connection,Jhe administrator shall have the following functions and duties: 
i. 
Assume full responsibility of implementing the purpose and objectives of the 
Administration; 
ii. 
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; 
iii. 
Execute and administer all approved policies, programs, and measures, and 
allocate appropriate resources for their operations; 
iv. 
Recommend to the Board the' apPointment of all supervisory, technical, 
clerical and other personnel of the Administration; 
v. 
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; 
vi. 
Submit to the Board at the end of every calendar year all annual report on the. 
operations of the Administration; and 
vii. 
Perform other duties and functions as may be authorized by law and as 
directed by the Secretary of Labor and Employment or his designated 
permanent representative; 
b) Deputy Administrator - The deputy administrator shall assist the administrator in all 
matters pertaining to the overall operations of the Administration. He shall have the 
following duties and responsibilities: 
i. 
Advise and assist the administrator. in the formulation and implementation of 
policies and programs of the administration; 
ii. 
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; 
iii. 
Oversee and coordinate the operational activities of the Administration. The 
deputy administrator shall be responsible to the administrator for their 
economical but efficient and effective services; 
iv. 
Act as Chairman of the Personnel Selection and Promotions Board, and shall 
be responsible for the welfare, morale, and discipline of the personnel in the 
Administration; 
v. 
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 
vi. 
Perform such other duties and responsibilities as may be authorized by law or 
as directed by his immediate superior. 
43 
SEC. 9. 
Functions of the Principal Offices. - For proper coordination and 
44 
effective implementation of the purpose and objectives of the Administration, each principal 
45 
subordinate office shall perform the following functions: 
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a) Manpower Development Office (MOO) - The MOO shall im'plement policies and' 
guidelines toward promotion of skills and professional competence of seafarers, and 
in furtherance thereof, the office shall: 
i. 
Develop and establish training standards for Filipino seafarers; 
ii. 
In coordination with concerned government agencies, accredit, regulate, and 
supervise maritime training centers; 
iii. 
Issue Seafarers Identity document or Seaman's Service Record Book as 
prescribed by ILO Convention No, 1 DB and other rules and regulations 
governing the issuance of said document; 
iv, 
Issue certificates of proficiency and/or Endorsement of Certificates in 
conformity with IMO-ILO Convention on STCW-7B, and ILO 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; 
v, 
Establish and maintain a centralized registry of properly trained and certified 
seafarers for domestic and overseas trade and fishing vessels; and 
vi. 
Perform such other functions as may be directed by the Administrator, 
b) Licensing, Accreditation and Placement Office (LAPO) - The LAPO shall undertake a 
systematic program of implementing the Administration's policies of promoting, 
regulating, and monitoring the employment of seafarers as well as the operation of 
private manning agencies, Pursuant thereto, the offices shall: 
i. 
Establish, operate, and maintain a licensing and accreditation system to 
regulate the recruitment and the placement of seafarers in accordance with 
ILO Convention No, 9 and in conformity with existing Philippine laws, rules, 
and regulations governing the employment of seafarers; 
ii. 
Process the application for licenses or authority to operate private manning 
agencies and supervise and regulate the operations of the said agency; 
iii. 
Prepare and implement an inspection program for the effective supervision 
and evaluation of the activities of private manning or shipping agencies; 
iv, 
Process all shipboard contracts and/or shipping articles, and secure the best 
possible terms and conditions of employment for seafarers; 
v, 
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 it may deem 
necessary; 
vi. 
vii. 
Register and issue seamen's registration cards to aI/ employable and 
qualified seafarers and fishermen desiring to be employed on board domestic 
as well as overseas trade and fishing vessels; and 
Perform such other functions as may be directed by the administrator, 
c) Welfare Office (WO) - The WO shall undertake measures to enhance the well-being 
of seafarers, In this regard, it shall perform the following functions: 
i. 
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; 
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ii. 
Accredit, regulate, and supervise pre-departure orientation seminars or 
briefings of authorized manning or shipping agencies; 
iii. 
Formulate and undertake programs and projects for the effective and efficient 
utilization of seafarers welfare funds; 
iv. 
Provide services to assist the seafarers and their immediate dependents and 
families; and 
v. 
Perform such other duties as may be directed by the administrator. 
d) Adjudication Office lAO) - The AO shall undertake measures toward industrial peace 
and shall stand as the adjudication arm of the Administration. In this regard, it shall 
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. 
e) Research, Standard, and Marketing Development Office IRSMDO) - The RSMDO 
shall formulate, develop, and implement a comprehensive. maritime manpower 
export development and market promotion strategies geared towards enhancement 
of seafarers' employment opportunities in domestic and overseas markets. In 
furtherance thereto, it shall perform the following functions: 
i. 
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; 
ii. 
Based on researches and studies, formulate and develop standards for the 
Administration's manning offices; 
iii. 
Provide appropriate data and statistics in the formulation of plans and 
programs of the Administrations; 
iv. 
Provide support services and materials for the reproductions and publication 
of all printed materials of the Administration; 
v. 
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 
vi. 
Perform such other functions as may be directed by the'Administration. 
f) 
Administrative Office (AdO) - The AdO 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. 
38 
SEC. 10. 
