l<l'public ur 11H' Pl1ilil1pil1t's 
SI,N,\I'I<OII'III: 1'1.111.11"1-'11'\1"''1 
f\ISll)/ ('iL \' 
~;IXTI:I:~III CONCRI':C,'j 
Firsl l\vgu lar Sl'ssioll 
S. B. No, 1986 
INTIHJI lUC'J<:J) IIY S]':NATOH. SONNY M. ANGARA 
IX],] AN ATO H. Y N () I'l' 
'13 tIlV27 P 3 :33 
'-;(lnW 
I.~) lllilli()t1 ~-;l'(]Llr('l'S ,Ht' sdid lo l)l' dl Sl'd lbily, spn\dd across lhc I(H),(H)O or so 
shil)S lh'll Cdcilil,-lll' !lllll'h uf gl()hdl ll\ldc ~1nd ('()llll1H\l'l,'C' [()ci(])'. By ,Liun](' l'slimi.ltl)S, up Lo :10 
P('l"l't'lll or IIli~; ,l,,('<lhul'lH' Idb,)!' fnl'l'l' is j;illpillU. 
III 2(J12 ,t/OfIC, 111(' (,(Hill/r_\-' depl()yed ,l()h»)h:) Filipino .c;l'<-lI'nrcrs ilccordillg tn d':lla [furn the 
])hilil)])il)" ()\W!'Sl'i.1S ]':nlp!o)'llH'lll Administratio1] (PC)!':/\). In lIw S<lfnc' Y(-',ll', sl'aL:Ul'Lc; 
\-\'-l'rl~ 
n'j1orl('d lu hdVl' ])J'(Hlgh[ ill lip In US$ 4.1--\ billion lll' 2.2 lwrn:nl of lhc' lu[,tl fUl'eign fl'rnilLann:s 
llll' C(lllillry ]'{'('l'iv('d. 
~;l'<lLlr('rS til"lI willi l'irnllll';L_H1Cl:~; \'('ry difkl'l'11L (ruJl1 IHdinsLr('<:lfll UVl'fSC,lS 1-'iiil)i!1o 
VVOl'kl'r~ (l )I;\-,V:-;) <lnli ()liH'l' Sl'l't()['S \-vithil1 Lhl' LIlloI' (nrn'. I fO\\'VVl'f, l:xislillg li:lhor hnvs dnd 
SUC!,!! 
ll'gi~~Llli()!1, l)drlinildriy Ll-w (h-'CI'Sl,'<IS 1"ilipilllL'-i dnd Ivligl'(jl1l \\,'orkcrs' /\d uf [l)()6 (R/\. 
HI):!:?) du llO[ ,Hll'qll,lll,jy <lddn',Lis tlw lll'l'ds or Sl',l!',lfl'rs llor du Ihl')' Cldhl'n' l-u inL,'rn,--ltj(-lll<l1 
f('('OI',lli/,('d iIIS[rtlllll'Il[S, such <1.'-1 LIIOS(' oj' lltl' ]llh)rlldLioll<ll ],dbnr Org<lniZ, 
__ lLi()11 (l],U) <'-Hld lhe 
Illl\'l'!ldli(lll<li rv1(ll"ilillH' ()rgclIli;;,<lLion (Jr-'1C1). 
/\." i.l IlH'<L·il!rt' Llld[ dilllS [ll l'l))--II] lr(,j1l'l1si \"ci-" Pl"lll-l'cl lhl' rights l~j l:jJipillO <';(,(If{ln'l'S, Lhl' 
fOl"l')),oill!\ hill ;Jilll,''; [n (ill LIll' )',<lpS in Il'gishlLion. ~(,\,l'rdJ r('('l'l'l'lK(,S WCl'e c()l1sidl'l'l'd in lhl' 
CI",lflillg of Lhis hill. h)J"l'lll()Sl (If [hl'Sl' .In' '.li111ul lwenly (2()) /('gisldlivc' rnl',ISIIl"l'S nn S('clr<lring 
Hihidl \-\I('/"(' fil{'d dUJ'i11f', I'(ls/ l '()Il:~n'SSt''-;. f-'!'()ViSj(.))IS d(TJrH'd iX'Jl('fici,l1 lo ]"ilipinll sl',Jf,lrl'rS 
W(']\' !ifll'd 'lllll illl'tlrp(ll'clll'd illl(l Llll' l'lld()s('d pn)I_l(lsdl. 
