1 
Republic of the Philippines 
1 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
2 
Batasan Hills, Quezon City 
3 
4 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
5 
First Regular Session 
6 
7 
HOUSE BILL NO. ________ 
8 
9 
Introduced by Honorable Representatives 
10 
ARLENE D. BROSAS (Gabriela Women’s Party);   
11 
FRANCE L. CASTRO (ACT Teachers Partylist);  
12 
and RAOUL DANNIEL A. MANUEL (Kabataan Partylist) 
13 
14 
AN ACT 
15 
INSTITUTING THE MAGNA CARTA OF FILIPINO SEAFARERS 
16 
17 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
18 
19 
The Filipino seafarers have long been the crew of choice in the world for their skills, 
20 
resourcefulness, reliability, and command of the English language. At any given time, more than 
21 
400,000 Filipino seafarers man the oceangoing ships, allowing big shipowners to amass super 
22 
profits from the toil and sacrifice of the seafarers. Exposed to the perils at sea, laboring in the 
23 
heat of day and in the cold of night, the Filipino seafarers are one of the most exploited and 
24 
oppressed. 
25 
26 
Many of them are on board ships flying flags of convenience, substandard and unsafe ships, 
27 
and are suffering from the stress and fatigue of work at wages that are below the ILO standard. 
28 
Filipino seafarers suffer from the lack of security of tenure and the difficulty of being reemployed 
29 
after finishing a contract. They also complain about the very high expenses for training and 
30 
certification, upgrading certificates, and government exactions. When they are hired they are 
31 
exposed to the elements, to stress and fatigue. This includes viral epidemics and piracies, aside 
32 
from the natural perils at sea. When they sustain injuries, illnesses or if they die, the seafarers 
33 
or their families have the burden of proof to establish that the incident is work related or they get 
34 
no compensation. The POEA Contract that should have protected them is unfairly restricting 
35 
their rights and benefits with this work related requirement.  
36 
37 
When the Philippines ratified the ILO Maritime Labour Convention 2006, a glimmer of hope was 
38 
seen in the horizon. Now, there is a set of laws and standards worldwide that would benefit and 
39 
protect the rights of seafarers including Filipinos on board oceangoing and domestic ships. It 
40 
was ratified by the Philippines on August 20, 2012 and became an International Law a year 
41 
after. Yet, there is still no law passed in our jurisdiction to implement the beneficent provisions of 
42 
this international treaty. That is why, it is very urgent to pass this Magna Carta of Filipino 
43 
Seafarers to serve as the initial implementing legislation for the MLC 2006. It is an immediate 
44 
intervention to address the problems and issues diminishing the rights and welfare of the 
45 
Filipino seafarers, our modern day heroes. 
46 
47 
September 5, 2022
4:06 pm
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This proposed Magna Carta of Seafarers was filed in the 18th Congress by Bayan Muna 
1 
Partylist, and was consolidated with other similar measures and approved on third reading as 
2 
House Bill 8057.   
3 
 
4 
In this light, the urgent approval of this bill is earnestly sought. 
5 
 
6 
 
7 
Approved, 
8 
 
9 
 
10 
 
11 
 
12 
ARLENE D. BROSAS 
13 
Gabriela Women’s Party 
14 
 
 
15 
 
16 
 
17 
 
18 
  FRANCE L. CASTRO 
 
 
 
 
RAOUL DANNIEL A. MANUEL 
19 
ACT Teachers Partylist 
 
 
 
 
 
Kabataan Partylist 
20 
 
21 
 
 
22 


3 
Republic of the Philippines 
1 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
2 
Batasan Hills, Quezon City 
3 
4 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
5 
First Regular Session 
6 
7 
HOUSE BILL NO. ________ 
8 
9 
Introduced by Honorable Representatives 
10 
ARLENE D. BROSAS (Gabriela Women’s Party);   
11 
FRANCE L. CASTRO (ACT Teachers Partylist);  
12 
and RAOUL DANNIEL A. MANUEL (Kabataan Partylist) 
13 
14 
AN ACT 
15 
INSTITUTING THE MAGNA CARTA OF FILIPINO SEAFARERS 
16 
17 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
18 
assembled: 
19 
20 
CHAPTER I 
21 
GENERAL PROVISIONS 
22 
23 
SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Magna Carta of Filipino Seafarers." 
24 
25 
SECTION 2. Declaration of Policies. - It is hereby declared the policy of the State: 
26 
27 
(a) To afford Filipino seafarers full protection before, during and after employment by
28 
granting them certain rights as maritime professionals, in recognition of their unique
29 
role and contribution to national development;
30 
31 
(b) To maintain and progressively develop a pool of competent and world-class
32 
seafarers
33 
through a system of education, training, accreditation and licensing;
34 
35 
(c) To establish mechanisms for the enhancement of administrative, adjudicative, social
36 
as well as welfare services for them and their families;
37 
38 
(d) To enact laws that adopt, and implement the standards set by international
39 
conventions and agreements on working and living conditions, and occupational
40 
safety and health, among others, for seafarers particularly the Maritime Labour
41 
Convention, 2006;
42 
43 
Toward these ends, the State shall endeavor to improve the Filipino seafarers' working 
44 
conditions, terms of employment, career prospects and provide them opportunities to harness 
45 
their potentials to the fullest, and offer viable alternative livelihood to unemployed seafarers. The 
46 
State shall further promulgate policies and programs to protect the rights and to uplift the socio-
47 
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economic well-being of the Filipino seafarers and their families, and to develop a vibrant and 
1 
sustainable national shipping industry to provide jobs for Filipino seafarers on board ships that 
2 
are beneficially owned by Filipinos in the near future, instead of manning them on flags of 
3 
convenience and foreign ships. 
4 
 
5 
SECTION. 3. Applicability. -This Act shall cover Filipino seafarers engaged, employed, or 
6 
working in any capacity on board Philippine registered ships operating domestically or 
7 
internationally, as well as those on board foreign registered ships. 
8 
 
9 
This Act shall not cover the following categories of ships: 
10 
 
11 
(a) Warships and naval auxiliaries; 
12 
 
13 
(b) Government ships not engaged in commercial operations; 
14 
 
15 
(c) Ships of traditional build, as may be defined under existing rules and regulations; and 
16 
 
17 
SECTION 4. Definition of Terms. -As used in this Act: 
18 
 
19 
(a) Cadet refers to a student of a maritime educational institution who is required to undergo 
20 
training on-board registered international ships or domestic ships to fulfill the 
21 
requirement of the maritime bachelor’s degree or other maritime academic course; 
22 
 
23 
(b) Domestic Shipping refers to the transport of passenger or cargo or both by ships duly 
24 
registered and licensed under Philippine law to engage in trade and commerce between 
25 
Philippine ports and within Philippine territorial or internal waters for hire or 
26 
compensation with general or limited clientele whether permanent, occasional or 
27 
incidental, with or without fixed routes and undertaken for contractual or commercial 
28 
purposes; 
29 
 
30 
(c) International Maritime Convention or International Convention refers to any written treaty 
31 
or agreement. or any protocol or amendment thereto , affecting the maritime industry 
32 
which has come into force and effect, including the Maritime Labour Convention, 2006; 
33 
 
34 
(d) License refers to the document issued by the Department of Labor and Employment 
35 
(DOLE) authorizing any person or entity to engage in the recruitment and placement of 
36 
seafarers; 
37 
 
