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THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
_ . _  
. SENATE 
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S .  No. 
3 
INTRODUCED BY HON. MANUEL B. VILLAR, JR. 
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EXPLANATORYNOTE 
Ask any ship captain in the world if he has met a Filipino, and he is sure 
to reply that there is one or two among his crew. With an average of 200,000 
Pinoy seamen deployed each year for the past decade, the Philippines today is 
the principal supplier of seafarers to the world. 
Aside from the pride that they bring the country, the dollar remittances 
of our seafarers helped pump prime the economy. For 2003 alone, our seafarers 
infused 1.3 billion U.S. dollars into the country's Gross National Product. 
In return for their sacrifices and their efforts, this bill aims to fix the 
minimum death benefits of Filipino seafarers and to establish a mechanism at 
the Philippine Overseas Employment Agency which shall be tasked to review 
and realign on a regular basis the said minimum standard rates for death 
benefits. 
In view of the foregoing, passage of this bill is earnestly recommended. 
MANUEL B. VI LAR, JR. 
1 


THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
INTRODUCED BY HON. MANUEL B. VILLAR, JR. 
U 
AN ACT 
SEAFARERS EMPLOYED OVERSEAS AND ESTABLISHING A MECHANISM 
AT THE PHILIPPINE OVERSEAS EMPLOYMENT ADMINISTRATION FOR 
ITS REGULAR REVIEW AND REALIGNMENT TO PREVAILING 
INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
FIXING THE MINIMUM STANDARD FOR DEATH BENEFITS TO FILIPINO 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. This Act shall be known as the "Death Benefits for Seafarers Act of 
2004." 
SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy-. It is the policy of the State to promote the 
welfare of Filipino seafarers employed overseas by setting-up minimum standard of 
death benefits for seafarers at level with the prevailing international standards. 
SECTION 3 .  Death Benefits. - 
a. 
In case of death of a Filipino seafarer during the term of his contract, the 
employer shall indemnify the former's beneficiaries the Philippine 
currency equivalent of 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 
by the seafarer. In connection thereto, the employer can prove that such 
death is directly attributable to the seafarer. 
b. 
c. 
SECTION 4. Review of Benefits. - The Philippine Overseas & Employment 
Administration shall, upon consultation, with the seafarer's unions 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 prevailing international standards. 


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SECTION 5. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is declared 
invalid, the remaining provisions shall not be affected thereby. 
SECTION 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. 
SECTION 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, 
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