Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
‘Quezon City, Metro Manila,

Thirteenth Congress
First Regular Session

House Bit o_ 2900

Introduced by Honorable Catalino V. Figueroa

EXPLANATORY NOTE

‘The country’s Overseas Fiipine Workers (OF W's) supply a significant part
‘of the nation's ieblood through their mut-milion dolar remittances. As former
President Fidel V. Ramos puts it, “OFW's are our modern day heroes." Being
‘such, they deserve to be accorded greater security. The present set-up
‘necessitates improvement in that direction.

‘This proposed measure focuses on the plight of our overseas sesferers. It
is anchored on the fact that they form a large portion of the OFW sector and are
therefore a major contributor to national socio-economic development. Henco,
they deserve to be treated no less.

It appears that, at present, overseas seafarers are entitled oan indemnity
{und of less than Fity Thousand Pesos (PS0,000.00) for both of loss of if and in
case of accident. This bill, therefore, proposes to create a wolfare fund for
overseas seafarers, separate from land-based laborers working abroad and to
increase the amount of benefits oftheir personal accident and life insurance.

In view of the above considerations, the. ofthis bills strongly
recommended.



Republic ofthe Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
‘Quezon City, Metro Manila,

‘Thiteonth Congress
First Regular Session

House Biti No _ 2900

Introduced by Honorable Catalino V. Figueroa

ANACT
CREATING THE OVERSEAS SEAFARERS WELFARE FUND,
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFORE AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES:

SECTION 1, Tile This Act shall be known as the “Seafarers! Weifare
Fund of 2004"

SECTION 2. Decteration of Policy ~ Its the policy ofthe State to promote
and safeguard the welfare of Filipino overseas seafarers and ther fails, For

this purpose,

necessary to establish and administer @ separate welfare fund
{or seafarers abroad to provide a more efficient and effective service for their
wall being

SECTION 3. Overseas Seafarers Wellare Fund — There is hereby created
‘an Overseas Seafarers Welfare Fund, hereinafter referred to as the ‘Welfare
Fund" which shall be used for the purpose of providing welfare services to
Filipino seafarers abroad,

SECTION 4. Fund Source ~ All contributions of seamen tothe Overstas
Workers Welfare Fund (OWWF) collected prior tothe effectivity of this Act, shall
be transferred and deposited tothe account ofthe Welfare Fund. Fees and other
charges, including the monthly contributions of each overseas seafarers, to be
Immposed inthe implomentaton ofthis Act, shall ikewise accrue to the Welfaie
Fund


‘SECTION 5. Administration - The Welfare Fund shall be administered by
‘8 Board of Trustees through a Secretariat. The Board of Trustees shall consist
‘of Secretary of Labor and Employment as Chairman, the Secretary of Finance,
the Secretary of Budget and Management, one Undersecretary of Labor and
Employment, the Administrator of Philippine Overseas Employment
‘Administration (POEA), the Director of Pre-Employment Services Offices, the
Director of Welfare Fund as Vice-Chairman, and one representatives each from
the shipping industry and a duly recognized overseas seafarer's association

‘The Director of the Welfare Fund and the representatives of both the
Shipping industry and overseas seafarers shall be appointed by the Secretary of
Labor and Employment,

‘The Director shall be the chif executive officer ofthe Welfare Fund. He
shall have the qualifications, rank and compensation ofthe Bureau of Director.
‘The Director shall be assisted by a Deputy Director who shall be appointed by
the Board of Trustees upon the recommendation of the Chairman,

SECTION 6. Secretariat. ~ The Secretariat shall be attached to the
Department of Labor and Employment. ts personnel shall be appointed by the
Chairman, upon the recommendation ofthe Director. The compensation ofthe
personnel and the operating expenses ofthe Secretariat shall be charged tothe
budget of the DOLE.

SECTION 7. Powers and Functions. - The Board of Trustees shall have
the following powers and functions:

(2) To formulate and implement measures to attain the Weifare's Fund

objectives and purposes;

(0) To enter into agreements and contracts in connection wth its

‘operations and objectives; and

(c) To manage the Welfare Funds resources subject to such rules and

regulations as maybe formulated by ts Board of Trustees. The Board


of Trustees shal foc the yearly appropriation ofthe Secretariat which
shal ot be more than thirty percent (30%) ofthe Welfare Fund

SECTION 8, Personal Accident and Life Insurance. — All seafarers
working abroad shall be provided both ife and personal accident insurance
‘mounting to One Mili Pesos (P1,000,000.00) and Three Hundred Thousand
Pesos (P00,000,00) maximum face value, respectively: Provided, however,
that an equal amount of Three Hundred Thousand Pesos (P300,000.00)
insurance coverage shall be due in ation to the amount of ite insurance.
‘This life and personal accident insurance shall be provided from the Welfare
Fund. The personal accident insurance shall cover dismemberment and
<isailty: Provided, further, that shoulda subsisting insurance package provide
for a coverage, the same shall be deemed in compliance wth this requirement

‘SECTION 8, Ary violation of the provisions ofthis Act shal be punishable
ity a fine of nt oss than Ten Thousand Pesos (P10,000.00) or imprisonment
‘of not ess than six (6) months nor more then six (6) years, or both such fine
‘2nd imprisonment in tho court's dscration

SECTION 10. Power to Promulgate Rules and Regulations. - The Board
‘of Trustaos shal have the power to promulgate rule and reguations: Provided,
“Tha said rules and regulations shal take effect Fiteon (18) days ater
pblcaion in the Official Gazette orn any newspaper of general culation.

SECTION 11. Repealing Clause ~ Allows, decrees, order, rules or
regulations or pats thereof inconsistant with this Act are hereby repealed or
rmosified accordingly,

SECTION 12. Effoctivty ~ This Act shall ake effect fer compltion of
publication in the Oficial Gazatt orn two (2) national newspapers of general
erculation

Approved,