38 
(e) Manning / Recruitment and Placement Agency refers to any Filipino person, corporation, 
39 
partnership, company, or other entity engaged in the canvassing, enlisting, contracting, 
40 
transporting, utilizing, hiring or procuring whether for profit or not, of seafarers whether 
41 
domestic or international 
42 
 
43 
(f) Maritime Industry Stakeholders refer to all private sector stakeholders, engaged in the 
44 
business of owning, managing, chartering or operating domestic and international 
45 
ship(s) of Philippine or foreign registry, manning of ships, management of ports, 
46 
stevedoring and arrastre services, ship brokering and chartering, ship-building and ship 
47 


5 
 
repair, providing maritime services such as ship supplies and provisions, maritime 
1 
education and training, shipping agency, and other similar activities. 
2 
 
3 
This term shall also include bona fide maritime labor organizations, professional 
4 
associations of seafarers, non-governmental organizations advocating for the rights and 
5 
welfare of seafarers and their families, and other civil society entities with similar goals. 
6 
 
7 
(g) Master refers to a person having command of a ship; 
8 
 
9 
(h) Maritime Labour Certificate refers to the document that certifies that the working and 
10 
living conditions of the seafarers on the ship have been inspected and are compliant with 
11 
the requirements of Philippine laws and regulations and with the Maritime Labour 
12 
Convention 2006; 
13 
 
14 
(i) Philippine National refers to any individual who is a citizen of the Philippines, or a 
15 
commercial partnership or corporation organized under the laws of the Philippines, at 
16 
least 60% of the capital of which is owned by citizens of the Philippines; 
17 
 
18 
(j) Philippine Seafarers' One Stop Processing Center (PSOC) refers to the facility created 
19 
under DOLE Administrative Order No. 56, series of 2003, which houses multiple offices 
20 
or agencies involved in providing services to seafarers, in one place; 
21 
 
22 
(k) Point of Hire refers to the place where the contract of employment was executed; 
23 
 
24 
(l) Recognized Organizations refer to organizations recognized by the DOLE to carry out 
25 
inspections or issue the Maritime Labour Certificate in accordance with the scope of 
26 
activities covered by their authorizations; 
27 
 
28 
(m) Repatriation refers to the process of returning a seafarer to the point of hire; 
29 
 
30 
(n) Seafarer refers to a person who is employed or is engaged to work in any capacity on 
31 
board a ship to which the Act applies; 
32 
 
33 
(o) Ship or Vessel refers to any kind, class or type of craft or artificial contrivance capable of 
34 
floating in water, whether publicly or privately owned, ordinarily engaged in commercial 
35 
activities and offshore operations; 
36 
 
37 
(p) Sea Going Ship refers to a ship other than those which navigate exclusively in inland 
38 
water or water within or closely adjacent to sheltered water, or areas where port 
39 
regulations apply; 
40 
 
41 
(q) Shipowner refers to the owner of the ship employing Filipino seafarers to work on board 
42 
domestic ships or on ships engaged in international trade, or any other organization or 
43 
person, such as the manager, agent or bareboat charterer, who has assumed the 
44 
responsibility for operation and management of the ship, and who, in assuming such 
45 
responsibilities, has agreed to take over all the attendant duties and responsibilities of a 
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6 
 
shipowner under this Act, regardless of whether any other organization or persons fulfil 
1 
certain of the duties or responsibilities on behalf of the shipowner. 
2 
 
3 
 
4 
CHAPTER II 
5 
SEAFARERS' RIGHTS 
6 
 
7 
SECTION. 5. Right to Just Terms and Conditions of Work. - Seafarers shall have the right 
8 
to: 
9 
 
10 
(a) Safe and secure workplace that complies with international safety standards; 
11 
 
12 
(b) Decent working and living conditions on board a ship, and security of tenure for those 
13 
who have acquired regular employment status by working for a cumulative period of one 
14 
year with the same employer, manning agent or foreign or domestic shipowner; 
15 
 
16 
(c) Medical care, welfare measures and other forms of health and social protection; and the 
17 
right to seek second opinion from other DOH Accredited clinks or competent and 
18 
licensed physicians in the event of the seafarer’s doubt on the medical assessment of 
19 
the company designated or approved physician or clinic. 
20 
 
21 
(d) Fair terms and conditions of employment including salary commensurate to their rank, 
22 
hours of work, and other relevant basis for wage computation, minimum number of 
23 
working hours, rest period consistent with Philippine laws or international maritime 
24 
conventions, when applicable. 
25 
 
26 
SECTION. 6. Right to Self-organization, to Engage in Collective Bargaining and to 
27 
Participate in Concerted Actions - Seafarers shall enjoy their right to self-organization, to 
28 
collective bargaining, to concerted actions including going on strike, and to participate in the 
29 
deliberation of issues and in the formulation of policies that affect them, including the guarantee 
30 
of representation in governing boards or appointment in government instrumentalities.  
31 
 
32 
SECTION. 7. Right to Educational Advancement and Training at Reasonable and 
33 
Affordable Costs. Seafarers education shall be the principal responsibility of the state. They 
34 
shall have access to educational advancement and training at reasonable and affordable costs. 
35 
No fee or other charges shall be imposed on cadets, interns, apprentices, on-the-job-trainees or 
36 
other persons similarly situated and they shall be paid commensurate wages as provided in this 
37 
Act. 
38 
 
39 
Toward this end, relevant government agencies shall:  
40 
 
41 
(a) Establish more state run maritime schools and training centers, and regulate the 
42 
operation of all educational and training institutions offering courses related to seafaring; 
43 
 
44 
(b) Pursue grant programs such as scholarships, subsidies, loan assistance and other 
45 
measures that will reduce the cost of education and training for seafarers and harness 
46 
the skills of Filipino seafarers toward greater efficiency; and  
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7 
 
 
1 
(c) Promote quality maritime education and training that respond to the needs of the 
2 
industry and in accordance with minimum international maritime standards of 
3 
competency. 
4 
 
5 
SECTION. 8. Right to Relevant Information. Shipowners, manning agencies, and other 
6 
organizations responsible for the recruitment and placement of Filipino seafarers shall be 
7 
mandated to provide seafarers relevant information, including the terms and conditions of 
8 
employment and company policies affecting seafarers, provide them a copy of their POEA 
9 
Contract and the Collective Bargaining Agreement when applicable. This right shall include the 
10 
right of seafarers’ organizations to relevant information affecting the terms and conditions of 
11 
employment of their members.  
12 
 
13 
All ships covered by this Act shall have a copy of the Maritime Labour Convention of 2006 and 
14 
the grievance procedures observed on board.  
15 
 
16 
SECTION. 9. Tripartism and Tripartite Conferences. Seafarers, shipowners and legitimate 
17 
seafarers' and shipowners' organizations, as well as other relevant stakeholders, including 
18 
NGOs and civil society organizations working for seafarers rights and welfare, shall be 
19 
adequately consulted before adopting any maritime policy, executive issuance, rule or 
20 
regulation affecting seafarers and their families is promulgated, or before any maritime law that 
21 
may directly affect them is enacted.  
22 
 
