Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
Third Regular Session

8672

House Bill No.

Introduced by ANGKLA Party-list Representative Jesulito A. Manalo

eT

AN ACT
PROTECTING SEAFARERS WHO SUFFER SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH, AND
THEIR FAMILIES

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Filipino seafarers sacrifice so much being onboard vessels for months, exposing
themselves to the dangers of the ship and the sea, away from their families and friends, just to
uplift the lives of their families. In the process, they substantially contribute to our national
economy. In times of serious injury or death, our seafarers and their families should be
treated with the highest degree of dignity and respect. Theyare not chattel that can just be
discarded once deemed inutile.

Further, the death at sea of a seafarer is a very painful experience for the family,
especially because of their absence during the final moments of their loved ones. Sometimes
their grief is further prolonged for various reasons such as a refusal of the foreign principal to
furnish them a copy of the master’s report involving the seafarer’s death, or the delayed
shipping of the late seafarer’s personal effects.

This bill was filed consistent with the mandate of our Constitution which affirms
labor as a primary social economic forceunder Article Il, Section 18, and affords full
protection to labor, both local and overseas, tunder Article XIII, Section 3. Further, Article Il,
Section 12 of the Constitution recognizes the sanctity of family life and shall protect and
strengthen the family as a basic autonomous social institution. In line with this policy, we
must extend the greatest protection to seafarers and their families during times of death or
serious injury, and unburden them with their grief as much as we can.



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
Third Regular Session

8672

House Bill No._*

SLD

Introduced by ANGKLA Party-list Representative Jesulito A, Manalo

ee

AN ACT
PROTECTING SEAFARERS WHO SUFFER SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH, AND
‘THEIR FAMILIES

Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in
Congress assembled:

See. 1. Declaration of Policy. — The State affirms labor as a primary social economic
force, and shall afford full protection to overseas Filipino workers such as seafarers. Further,
the State recognizes the sanctity of family life and shall protect and strengthen the family as a
basic autonomous social institution, especially the families of seafarers who are separated
from their loved ones working on board vessels, and risking their health and life to earn a
living.

Sec. 2. Rights of Seafarer’s Heirs. — In case a seafarer suffers death/serious injury
onboard a vessel, or at any other place outside the Philippines, the seafarer and/or his/her
heirs shall be entitled to the following:

(a) A letter from the seafarer’s manning agency informing them of the fact of
death/serious injury, the circumstances surrounding the death/serious injury, all
the benefits they are entitled to, as well as the documentary requirements to claim
said benefits to be sent within ten (10) days from the seafarer’s death;

(b) A copy of the Master's Report involving the death/serious injury of the seafarer
which should be furnished within thirty (30) days from the seafarer’s death/serious
injury;

(c) The duly authenticated medical/death certificate and report of death of the seafarer
within thirty (30) days from the seafarer’s death/serious injury:

(d) The personal effects of the deceased seafarer which should be transported by air
together with the late seafarer’s remains;

(e) Alll benefits as provided for by the POEA Standard Employment Contract, or
Collective Bargaining Agreement, whichever is higher;and

(0 All other documents required of theseafarer or his/her heirs to process their
benefits under law and contract, and document the fact of death/disability/serious
injury.



Sec. 3. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — The Philippine Overseas
Employment Administration shall issue the implementing rules and regulations of this Act
within sixty (60) days from its effectivity. In no case shall the absence of the implementing
rules and regulations be used as justification for the non-enforcement of this Act.

Sec. 4. Repealing Clause. - All existing laws, orders, decrees, rules and regulations or
parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby amended, modified or
repealed accordingly.

Secs. Effectivity Clause. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,