!;ur ('f\lI)1tcl~;is, rlr(lvi~;inll') Ij'!))ll l'xi,,;titl~'! I<nv,'; \\'l'rc' i-)lsu irll'ludl:d, SUdl '-lS Lhose frum the 
J1!tilippillt' I,dhn]" ('\ldl';_ ()V('rSl'ils I:ilil)inos {,lId :Vligr'-lnL \VorkC'l'sJ !\c[ of 1995 (1\/\ 8(42); the 
])( )],:;\ 
~--;ld!Il_L.lrd 
]':1rlpl()~llll('11l ('oIlLr,-l('l; in[v!'n,llillllUI 
CUI1V(:l1liOII on the STCVV '7H, (lS 
i.lllll'Jld{'d; :)() II'() ('(1I1\'l'lllio)lS ]"('!l'\/,-1I1l Lll [-Ill' l'llllU'fns LIlld W('l1--hl~in~J) of SC'<JfClrt\["S, fOlH (4) of 
which v\,'(']'(' r,lLifil'd hy [Il(\ [)hilipl)illl's; i:l 1 H_I llll' dirfl'r,~nl l;;l,WS c]"('dLing i:!lld rc-sLryduring the. 
ddf!,rt'nl gOV('1"11JlH'IIL ,lgl'lll'il'S j'(,ll'V<ll1l Lo [h(' iJlh'rl'sL and \\,('If,.l1'l) of 1"iLipinu sl,(;\fan'l's. The 
]~('ViSl'd I\([h'~; (If (\Hlrl \v('rt' ,lis!) cUllsidvl'cd ill i"l'!atioll In lhe' jurisdiction and venlll: of illCgil! 
rvcruillll(,lll (',IS(':; 
,Illd 
!)lUlll'V (Idims. 1\('fl'I"L'I1U' 
\\-'l'n' (lls() 
lllelLil' to 
1,1\'VS l'H'ating lh(' 
f,oVl'rllllH'lll <:l)))!'IlCil'S l'lIUllll'fdll'd !ll'rVill [UI' [11\\ jlUll1lhl' ot l'llhilllC'illg tlll'ir lll'.lnLii.ltc' ~Hld 
fUllClilll\S t() pl"llvitlr' \1('[[('[" ~.;cl'\'i!'(' (lnd 1'll'nll'l'l1(1I1 Il) Sl'<:Ii"dl'l'l'S. 
&/~ 
"-------
SLNAT 
SONNY M, ANCARA 


2 
SIXII·:I·NIII ('UNl :1\1·:S(1 ()I< 'III E 
"I': I'lJ !JUl ()I<' '1'1 II·: 1'1111.11'1'1 N /·:S 
i<'irsL J\('gLllar Ses<.;inll 
S. B. No.l98S 
INTRO))UCliD BY Sl'NATOlt SONNY M. ANCARA 
AN ACT 
INSTlTUTlNC TIlIi MAGNA CARTA Ol; l'ILIPINO SFAl'AIUiRS 
lie il 1'11111'11'11 by IiiI' Smflll' mill Iiolise or Representative" or the l'iJilippines in Congress 
assetlJ [lIed: 
ClIAI'T1iR I 
:1 
CFNliRAL PROVISIONS 
4 
5 
SI·:CTlON. '/. Short Fit/e. This Act shilll be known as 'the "Maglla Carta of Filipillo 
6 
S('(I/a fen;," 
7 
X 
SliC. 2. J)ec/amlioll of Policies, It is herd)), declared the polic)' of the State: 
9 
10 
II 
12 
11 
14 
15 
Ih 
17 
IX 
19 
20 
21 
22 
23 
24 
25 
d) To n'l'ogniz() th(' rights, contrib,ut-ions and unique role of Filipino seafarers, as well as 
their vulnl'],(lhilili('s, c.ltld afford th0111 full proLeetlon 11ofo1'0, during dnd after thcix 
em ploy rll('11 l; 
b) To ddopl dll laws, rules and regulations for the benefit and safely of s('afarers that 
h(lvP h('l'll agn'lld upon in intcrndlio!1al convenLions especially, but not linlited to, 
tl1<' consolid<ll('d Marine Labor ConvC'ntion which was approved by the International 
I ,abor Organi/ation in 2006, dS part of tlw law of the land; 
c) To Illdinlain and progressively develop a pool of competent and world class domestic 
,111(1 inl('rnaliollai sC'dfiHcrs of all grad(~s and 1'cltings throu~h a system of education 
(ltld It'c.lining i:lt1d of i:H'cl'eciit,llion and 'licensing; and 
d) To ('Sli.lhlish llH'chanisrns for l-he enhancement of administrative, adjudicative, social 
dS well (1S w(~lf(nl' s(,rvices for sC~i:1farprs dnd their families. 