23 
Tripartism in labor relations of seafarers is hereby declared a State policy. Towards this end, 
24 
seafarers, shipowners, International Transport Workers Federation (ITF), Mission to Seafarers, 
25 
Stella Maris, Migrante International and other Non-Governmental Organization shall, as far as 
26 
practicable, be represented in decision and policy-making bodies of the government. 
27 
A tripartite council shall be created to represent aforementioned sectors and representations.  
28 
The Secretary of Labor and Employment together with MARINA shall promulgate the necessary 
29 
rules and regulations to specify the functions of the tripartite council. The operations of the 
30 
tripartite council shall be funded from the regular budget of the DOLE. 
31 
 
32 
SECTION. 10. Right Against Discrimination. Upon employment, seafarers shall have the right 
33 
against discrimination by sole reason of age, race, sex, gender, religion and political opinion. 
34 
Career opportunities shall be promoted and appropriate working and living conditions shall be 
35 
guaranteed equally among male and female seafarers and those of other gender orientation. 
36 
 
37 
SECTION. 11. Right to Free Legal Representation. Seafarers who are victims of violations of 
38 
the 
39 
provisions of this Act or of their employment contract or other labor laws, and who cannot afford 
40 
the services of a competent and independent counsel shall have the right to free legal 
41 
assistance and protection at government's expense, and to the fair and speedy disposition of 
42 
the case, including the expeditious settlement of money claims, subject to existing laws, rules 
43 
and regulations. 
44 
 
45 
SECTION. 12. Right to Access to Communication and to Shore Leaves. Seafarers, 
46 
especially during their free time or when they are not on duty shall have reasonable access to 
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8 
 
ship-to-shore telephone communications, and email and internet facilities, where available, and 
1 
to adequate shore leaves when the ship is in a port. 
2 
 
3 
SECTION. 13. Right to Fair Treatment in the event of Maritime Accident, Epidemic, Piracy 
4 
or other Perils at Sea. In the event of maritime accident, epidemic, piracy or other perils at sea, 
5 
the seafarer shall be treated fairly and be entitled to all the rights in international law, including 
6 
the rights under ILO / IMO 2006 Guidelines on Fair Treatment of Seafarers in the Event of a 
7 
Maritime Accident, Annex to IMO Resolution A 1056 (27) of November 30, 2011, and the 
8 
Maritime Labour Convention 2006, but not limited thereto; 
9 
 
10 
 
11 
CHAPTER Ill 
12 
DUTIES OF SEAFARERS 
13 
 
14 
SECTION. 14. Seafarers shall have the following duties:  
15 
 
16 
(a) To comply with and observe the terms and conditions of the employment contract; 
17 
 
18 
(b) To abide by lawful and reasonable company personnel policies;  
19 
 
20 
(c) To be obedient to the lawful commands of the Master or the Master's lawful successor, 
21 
and to comply with the shipowner's / principal's policy on safety and operational 
22 
procedures and instructions given in connection therewith;  
23 
 
24 
(d) To be diligent in the performance of duties relating to the ship, its stores, equipment and 
25 
cargo, whether on board, in transit or ashore; 
26 
 
27 
(e) To be, at all times, orderly and respectful to the shipmates, passengers, shippers, 
28 
stevedores, port authorities, and other persons who have official business with the ship; 
29 
and 
30 
 
31 
(f) To be personally responsible for maintaining a healthy lifestyle. 
32 
 
33 
 
34 
CHAPTER IV 
35 
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS FOR SEAFARERS 
36 
 
37 
SECTION. 15. Minimum Age. No person below eighteen (18) years old, other than a cadet, 
38 
shall be employed, engaged, or otherwise allowed to work on board Philippine registered ships 
39 
operating domestically or internationally, as well as on board foreign registered ships. 
40 
 
41 
SECTION. 16. Medical Certificates. No seafarer shall be employed, engaged, or otherwise 
42 
allowed to work on board a domestic or ocean-going ship unless a medical certificate has been 
43 
issued declaring the seafarer to be fit to work. The seafarer shall hold a valid medical certificate 
44 
issued by a medical facility duly accredited by the Department of Health (DOH) in accordance 
45 
with its existing rules and regulations. 
46 
 
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9 
 
The medical certificate shall certify that the person is expected to be able to meet the minimum 
1 
requirements for performing the duty specific to the person's post at sea safely and effectively 
2 
during the period of the validity of the certificate. 
3 
 
4 
For the purpose of this Section, a medical certificate issued in accordance with the requirements 
5 
of STCW shall be accepted. No waiver of liabilities resulting to forfeiture of benefits shall be 
6 
allowed in case of insufficient compliance with a fit to work certification during the pre-
7 
employment medical examination, and in case a seafarer has signed such waiver, it is null and 
8 
void ab initio for being contrary to this Act and to public policy and cannot be used against the 
9 
seafarer in any proceeding, arbitration or negotiation on entitlements in case of sickness, injury 
10 
or death. 
11 
 
12 
SECTION. 17. Training and Qualifications. Only seafarers certified by appropriate 
13 
government agencies shall work, be employed or be engaged on board a ship. 
14 
 
15 
SECTION. 18. Recruitment and Placement. Only duly licensed manning or placement and 
16 
recruitment agency shall be allowed to operate and engage in the recruitment and placement of 
17 
seafarers, in accordance with the rules and regulations as may be issued by the Secretary of 
18 
Labor and Employment  
19 
 
20 
SECTION. 19. Prohibition on Fees. No amount or fee shall be charged to the seafarer for their 
21 
recruitment and placement. The collection of placement fees on seafarers shall be punishable 
22 
as a crime of illegal recruitment under Rep. Act 10002. 
23 
 
24 
 
25 
CHAPTER V 
26 
CADETSHIP 
27 
 
28 
SECTION. 20. Applicability. The shipboard training of cadets shall be governed by Sections 5 
29 
to 13 of Chapter Il; Section 14 of Chapter Ill; Section 15 to 19 of Chapter IV; Sections 22 to 23 of 
30 
Chapter VI; Sections 25 to 27 of Chapter VII; Sections 31 to 35 of Chapter IX; Section 36 of 
31 
Chapter X; and Section 42 of Chapter XIV hereof. 
32 
 
33 
SECTION. 21. Shipboard Training Agreement for Cadets. There shall be a written 
34 
agreement between the shipowner on one hand, and the cadet and the maritime institution or 
35 
school on the other, and which shall include the following information, terms and conditions:  
36 
 
37 
(a) Cadet's full name, date of birth, birthplace and age, which should be at least sixteen (16) 
38 
years old; 
39 
 
40 
(b) Name and address of the maritime institution or school;  
41 
 
42 
(c) Name and address of the shipowner, if applicable; 
43 
 
44 
(d) Place and date when the cadet's agreement is entered into; 
45 
 
46 
(e) Capacity in which the cadet is to be trained; 
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10 
 
 
1 
(f) Amount of the cadet's allowance or stipend; 
2 
 
3 
(g) Required number of hours of training and rest which shall not be less than the 
4 
prescribed hours of work and rest in Section 21 of this Act; 
5 
 
6 
(h) Duties and responsibilities of the sponsoring company, Maritime Higher Education 
7 
Institutions (MHEIs), and cadets, as may be provided under the Standard Cadet Training 
8 
Agreement on Ships Engaged in International Voyage of the Philippine Overseas 
9 
Employment Administration (POEA); and 
10 
 
11 
(i) Other benefits in accordance with law, company policy or agreements. 
12 
 
13 
The foregoing agreement shall be in a working language and in English, executed in three (3) 
14 
original copies before the commencement of the shipboard training. The shipowner, cadet and 
15 
the maritime institution/school shall each have a signed original of the agreement and an 
16 
electronic copy thereof shall be submitted to the DOLE, through the Bureau of Working 
17 
Conditions (BWC). A signed original copy shall also be made available on board the ship. 
18 
 
