THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
1 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
1 
’194 JU:$ 30 FiCI :4 1 
First Regular Session 
1 
SENATE 
S.B. No. 8 
Introduced by Senator 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 11, Sec. 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. 
Passage of this bill is recommended. 
EJERCITO ESTRADA 
Sen ator 


THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
1 
First Regular Session 
1 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
1 
"04 JlJi 30 
:4 1 
b 
S.B. No. 
4 
Introduced by Senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada 
AN ACT 
FIXING THE MI~IMUM STANDARD FOR DEATH BENEFITS TO FILIPINO 
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 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. This Act shall known as the "Death Benefits for Seafarers Act of 
2004." 
SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. - There is hereby 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. 
SECTION 3. Death Benefits - (a) Upon effectivity of this Act, in case 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$SO,OOO.OO) at the exchange rate prevailing during the time of payment. 
(b)The benefits shall be separate and distinct from and in hddition to whatever 
benefits which the seafarer is entitled to under the Philippine laws and 
regulations. 
(c) No benefits shall be payable in case of death resulting from a willful act on his life 
by the seafarer: Provided, that the employer can prove that such death is directly 
attributable to the seafarer. 
I 


SECTION 4. Reviews of Benefits. - The Philippine Overseas & Employment 
Administration shall, dpon consultation, with the seafarer’s 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. 
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. Eflecfivify, - 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,