26 
TowdI'd till's(' ('nds, the State shdll endcodvor to improve the Filipino seafarer's working 
27 
conditions, [(~rtlls of (lJ11ploymenC career prospecls and provide them" opportunities to harness 
28 
tlll'ir potential to the (ullest. 'Ih, Stote shall further work to uplift the' socio-economic well-bl'ing 
29 
o( tlwir r('sl'eC'liv(' (aillilies. 
10 
11 
SI!C .. 1, iI/J/J/ica/Jilillj. All rights olld bellefits granted under this Act shall, except as ma)' 
12 
otherwis(' 1)(' provided IWI'('il1, apply to the, I'jjipino seafarers as defined Iwrein. All rights, 
1:1 
privileges and hendits pl'('viousl)' enjoyed h)' I;ilipino s('afmers before the effectivit)' of this Acl, 
14 
(csp('('i,1I1), bul nol lilllited 10 thos" sC'l forth in Republic Acl 8042, shall continue to be recognized 
35 
and shall not I", dill1inislwd <11'1('1' II", orfectivil), of this Act. 
:16 
37 
SI!C'. 4. lkfiJlilioJls. For purposes of lhis Act, the following terms shall have the 
JR 
following ddillilions: 
19 


I 
2 
:l 
4 
5 
G 
7 
8 
9 
10 
II 
12 
11 
14 
15 
16 
17 
18 
I () 
20 
21 
22 
23 
24 
25 
2(, 
27 
28 
29 
iO 
11 
12 
3] 
34 
15 
36 
37 
J8 
30 
40 
41 
42 
4J 
44 
'15 
4(, 
47 
48 
49 
50 
51 
52 
51 
54 
55 
56 
57 
58 
5() 
a) 
b) 
d) 
r) 
g) 
il) 
i) 
j) 
k) 
I) 
Ill) 
11) 
0) 
p) 
"ClM" refers 10 tile Cooperativc Developmcnt I\uthority; 
"COllllllissioll Oil Iligher EdltCIIUOII (CIlLll)" refers to thl' government agency 
l'I't'dlud IHI!'sU<lnt to l~(lpublic Act No. 7722; 
"Ill'/ill 1'1 1111'11 I of Ld/[catioll (lJcp-Ld)" refers to the governnwnt agency created 
pursuant to I':x('['utiv(' Urder NO,I17 (30 jOl1uart; 1:)87), as amended by Republic 
!\cts 7722, 77%, and 9155 (/I !luxusll(01); 
"IlI'par/lIll'lIl of r01'('igll IIffllil's (IJI,;\)" refprs to the government agency created 
plirSuillltto "l'!'ublic i\ct No, 7157; 
"1l1'/1(11'/l1ll'1I1 of !.II/IOI' Ilwl J:lllp[O.'!1IICIII (DOl.EY' refers to tl", govern'ment 
<11',('n('y cl'l'atl'd pursuant to 1':xpcutivP Ordpr No, 292; 
"1l1'1'"1'11l1l'1l1 oj'i'l'IIlIsportlllioll IlIIiI COlI1/1I1miclltioll,,' (DOrC)" refr'rs to the 
!',OV("'tllll('nt agcncy created pursuant to b:Xlnltive Order Nos, '125 and ]25-1\ 
s('ril's ur19R7; 
"IJq1tl1'11lI'e" rders to tl10 actual dl'parturc from tl", point of hire' of a Filipino 
Sl'af"I'('I' through ail', S('" or land travel trails port to join his vessd in a Philippine 
or (01'llign port; 
Ii/I.O lf I'l'f('rs to the Intern,alionell ! ,about' Orgdnil'.ation; 
1/11\110" rd"(,rs to 1"h0 lnlcl'nC1liollClI rVlarili1110 Orgilnizalion; 
JtIJ~lor11ltll B/acklistillg" l'efC:'l's to the unlawful prdcticc of manning or crewinp; 
dP/'IlCil's OJ' recruitmpnt and pidcC'nlcnl services, or companies Lo d-irectly or 
inciin'clly preV('llt 
01' detl'l' s('"rarel's, without valid cause from gaining 