19 
MHEIs shall demonstrate that over the last three (3) years, an average of at least the minimum 
20 
percentage of the target number of cadets, as per updated relevant Commission on Higher 
21 
Education (CHED) Memorandum Order are able to secure berths in connection with their 
22 
studies, which minimum percentage, however, shall not be lower than sixty percent (60%) of 
23 
students enrolled in their Bachelor of Science in Marine Transportation (BSMT) or Bachelor of 
24 
Science in Marine Engineering (BSMarE) programs. The CHED, in coordination with the 
25 
Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA), shall ensure that only BSMT or BSMarE programs in 
26 
MHEIs that meet the above requirement are conferred approved or accredited. 
27 
 
28 
 
29 
CHAPTER VI 
30 
TERMS AND CONDITION OF EMPLOYMENT 
31 
 
32 
SECTION. 22. Standard Employment Agreement for Seafarers. There shall be an 
33 
agreement in writing between the shipowner and the seafarer, which shall include the following 
34 
information and terms: 
35 
  
36 
  
37 
(a) 
Seafarer’s full name, date of birth or age, and birthplace;  
38 
  
39 
(b) 
Shipowner’s name and address;  
40 
  
41 
(c) 
Place where and date when the seafarer’s employment agreement is entered into;  
42 
  
43 
(d) 
Capacity in which the seafarer is to be employed;  
44 
  
45 
(e) 
Amount of the seafarer’s salary, and the formula used for calculating the same;  
46 
  
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11 
 
(f) 
Hours of work and hours of rest;  
1 
  
2 
(g) 
Wages and wage-related benefits, which include the following: overtime pay, holiday 
3 
pay, premium pay, paid leaves, 13th month pay, if applicable;  
4 
  
5 
(h) 
Social security and welfare benefits;  
6 
  
7 
(i) 
Stipulation on repatriation or similar undertakings;  
8 
  
9 
(j) 
Separation pay and retirement pay, if applicable;  
10 
  
11 
(k) 
Reference to the collective bargaining agreement, if applicable,  
12 
  
13 
(l) 
Other benefits in accordance with law, company policy or agreements.  
14 
  
15 
The foregoing employment agreement shall be in a working language or in English, executed in 
16 
three (3) original copies before the commencement of the employment. The shipowner and the 
17 
seafarer shall each have a signed original of the agreement. A signed original shall be made 
18 
available on board the ship.  
19 
  
20 
 The Philippine Overseas Employment Administration - Standard Employment Contract (POEA-
21 
SEC) approved by the DOLE shall be observed in the employment of Filipino seafarers on 
22 
board ocean going Philippine registered ships or foreign registered ships.  
23 
  
24 
 When there is a collective bargaining agreement, a copy thereof must be maintained on-board 
25 
the ship and every seafarer covered must be provided with a copy thereof. 
26 
 
27 
The terms and conditions for employment to be provided in the POEA SEC or and CBA shall 
28 
always be consistent and updated with the latest amendment to the Maritime Labour 
29 
Convention 2006 and other existing treaties and conventions governing seafarers duly entered 
30 
into by the Philippines.  
31 
  
32 
 SECTION. 23. Wages. – Upon effectivity of this Act, the Regional Tripartite Wages and 
33 
Productivity Boards shall set the minimum wage rates of the seafarers on board ships engaged 
34 
in domestic shipping, taking into account the peculiarities of the employment arrangement of 
35 
seafarers and the criteria as determined pursuant to Republic Act No. 6727, otherwise known as 
36 
“Wage Rationalization Act” or other applicable laws. : Provided, that wages for actual work 
37 
hours and days shall not be lower than the applicable minimum wage rates in the place where 
38 
the ship is registered or where it is domiciled, and the higher wage rate in case of discrepancy 
39 
shall be applicable. Wages shall be paid at least once every two (2) weeks or twice a month, at 
40 
intervals not exceeding sixteen (16) days.  
41 
  
42 
 Trainees, probationary crew members and others similarly situated shall be paid full minimum 
43 
wage in accordance with the services rendered.  
44 
  
45 
 SECTION. 24. Hours of Work and Hours of Rest. – The normal hours of work of seafarer 
46 
shall not exceed eight (8) hours a day. If the seafarer is allowed to work beyond eight (8) hours, 
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12 
 
the maximum hours of work shall not exceed fourteen (14) hours in any 24-hour period, and 
1 
seventy-two (72) hours in any 7-day period.  
2 
  
3 
 The minimum hours of rest for every seafarer shall not be less than ten (10) hours. Hours of 
4 
rest may be divided into no more than two (2) periods, one of which shall be at least six (6) 
5 
hours in length, and the interval between consecutive periods of rest shall not exceed fourteen 
6 
(14) hours.  
7 
  
8 
 In exceptional cases, seafarers in watchkeeping duties may be required to work beyond 
9 
fourteen (14) hours provided that the rest period is not less than seventy (70) hours in any 7-day 
10 
period. This exception shall not be allowed for more than two (2) consecutive weeks. The 
11 
intervals between two (2) periods of exceptions shall not be less than twice the duration of the 
12 
exception.  
13 
  
14 
 SECTION. 25. Paid Annual Leave. – Unless higher annual leave pay is provided under a 
15 
Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) or by the Shipowner as company practice or custom, 
16 
the seafarer shall be paid an annual leave pay to be calculated on the basis of a minimum of at 
17 
least 2.5 calendar days per month of employment.  
18 
  
19 
 For ships licensed to engage in domestic shipping, the provisions on “Holidays, Service 
20 
Incentive Leaves and Service Charges” of Presidential Decree No. 442, or the Labor Code of 
21 
the Philippines, as amended, shall continue to apply unless higher annual leave is already 
22 
provided under the Collective Bargaining Agreement or by the shipowner as company practice 
23 
or policy, or by contract, including the POEA SEC when applicable. 
24 
  
25 
 
26 
CHAPTER Vll 
27 
REPATRIATION 
28 
 
29 
SECTION. 26. Seafarers Shall Be Entitled to Repatriation. All costs related to the repatriation 
30 
or transport of the personal effects of a seafarer shall be borne by or charged to the shipowner 
31 
and the manning agency concerned. The expenses of repatriation shall include the 
32 
transportation charges, pay and allowances from the moment the seafarers leave the ship until 
33 
they reach the repatriation destination, the accommodation and the food of the seafarer during 
34 
the journey and transportation of at least thirty kilograms (30 kgs.) of the seafarers' personal 
35 
luggage to the repatriation destination. The primary responsibility to repatriate entails the 
36 
obligation on the part of the shipowner or agency to advance the repatriation and other 
37 
attendant costs, including plane fare, deployment cost of the principal and immigration fines and 
38 
penalties, to immediately repatriate the seafarer should the need for it arise, without a prior 
39 
determination of the cause of the termination of the seafarer's employment. However, after the 
40 
worker has returned to the country, the shipowner or agency may recover the cost of 
41 
repatriation from the seafarer if the termination of the employment was due solely to the 
42 
seafarer's fault. 
43 
 
44 
SECTION. 27. Emergency Repatriation for Seafarers on Board Foreign Registered Ships. 
45 
In cases of war, epidemics, abandonment of ship by ship owners, disasters, calamities, natural 
46 
or man-made, and other similar events, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), in coordination 
47 


