FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPU@LIC 
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OF THE PHILIPPINES 
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First Regular Session 
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INTRODUCED BY SEN. JINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Since the overseas employment program began two decades ago, the 
Philippines emerged as one of the top suppliers of seafarers for the world's 
merchant fleet. Pursuant to the Constitutional provision that "the State affirms 
labor as a primary social economic force. It shall protect the rights of workers 
and promote their welfare" (Article II, Section 18), the government is mandated to 
uphold and protect the welfare of our labor force, regardless whether they are 
employed here or abroad. 
The proposed measure then seeks to fix the minimum death benefits for 
Filipino seafarers and to establish a mechanism at the Philippine Overseas 
Employment Agency which is tasked to review and realign on a regular basis the 
said minimum standard rates for death benefits which should always be at par 
with the prevailing international standards. 
The passage of this bill is recommended. 
Senator 


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FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
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First Regular Session 
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OF THE PHILIPPINES 
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Senate Bill No. 4 2 5 
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INTRODUCED BY SEN. JINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA 
AN ACT 
FIXING THE MINIMUM STANDARD FOR DEATH BENEFITS TO FfLfPlNO 
SEAFARERS EMPLOYED OVERSEAS AND ESTABLISHING A MECHANISM 
AT THE PHILIPPINE OVERSEAS EMPLOYMENT ADMINISTRATION FOR ITS 
REGULAR REVIEW AND REALIGNMENT TO PREVAILING INTERNATIONAL 
STANDARDSANDFOROTHERPURPOSES 
Be if enacfed by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION I. Short TiNe. - This Act shall be known as the “Death 
Benefits for Seafarers Act of 2007.” 
SEC 2. Declaration of Policy. - There is hereby declared a policy of the 
State to promote the welfare of Filipino seafarers employed overseas by setting 
up minimum standards of death benefits for seafarers at the level with the 
prevailing international standards. 
SEC 3. Death Benefits. - (a) Upon effectivity of this Act, in case of death 
of a Filipino seafarer during the term of his contract, the employer shall pay his 
beneficiaries the Philippine currency equivalent to the amount of Fifty Thousand 
US Dollars (US$50,000.00) at the exchange rate prevailing during the time of 
payment. 
The benefits shall be separate and distinct from and in addition 
to whatever benefits which the seafarer is entitled to under the 
Philippine laws and regulations. 
No benefits shall be payable in case of death resulting from a 
willful act on his fife by the seafarer; 
Provided, That the 
employer can prove that such death is directly attributable to 
the seafarer. 
(b) 
(c) 
SEC 4. Reviews of Benefifs. - The Philippine Overseas and Employment 
Administration shall, upon consultation with the seafarers’ union and associations 
of manning agencies and shipping companies, undertake a regular annual review 
of the death benefits provided Under this Act and through its governing board, 


update or amend the death benefits to keep it at a level with the prevailing 
international standard. 
SEC 5. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is declared 
invalid, the remaining provisions shall not be affected thereby. 
SEC 6. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules 
and regulations, or parts thereof contrary or inconsistent with the provisions of 
this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly. 
SEC 7. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) national newspapers of 
general circulation, whichever comes earlier. 
Approved,