Organization and Functions of Field Offices. - Whenever it becomes 
39 
necessary for the Administration to expand its operation to major seaports or outports, it shall 
40 
establish such number of field offices which shall be the operating ann of the Administration in 
41 
those areas. These field offices shall assume the responsibilities of implementing and 
42 
administering the functions of the Administration at those levels and the location, composition, 
43 
organization, and functional requirements of the field offices shall be determined by the 
44 
Secretary of Labor and Employment upon the recommendation of the Administration. 
45 
SEC. 11. 
Staffing Pattern. - The organizational framework and staffing pattern of 
46 
the Administration shall be prescribed and approved by the Secretary of Labor and Employment 
47 
within sixty (60) days after the approval of this Act. The compensation plan of the Administration 
6 


I 
shall at least be patterned after that of the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration 
2 
(POEA). 
3 
With regard to appointments to positions in the approved staffing pattern, optimum 
4 
consideration shall be made conforming to the objective of setting up and maintaining in the 
5 
Administration the highest standards of integrity, efficiency, and competence. 
() 
In addition to oUler forms of incentive that may be granted by the Board, all personnel of 
7 
the Administration shall be entitled to the benefits normally accorded to government employees. 
X 
SEC. 
12. 
Special Provisions. -
In implementing the provIsions of this Act, the 
9 
Administration may call upon the government agency or instrumentality for technical and 
10 
personnel assistance. And in order to strengthen its coordinative functions, the Administration 
11 
shall hire and train appropriate technical personnel which may be assigned to other government 
12 
agencies involved in the implementation of laws, rules and regulations relative to the operations 
13 
of the Administration. 
14 
SEC. 13. 
Transitory Provisions. - The Maritime Training Council, and all offices, 
15 
departments, branches, divisions, or sections of the POEA, Overseas Workers Welfare 
16 
Administration, the Maritime Industry Authority, the Philippine Coast Guard, and the Marine 
17 
Board of Examiners for Engine and Deck of the Professional Regulation Commission under 
18 
Presidential Decree No. 97, as amended, Maritime Section of the Commission on Higher 
19 
Education, 
Maritime Section on 
National Telecommunication Commission, 
and other 
20 
government agencies and instrumentalities performing any of the functions provided for under 
21 
this Act are hereby transferred with their personnel, records, files, supplies, vehicles, eqUipment, 
22 
furnitures, funds and other properties to the National Seafarers Administration. 
23 
For purposes of effecting a smooth, oraerly, and expeditious organizational and 
24 
functional transition period, the following shall, among others, govern such undertakings: 
25 
a) The Administration shall coordinate with agencies and instrumentalities mentioned in 
26 
this Section in order to minimize the disruption of the usual services being rendered 
27 
to the public and its clientele; 
28 
b) Officials and employees of all agencies concerned shall not be deprived of re-
29 
employment to the Administration nor shall there be a diminution in their ranks or 
30 
salaries, unless a contrary existing law so provides; and 
31 
c) Employees affected by the creation of the Administration shall be given preference 
32 
for appointment in the Administration on the basis of merit and fitness: Provided, 
33 
That those who may be laid off for cause or by option of VOluntary phase out, shall be 
34 
given gratuity equivalent to one (1) month's salary for every year of service, in 
35 
addition to all benefits to which they are entitled under existing laws and regulations. 
36 
SEC. 14. 
Penal Provisions. -
Any person, association, corporation or entity who 
37 
violates any provisions of this Act, or the rules and regulations mad thereof shall upon 
38 
conviction be punished or fined in accordance to the degree of offense as the court or 
39 
adjudicating administration may impose in accordance with existing civil or penal laws of the 
40 
Philippines: Provided. That in case the violation is committed by an association, corporation or 
41 
entity, the penalty shall be imposed on the responsible officers, directors, and/or owner of the 
42 
said entities: Provided finally, That nothing in this Act shall prevent the National Seafarers 
43 
Administration from instituting administration penalties for violations of any regulations that it 
44 
may promulgate. 
45 
SEC. 15. 
Appropriations. - The amount necessary for the implementation of this 
46 
Act shall be taken from the funds of all offices, departments, branches, divisions or sections of 
47 
the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration, the Maritime Industry Authority, the 
48 
Maritime Training Council, the Philippine Navy, and the Marine Board of Examiners for Engine 
49 
and Deck of the Professional Regulation Commission under Presidential Decree No. 97, as 
7 


1 
amended, and other government agencies and instrumentalities performing any of the functions 
2 
and programs provided for this Act. Thereafter such sums as may be needed for the operation 
3 
and maintenance of the Administration shall be included in the annual General Appropriations 
4 
Act. 
5 
SEC. 16. 
Repealing Clause. - All laws, ordinances, rules and regulations, and 
6 
other issuances or parts thereof that are inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or 
7 
modified accordingly. 
R 
SEC. 
17. 
Separability Clause. - If for any reason any section or provision of this 
9 
Act is declared unconstitutional or invalid, the other sections or provisions thereof, shall not be 
10 
affected thereby. 
II 
SEC. 
18. 
Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect upon its complete publication in at 
12 
least two (2) national newspapers of general circulation. 
1J 
Approved, 
8