13 
 
with the POEA and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), shall undertake the 
1 
repatriation of seafarers. The DFA shall draw from the Emergency Repatriation Fund (ERF) 
2 
provided under the General Appropriations Act (GAA) to defray the expenses involved in the 
3 
repatriation of undocumented seafarers, while the POEA shall require manning agencies to 
4 
effect the repatriation of seafarers within forty-eight (48) hours or suffer the penalty of 
5 
suspension. In case of failure of the manning agency to provide for the repatriation within the 
6 
prescribed time, the POEA shall coordinate with the OWWA to advance the cost of repatriation 
7 
of the seafarer without prejudice to reimbursement from the concerned manning agency. 
8 
 
9 
The DFA shall take the lead in the repatriation of the affected seafarers in areas where there is 
10 
no Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO). 
11 
 
12 
SECTION. 28. Repatriation for Seafarers on Board Domestic Ships. The provisions on 
13 
repatriation, or return to the port of hire, as maybe applicable, shall also apply to seafarers 
14 
working on domestic ships. Seafarers on board domestic ships shall be entitled to emergency 
15 
repatriation in cases of war, epidemics, abandonment of ship by ship owners, disasters or 
16 
calamities, whether natural or man-made, and other similar events. 
17 
 
18 
 
19 
CHAPTER VIII 
20 
MANNING REQUIRENIENT 
21 
 
22 
SECTION. 29. Manning Levels. All ships of Philippine registry shall observe the required 
23 
minimum manning levels in accordance with the requirements prescribed by the MARINA. 
24 
 
25 
Every ship shall be manned by a crew that is adequate in terms of size and qualifications taking 
26 
into account the need to operate the vessel safely and efficiently, and the avoidance of crew 
27 
stress and fatigue caused by undermanning. 
28 
 
29 
SECTION. 30. Crew Competence. The crew members of a ship of Philippine registry shall 
30 
possess the appropriate certificate of competency, which sets forth their competence to serve 
31 
and perform the functions involved at the level of responsibility, for the position held, for the 
32 
type, tonnage, power, means of propulsion, and trading patterns of the ships concerned. 
33 
 
34 
The certificate of competency shall attest to the fact that the seafarer to whom it is issued meets 
35 
the requirements for service, age, qualification, and has successfully passed the examinations 
36 
conducted to determine the seafarer's proficiency and level of expertise for the position. 
37 
 
38 
SECTION. 31. Registry of Seafarers. To better respond to the manning requirements of 
39 
oceangoing ships of foreign registry, and domestic and oceangoing ships of Philippine registry, 
40 
the POEA and the MARINA, respectively, shall maintain a registry of all seafarers in the 
41 
Philippines. The registry shall contain the relevant information or data to promote employment 
42 
opportunities for seafarers whether on board or ashore, and allow for the appropriate learning 
43 
for and implementation of additional training, skills and competency development programs for 
44 
seafarers. 
45 
 
46 
CHAPTER IX 
47 


14 
 
ACCOMMODATION, RECREATIONAL FACILITIES, FOOD AND CATERING 
1 
 
2 
SECTION. 32. Accommodation Facilities. All ships of Philippine registry shall have safe, 
3 
decent and adequate accommodations for seafarers considering the need to protect the health 
4 
and safety of seafarers working or living on board. 
5 
 
6 
SECTION. 33. Requirements for Sanitation. All ships of Philippine registry shall have 
7 
sanitation facilities that meet the minimum standards for health and hygiene and are accessible 
8 
to seafarers on board. The sanitation facilities shall be located at convenient places, allowing for 
9 
easy access to work stations. Separate facilities shall be provided for male and female crew. 
10 
 
11 
SECTION. 34. Recreational Facilities. Unless otherwise exempted herein or by appropriate 
12 
regulations, all ships of Philippine registry shall have recreational facilities, amenities, and 
13 
services that are appropriate and accessible to seafarers. 
14 
 
15 
Domestic ships the regular voyage of which does not exceed thirty-six (36) hours may be 
16 
exempted from this requirement upon presentation of proof that their trading patterns and length 
17 
of voyages allow their crew to go home or to make use of comparable facilities on land. 
18 
 
19 
SECTION. 35. Food and Catering. The shipowner shall ensure the protection and promotion of 
20 
health of seafarers. Whenever applicable, a shipowner shall ensure that a ship serves free food 
21 
and drinking water of appropriate quality, quantity and nutritional value that adequately cover 
22 
the requirements of the ship and take into consideration the differing cultural and religious 
23 
backgrounds of seafarers. All foods and drinks and the preparation thereof shall be in 
24 
accordance with the standards of the Sanitation Code of the Philippines and pertinent laws, 
25 
rules and regulations. 
26 
 
27 
SECTION. 36. Application. The requirements of this chapter for crew accommodation and 
28 
recreational facilities covering ships of Philippine registry shall be applicable to the following:  
29 
 
30 
(a) All oceangoing ships and domestic ships constructed on or after the date when the ILO 
31 
MLC 2006 comes into force; 
32 
 
33 
(b) All second-hand ships, whether oceangoing or domestic, acquired or leased, and 
34 
entered in the Philippine registry after the entry date into force of the said Convention 
35 
unless provided exemption by the relevant Philippine government agency; and 
36 
 
37 
(c) All ships constructed prior to the entry into force of the MLC, 2006 which have 
38 
undergone major or substantial structural alterations after the entry into force of the 
39 
Convention, unless provided exemption by the relevant Philippine government agency.  
40 
 
41 
 
42 
CHAPTER X 
43 
HEALTH PROTECTION AND MEDICAL CARE 
44 
 
45 
SECTION. 37. Medical Care on Board Ships and Ashore. The shipowner shall provide 
46 
adequate equipment, paraphernalia and medical supplies, including medicines on board, and 
47 


15 
 
shall ensure access to shore facilities for the health of seafarers, as well as the corresponding 
1 
medical or trained personnel who shall provide first aid and medical care pursuant to the 
2 
Maritime Occupational Safety and Health Standards and other pertinent laws, rules and 
3 
regulations. 
4 
 
5 
The shipowner shall ensure that seafarers have access to medical treatment for any illness or 
6 
injury, hospitalization and dental treatment and for prompt medical transport and attention in 
7 
case of medical emergency. 
8 
 
9 
A seafarer shall have the right to consult a qualified physician or dentist without delay in ports of 
10 
call, where practicable.  
11 
 
12 
The health protection and medical care under this section shall be provided at no cost to the 
13 
seafarer. 
14 
 
15 
SECTION. 38 Right to Financial Consequences of Sickness, Injury or Dearth Occurring in 
16 
Connection with Employment. All seafarers shall have the right to material assistance and 
17 
support from the shipowner with respect to the financial consequences of sickness, injury or 
18 
death occurring while they are serving under a seafarer’s employment agreement or arising 
19 
from their employment under such agreement without prejudice to any other legal remedies that 
20 
a seafarer may seek. The shipowner shall provide an expeditious and effective financial security 
21 
system to compensate the seafarers in accordance with the Maritime Labour Convention 2006 
22 
and its amendments and appendices. The payment of contractual claims shall not bar seafarers 
23 
from pursuing other claims based in law, tort or quasi-delict in applicable jurisdictions at the 
24 
option of the seafarer.  
25 
 