productive l'll1P loy ll1C'nt, whdher tho job applicant is for employment or 
['('cnlllloy lllC'nt; 
"l.in'II"'" ['('/el's to the doculllent issuec\ by the DOU': authorizing any person or 
(lnlity to Op(~rdll' d l1lanning dgC'IlCY; 
Jlf'dllll11iJIg Of CI'l'wiIlX Agellcil'f"'" or J//~ecI1Litl1Jelll {llld PIllCeJJlCllt Services" shall 
I'l'f(~r to <:lny pprsol1, compdny, institUtion, agency 01' othpr organization in the 
public or private sector, which is engaged in rpcruiting seafarers on hehalf of the 
('I11ploy('l's or picH'ing s()afat'crs with employers; 
iJl'darili1Jlt' 
Illdll~tl'y" refers [0 ell! enterprises enga)?;ed in the business of 
Illilililging ilnd/ or "perilting shipping lines, management' of ports, stevedoring 
(\ITClstrc, ClistOtllS brokerage dnd Glrgo surveys; of ship brokcring or chartering, 
Li{'signing, 
constructing, 
manu(clClul'ing, 
acquiring, 
operating, 
supplying, 
n'(hliring (lnLi/or ll1i:lintaining vessels, or component parts thereof; of shipyards 
(lnd dry-docks; of providing maritimc services such as ship supplLes, ship 
tlli:ltlning i:ll1el 
training, nli:lt'ilime l'onsuil-!:ltll'Y, ship repclirs, nldchine shops, 
shipping i:1P/~nl'i('s, frl~ight {orwdrding dnd sinlilar (~nterprisps; 
"!'i/lIl'ilillll' 11lI11I"try Allthol'ity (MAI,INA)" rl'iL'rs to lIw eovernment ilgency 
('['('died pllfstJC:lnt 1-0 Pl'esidl'nliaj Decre'e 474; 
"f't1arili1Jll' '['raill i1lS· Cou1lcil (IHTC)" l'c(crs to the governnlenl agency crcated 
1)'"'SlI<lnt to Letter of Instruction '1404; 
J?'r'lo . .,l('r" rd'cl's to il 5(~i:lfi:lrer who has lhc COnln1i::lnd and is in-charge of thc vessel 
hl'itli; thl' n)prc~s(~nt(ltiv(~ of thQ vessel> owner; 
2 


2 
3 
II 
5 
() 
7 
X 
9 
10 
" 
12 
11 
14 
15 
16 
17 
18 
19 
20 
21 
22 
23 
24 
25 
2(, 
27 
28 
29 
10 
31 
32 
11 
14 
15 
36 
37 
38 
]9 
40 
41 
42 
43 
44 
45 
46 
47 
48 
49 
50 
51 
52 
'i1 
54 
55 
'i(, 
57 
58 
59 
q) 
r) 
5) 
L) 
1I) 
v) 
w) 
x) 
y) 
z) 
bb) 
rc) 
del) 
l 'l ,) 
ff) 
"MLC 2()()(j" rC'i'c'rs to theconsolid'lted Maritime Labor Convention approved by 
Ill(' IU) in 2006; 
"Natiollal IVlurilillll' Polytechnic" refers to the only govprnn1c.nl-o\vned 
tll(lrililll(~ trdining ('t'llt(~r in the cOLintry (re'ated plHsuant to Presidential Decre(l 
No. '1-'169 {)nd l1li:JI1cli:llcci to conduct trdining to Filipino seafarers and 111aritinlc 
n~S('(l reh; 
"NSO" refers 10 the Ndtiondl Statislics Office; 
IIOflicer" rd'('rs to ~l seafarer otl1l~r th<:l11 thp iV'1ash~r who is designated by national 
law or 1'l'Jl.,ulalion as dn officer or is sorving in {-hill capacity, sLlch as the 3rd 111ate, 
2nd n1i:ll(', chi('f male, 
llll~ l11i:lrinc engineer officers in the enp)ne, and other 
SI1l'cii:d officers tlC'(~dcd in th(~ vessel; 
"(hl('rs"as Workers Wd/Ill''' IIdlllillis/1'Iltioll (OWWA)" refers to the p;ovprnment 