26 
 
27 
CHAPTER XI 
28 
EMPOWERMENT OF FILIPINO WOMEN SEAFARERS 
29 
AND GENDER SENSITIVITY 
30 
 
31 
SECTION. 39. Rights and Welfare of Filipino Women Seafarers. The rights and welfare 
32 
Filipino women seafarers on board oceangoing and domestic ships must be protected and 
33 
upheld. Gender sensitivity must be instilled on all government agencies and offices working with 
34 
seafarers, on shipowners, and manning agencies, and on the crew and passenger of ships, 
35 
foreign and domestic. Filipino women seafarers shall also be empowered and made aware of 
36 
their human rights through gender awareness and sensitivity, and women empowerment 
37 
courses in maritime schools, training centers, Pre Departure Orientation Seminars (PDOS) and 
38 
on board the ships as part of the regular drills and education of all crew members, must be 
39 
implemented. 
40 
 
41 
SECTION. 40. Enhanced access to educational advancement and training. Women 
42 
seafarers shall be given enhanced access to education and training. Government owned 
43 
Maritime Higher Education Institutions (MHEIs) and Maritime Training Institutions (MTIs) shall 
44 
provide adequate scholarships to women students and trainees utilizing their Gender and 
45 
Development (GAD) budgets.  
46 
 
47 


16 
 
SECTION. 41. Gender Sensitivity Training for Seafarers. The National Maritime Polytechnic 
1 
(NMP) shall continue to develop, enhance and increase accessibility of its Gender Sensitivity 
2 
Training for Seafarers to the maritime industry stakeholders, offering the training course in E-
3 
Learning format. The NMP shall also strengthen its research capability to provide 
4 
comprehensive resources including gender related topics and courses. 
5 
 
6 
SECTION. 42. Organizing and Empowering Filipino women seafarers. Women seafarers 
7 
shall be encouraged to organize and form associations, or join trade unions and link up with 
8 
other networks of women seafarers and workers from different nationalities. A helpline for 
9 
women and male victims of sexual harassment and bullying must be set up by the POEA in 
10 
coordination with other government agencies. 
11 
 
12 
 
 
  
13 
CHAPTER XlI 
14 
WELFARE AND SOCIAL SECURITY PROTECTION 
15 
 
16 
SECTION. 43. Social Welfare Benefits. Without prejudice to established policy, CBA or other 
17 
applicable social agreement, all seafarers shall as far as practicable, become members of the 
18 
Social Security System (SSS), Employees' Compensation and State Insurance Fund, 
19 
PhilHealth, Home Development Mutual Fund (or Pag-IBIG Fund) and shall enjoy the benefits 
20 
afforded pursuant to membership thereof, and the payment of the employer counterpart shall be 
21 
solidarily borne by the manning agent and the shipowner. 
22 
 
23 
 
24 
 
25 
 
26 
CHAPTER XIII 
27 
COMPLIANCE AND ENFORCEMENT 
28 
 
29 
SECTION. 44. Compliance and Certification. All ships of Philippine registry shall comply with 
30 
the provisions of this Act. The shipowner or master shall ensure the compliance of the ship with 
31 
the provisions of this Act and its implementing rules and regulations. All ships of foreign registry 
32 
manning Philippine seafarers or entering in Philippine waters shall be compliant with the 
33 
minimum standards set by this Act and by the Maritime Labour Convention 2006, and in case of 
34 
conflict, the provision more favorable to the seafarer shall prevail. 
35 
 
36 
The ship owner and master, as acting ship owner's representative, shall be made principally 
37 
liable for any violation of the provisions of this Act and its implementing rules and regulations. 
38 
 
39 
For this purpose, a Maritime Labour Certificate or a Maritime Labour Compliance, as applicable, 
40 
shall be issued in accordance with the implementing rules and regulations. The DOLE, the DFA 
41 
and the MARINA, in consultation with ship owners and seafarers' organizations, shall formulate 
42 
the said implementing rules and regulations. 
43 
 
44 
SECTION. 45. Inspection and Enforcement. The Secretary of Labor and Employment or the 
45 
duly authorized representative shall have the principal authority to inspect all Philippine ships, 
46 
domestic or oceangoing, to ensure compliance with the provisions of this Act. The duly 
47 


17 
 
authorized representative shall have the power to board ships and carry out any examination, 
1 
test or inquiry in order to ensure that the standards established under this Act and its 
2 
implementing rules and regulations are strictly observed. The said representative authorized by 
3 
the DOLE and the Philippine Coast Guard shall have the power to board any ship of any registry 
4 
entering Philippine waters to ensure compliance with the Maritime Labour Convention 2006 and 
5 
the possession of the Maritime Labour Certificate and Maritime Labour Compliance required by 
6 
the said convention. 
7 
 
8 
The Secretary of Labor and Employment may authorize other government agencies or duly 
9 
recognized organizations to conduct inspection and issue certification in accordance with the 
10 
provisions of this Act and its implementing rules and regulations. The Secretary of Labor and 
11 
Employment or the duly authorized representative shall have the power to order immediate 
12 
restitution of differences, and impose fines for violations of the provisions of this Act. 
13 
 
14 
The right of the Secretary of Labor and Employment in this section does not bar the lawful 
15 
inspection of ships in Philippine waters by the union, the inspectors of the International 
16 
Transport Workers Federation (ITF), Mission to Seafarers, Stella Maris, Migrante International 
17 
and other Non-Governmental Organizations providing ship inspections and assistance to 
18 
seafarers on board ships.  
19 
 
20 
If the violation or deficiency constitutes serious breach of the requirement of this Act and its 
21 
implementing rules and regulations, or poses imminent danger to the ships or to the life or limb 
22 
of the seafarer, the Secretary of Labor and Employment or the duly authorized representative 
23 
may immediately order the detention of the ship until the violation or deficiency is corrected. 
24 
Recourse to the regular court of admiralty (Regional Trial Court) for the arrest or detention of 
25 
ships can also be resorted to by any crew member regardless of nationality.  
26 
 
27 
SECTION. 46. Recognized Organization. Recognized organizations may be authorized by the 
28 
Secretary of Labor and Employment to conduct the inspection of ship's premises and issue the 
29 
maritime labour certificate or the certificate of compliance, as appropriate, in accordance with 
30 
the provisions of this Act and its implementing rules and regulations. 
31 
 
32 
A recognized organization must have the necessary knowledge of the requirements of this Act 
33 
and its implementing rules and regulations, the NILC, 2006 and other relevant international 
34 
treaty or convention. 
35 
 
36 
Likewise, to be recognized and authorized to issue a Maritime Labour Certificate it must also 
37 
have the necessary and qualified professional and technical expertise to conduct the inspection 
38 
and certify to the ship's compliance with established standards. 
39 
 
40 
 
41 
 
42 
 
43 
 
44 
CHAPTER Xlll 
45 
TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT AND SECURITY OF TENURE 
46 
 
47 


18 
 
SECTION. 47. Termination of Employment and Security of Tenure.  
1 
 
2 
(a) The contractual employment of Filipino seafarers on board Philippine-registered ships 
3 
operating internationally, as well as those on board foreign-registered ships shall cease 
4 
when the seafarers complete their period of contractual service aboard the ship, sign off 
5 
from the ship, and arrive at the point of hire., provided that, a seafarer who has worked 
6 
with the same employer, manning agency or shipowner for a cumulative period 
7 
equivalent to one year, shall attain the status of a regular employee with similar rights 
8 
and benefits as a regular employee under the Labor Code of the Philippines, PD 442 as 
9 
amended. 
10 
 
11 
The contractual employment is also terminated effective upon arrival at the point of hire 
12 
for any of the following reasons: 
13 
 
14 
(1) When the seafarer signs off and is disembarked for medical reasons in the event the 
15 
seafarer is declared: (i) fit for repatriation; or (ii) when after an illness the seafarer is 
16 
declared fit to work, but the employer is unable to find employment for the seafarer 
17 
on board the ship originally boarded or on another ship of the employer; 
18 
(2) When the seafarer signs off due to the sale of the ship, lay-up of ship, 
19 
discontinuance of voyage or change of ship principal; 
20 
(3) When the seafarer voluntarily resigns in writing and signs off prior to the expiration of 
21 
contract within a reasonable period as may be prescribed in the implementing rules 
22 
and regulations of this Act; or 
23 
(4) When the seafarer is discharged for just causes in accordance with the provisions of 
24 
Art. 282 of the Labor Code of the Philippines as amended. 
25 
 
26 
(b) The termination of employment of a seafarer on board domestic ships shall be governed 
27 
by the provisions of the Labor Code of the Philippines, as amended, on domestic 
28 
shipping. 
29 
 
30 
(c) The termination of employment of a seafarer on board a foreign vessel or foreign 
31 
registered ships shall be governed by the POEA-SEC or applicable CBA, provided that a 
32 
seafarer who has worked for the same manning agent or for the same shipowner or 
33 
both, for a cumulative period of one year shall enjoy the security of tenure of a regular 
34 
employee as per Art 279 of the Labor Code of the Philippines as amended, and the 
35 
employer is obligated to rehire and give the right of first refusal to a regular employee 
36 
who qualifies, and is willing to work, for the next available vacant position of similar or 
37 
higher rank. Once a seafarer has acquired the regular status, he can no longer be 
38 
refused successive employment unless he resigns in writing, has abandoned his 
39 
employment, or is dismissed for just cause as provided in Art 282 of the Labor Code of 
40 
the Philippines as amended. 
41 
 
42 
 
43 
CHAPTER XIV 
44 
SETTLEMENT OF DISPUTES 
45 
 
46 


19 
 
SECTION. 48. On Board and Onshore Grievance Machinery. All ships of Philippine registry 
1 
shall prescribe and observe fair, effective and expeditious on board and onshore methods and 
2 
procedures to handle grievance at no cost to the seafarer, in accordance with the implementing 
3 
rules and regulations of this Act. 
4 
 
5 
In cases where a seafarer is a member of a legitimate trade union organization, any grievance 
6 
shall, as a condition precedent to conciliation-mediation, undergo the grievance machinery with 
7 
the involvement of the union as established in its CBA. Without prejudice to any existing law, 
8 
any agreement reached by the parties during the grievance negotiation shall be final and 
9 
binding. 
10 
 
11 
SECTION. 49. Mandatory Conciliation-Mediation and Arbitration. Seafarers, whether 
12 
engaged, employed or working on board ships of Philippine registry or other registries, shall 
13 
avail of the conciliation-mediation services of the DOLE pursuant to Republic Act No. 10396 and 
14 
its implementing rules and regulations, by filing a request for assistance before the conciliation 
15 
mediation desks at the Regional/Field/Provincial Offices of the DOLE or its attached agencies. 
16 
 
17 
In case of failure of conciliation-mediation in cases where seafarers are covered by the CBA, 
18 
the case shall be submitted for Voluntary Arbitration in accordance with Articles 261 and 262 of 
19 
the Labor Code, as amended. In cases where seafarers are not covered by the CBA, or despite 
20 
a CBA, the dispute is not covered by the cases stated in Articles 261 and 262 of the Labor Code 
21 
the seafarer shall have the option to submit the case to Compulsory Arbitration or to Voluntary 
22 
Arbitration. 
23 
 
24 
 
25 
CHAPTER XV 
26 
REINTEGRATION FOR OVERSEAS FILIPINO SEAFARERS 
27 
 
28 
SECTION. 50. Reintegration. Returning or unemployed overseas Filipino seafarers may avail 
29 
of the livelihood development and training programs, placements and other services offered by 
30 
concerned government agencies, including the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration 
31 
(OWWA), the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), the Technology 
32 
and Livelihood Resource Center (TLRC), the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA), the 
33 
National Maritime Polytechnic (NMP) and the CHED.  
34 
 
35 
These agencies shall formulate skills upgrading or retraining curricula to meet the needs of 
36 
returning or unemployed seafarers. The participation of the maritime sector, in particular, port 
37 
and shipping industry, and maritime educational institutions shall be likewise solicited by the 
38 
DOLE in devising the appropriate retraining and local job placement programs for unemployed 
39 
seafarers. 
40 
 
41 
The National Reintegration Center for OFWs (NRCO) shall attend to the needs of returning 
42 
seafarers. The Center shall provide mechanisms for their reintegration into the Philippine 
43 
society, serve as a promotion house for their local employment, and tap their skills and 
44 
potentials for national development. 
45 
 
46 


20 
 
SECTION. 51. Credit Delivery and Financial Assistance. Financial assistance for alternative 
1 
sustainable livelihood programs, or for upgrading or renewing certificates of competency and 
2 
training, shall be made available to seafarers by the government. Upon the approval of this act, 
3 
the Landbank, Development Bank of the Philippines, Small Business Guaranty and Finance 
4 
Corporation (SBGFC), the People’s Credit and Finance Corporation (PCFC) and the OWWA 
5 
shall set up a special credit window that will service the financing needs of the seafarers, 
6 
consistent with the applicable BSP policies, rules and regulations.. 
7 
 
8 
SECTION. 52. The Landbank, Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP), Small Business 
9 
Guaranty and Finance Corporation (SBGFC), the People’s Credit and Finance Corporation 
10 
(PCFC) and the OWWA shall submit a report annually to the appropriate committee of both 
11 
Congress (The House Committee on Overseas Workers Affairs and the Senate Committee on 
12 
Labor and Employment) on the state of implementation of this provision. 
13 
 
14 
SECTION. 53. Information Dissemination. The Philippine Information Agency (PIA) shall 
15 
ensure the proper and adequate information dissemination of the concerns and benefits of this 
16 
Act to the general public, especially to the seafarers and their families, in the local government 
17 
units, down to the Barangay level. 
18 
 
19 
 
20 
CHAPTER XVI 
21 
INCENTIVES AND AWARDS GRANTED TO THE MARITIME INDUSTRY 
22 
 
23 
SECTION. 54. Incentives and Awards. There shall be established an incentives and awards 
24 
system for the maritime industry stakeholders which shall be developed and administered by the 
25 
concerned government agency in consultation with the Maritime Industry Tripartite Council 
26 
(MITC). 
27 
 
28 
Under such rules and regulations that may be promulgated, deserving shipowners, seafarers, 
29 
manning and other organizations or entities, shall be commended or awarded for their 
30 
outstanding performance in upholding the rights of seafarers and complying with this Act. 
31 
 
32 
 
33 
CHAPTER XVII 
34 
GOVERNMENT AGENCIES 
35 
 
36 
SECTION. 55. Role of Government Agencies. The following government agencies shall 
37 
perform the following functions to promote the welfare and protect the rights of Filipino 
38 
seafarers: 
39 
 
40 
(a) Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE). The DOLE shall exercise sole and 
41 
exclusive jurisdiction in implementing the provisions of this Act and ensure that the 
42 
standards set forth herein, under Presidential Decree No. 442, as amended, and other 
43 
laws, the Maritime Labour Convention 2006 and other international treaties and 
44 
conventions to which the Philippines is a signatory are faithfully complied with and fairly 
45 
applied to Filipino seafarers. 
46 
 
47 


21 
 
The DOLE shall likewise determine and set appropriate benchmarks consistent with the 
1 
MLC, 2006, this Act and other applicable laws on employment conditions and other labor 
2 
standards and regulations. 
3 
 
4 
(b) Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA). The DFA, through its home offices or foreign posts, 
5 
shall give paramount importance to the safety and well-being of Filipino seafarers, by 
6 
providing adequate and timely intervention and assistance, such as representing their 
7 
interests with foreign authorities concerned and facilitating their repatriation when they 
8 
are distressed or beleaguered. 
9 
 
10 
(c) Department of Health (DOH). The DOH shall regulate the activities and operations of all 
11 
clinics which conduct physical, optical, dental, psychological and other similar 
12 
examinations, hereinafter referred to as health examinations, on Filipino seafarers. 
13 
 
14 
The DOH shall determine and prescribe the nature of the health examination that shall 
15 
be required of a seafarer, ensuring that such examination will genuinely determine the 
16 
seafarer's state of health, considering the duties that the seafarer shall be required to 
17 
perform on board. The DOH shall likewise prescribe the contents of the medical 
18 
certificate to ensure that such certification will genuinely reflect the seafarer's state of 
19 
health. 
20 
 
21 
(d) Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA). The POEA shall look review 
22 
the contracts of employment and the working conditions of the officers and crew of 
23 
vessels of Philippine registry operating internationally, and of such officers and crew 
24 
members who are Filipino citizens and employed by foreign vessels to ensure that these 
25 
comply with the prescribed standards. 
26 
 
27 
(e) Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA). The OWWA, through its welfare 
28 
officers or coordinating officers, shall provide the Filipino seafarers and their families all 
29 
the assistance they may need in the enforcement of contractual obligations by agencies 
30 
and their principals. 
31 
 
32 
The OWWA shall likewise formulate and implement welfare programs for overseas 
33 
Filipino seafarers and their families while they are abroad and upon their return. It shall 
34 
ensure the awareness by the overseas Filipino seafarers and their families of these 
35 
programs and other related governmental programs. 
36 
 
37 
(f) Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA). The MARINA shall ensure that all maritime 
38 
education including the curricula and training programs are structured and delivered in 
39 
accordance with written programs, methods and media of delivery, procedures and 
40 
course materials, international standards as prescribed under the STCW Convention. 
41 
The MARINA shall ensure that the guidelines for the Flag State on Fair Treatment of 
42 
Seafarers in the Event of a Maritime Accident be observed. 
43 
 
44 
(g) Philippine Coast Guard (PCG). The PCG, in line with its function to assist in the 
45 
enforcement of applicable laws within the maritime jurisdiction of the Philippines, shall 
46 
assist the DOLE in the enforcement of Department Orders and other issuances 
47 


22 
 
implementing the ILO MLC 2006, including orders to detain vessels found in gross 
1 
violation of pertinent laws, rules and regulations. In addition, the PCG shall be the 
2 
agency tasked in ensuring that the Guidelines for the Port State/ Coastal State on Fair 
3 
Treatment of Seafarers in the Event of a Maritime Accident, be observed. 
4 
 
5 
Unless otherwise provided in this Act, the mandate, power and function of all existing 
6 
departments, agencies or instrumentalities of the government, including government-owned and 
7 
controlled corporations, shall remain and continue to be recognized in accordance with the law 
8 
or order creating them. 
9 
 
10 
SECTION. 56. Philippine Seafarers ' One Stop Processing Center (PSOC). The PSOC shall 
11 
operationalize and make available to the public an integrated document processing center for 
12 
the seafarers and the general public to conduct official transactions. The agencies that are 
13 
mandated to provide services in the PSOC are as follows:  
14 
(a) Department of Labor and Employment; 
15 
(b) Department of Foreign Affairs; 
16 
(c) Commission on Higher Education; 
17 
(d) Professional Regulation Commission; 
18 
(e) National Telecommunications Commission; 
19 
(f) Philippine Overseas Employment Administration; 
20 
(g) Overseas Workers Welfare Administration; 
21 
(h) Technical Education and Skills Development Authority; 
22 
(i) Maritime Industry Authority; 
23 
(j) National Bureau of Investigation; 
24 
(k) Social Security System; 
25 
(l) Philippine Health Insurance Corporation;  
26 
(m) Philippine Statistics Authority; 
27 
(n) Home Development Mutual Fund; and 
28 
(o) Such other government agencies that the Secretary of Labor and Employment may 
29 
deem appropriate to be included in the PSOC. 
30 
 
31 
Further, the PSOC for its initial operation, shall create a pilot PSOC in areas identified with the 
32 
highest number of seafarers. The data gathered for the PSOC shall be made accessible to and 
33 
shall be utilized by the maritime sector and stake holders. The local government units (LGUs) 
34 
are encouraged either to reduce the amount of local taxes, fees and charges imposed or to 
35 
exempt document or transaction pertaining to the process of the PSOC. 
36 
 
37 
 
38 
CHAPTER XVIII 
39 
FINAL PROVISIONS 
40 
 
41 
SECTION. 57. Administrative Fines and Penalties. Any shipowner, master, their 
42 
representative or other person who fails or refuses to present employment records, such as 
43 
payrolls, daily time records, payslip or other documents, when required by the Secretary of 
44 
Labor and Employment, or the duly authorized representative of the Secretary of Labor and 
45 
Employment, or the duly authorized representative of a recognized organization, shall be 
46 


23 
 
imposed administrative fines and penalties in accordance with the implementing rules and 
1 
regulations promulgated to implement this Act. 
2 
 
3 
SECTION. 58. Transitory Provision. All rights, privileges and benefits previously enjoyed by 
4 
Filipino seafarers by law or jurisprudence, before the effectivity of this Act, including those set 
5 
forth in Presidential Decree No. 442, otherwise known as the Labor Code of the Philippines, as 
6 
amended, and Republic Act No. 8042, otherwise known as the "Migrant Workers and Overseas 
7 
Filipinos Act of 1995", as amended, shall continue to be recognized and shall not be diminished. 
8 
 
9 
SECTION. 59. Implementing Rules and Regulations. The DOLE, in coordination with the 
10 
DFA, the MARINA and other concerned agencies, shall formulate the rules and regulations to 
11 
implement this Act within ninety (90) days after its effectivity. 
12 
 
13 
SECTION. 60. Separability Clause. If, for any reason, any section, clause or term of this Act is 
14 
held to be illegal, invalid, or unconstitutional, such parts not affected by such declaration shall 
15 
remain in full force and effect. 
16 
 
17 
SECTION. 61. Repealing Clause. All laws, presidential decrees, issuances, executive orders, 
18 
letters of instruction, rules and regulations inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby 
19 
repealed or modified accordingly. 
20 
 
21 
SECTION. 62. Effectivity. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the 
22 
Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. 
23 
 
24 
 
25 
Approved, 
26 
 
27 
 
28 
 
29