"!,,"Ilcy lTl'dled purSudllt Lo FxcclItivl' Oreler No,126; 
"Philippille Caast Cllard (pec)" refers Lo the government agl'tlcy created 
pur5u,1IllLo l\epllblic Act No, 5'17:1; 
"Philippille Oversells ElIlploljlllent !\dlllillislratioll (1'0£11)" refers to the 
governllll'ni d!'/,IlCY ('I'l'atl'd pursuant 10 l':xl'cutive Order No, 797, dS amended by 
1':x('cuLiv(' Orc\l'r No, 247; 
"Philippill£' Porl" n~(0I'S to any point of hi}'(~ which 1l1ay either be d Philippine 
<lirpnrt or S(\:lPOrL; 
"Phi lippi Ill' 
1'01'[._ All tI/Ori ty (p PA)" refers to Lhe govern ment corporation 
cn'(lt(~d pursuant to Prosid(~nti(-l! J)pcrecl No. 55 as amended by, anlOng others, 
1':x('l'lliiVl' Clrcil'r No, 159 s['I'il's 0(1987; 
ilPHC
Ff 
J'(~rprs to the' [-)rofc1ssiol1di RC'7,u1i:ltion COllll11ission; 
"Philippi Ill' Sell(lIrer Olle-Slop Processing Cellier (I'SOC)" rders to the facility 
('('Iller which hOlls()s <:111 relevant offices 01' appncies involved in providing 
s('rvic(ls to seafarers in ()Ill' roo/~ created under Administrative Order No. 56 on 
2,1 J"llu","y 20m; 
IJPltilil'pine ShiPP;IlS Compallies" refer to entities registcrc~d and licensed under 
Lhe l<1wS of the I'hilippilll's Lo l'nf,dgl' in \lw busi!lC'sS .of oversedS and/or 
dOllll'stic waler lrdnsport'alion; 
"Poillt o( lIire" rders to Lhe pl(1l'c indicated in the contract of employment which 
siJrlll he' tlH~ basis (or determining commencement and termination of contract; 
1JPrillcipal" or "Empl()yer" refers to any p(~rson/ partnership or corporation 
n~gisler('d (lnd duly (luthorizr~d to employ F(Jipino sQafarers in its overseas 
shipping ddivltips; 
JlU([liJl,!(' i\'kTS to <:lny membor of the crl'\V oth0r than the Master or lhe.Officer, 
who is considC'red i.1S ordinary SPelman, abl!? seaman, boatswrrin or bosun in the 
deck; IIH' wiper, !llOIOl'lllClIl, filters 'and such othl'r special rdtings needed on 
hOi:lrclllH'vessel; 
JlHl'CrllilJllelli {[1ll1 
l'[uct!J1Wllt// refers to dlly ac( or canvassing, cnlisUn!j/ 
contracting, transporting, lItili7ing, hiring or rrocul'ing workers, and inclu(h~ 
rt'f(' lTd Is, contact servicC's, promising or advcrLising enlployrnent, locally or 
i.lbrOi:HI, whdhl'r for profit 01' nOl; 
3 


2 
3 
f) 
5 
(, 
7 
g 
() 
to 
II 
12 
I :1 
14 
15 
16 
17 
18 
1<) 
20 
21 
22 
21 
24 
25 
2(, 
27 
n 
2') 
30 
J I 
JX 
gg) 
hh) 
i i) 
jj) 
kk) 
1/) 
"Seafarer or filipillo S,'afllrer" refers to dlly rilipino who fulfills tlw conditions 
10 \w (,tllploy('d or engi:lgl)d or lo work on board a ship or vessel as defined 
hcn'in olhl'I' t-h,-1I1 
i:l government ship llsed for 1l1iHlary or non-commercial 
I'lirposes. TIll' two (2) kinds o( I!ilirino s"d(,wer arc: 
i. 
"J)OIll£'sriC Seafarer"~ refers to a -~qlipino seafarer on board (l Philippine-
rc~f,ist('rl'd ship or vrsse! not engag()d in international voyage; 
II, 
"(h)Cf.':;('(lS S('t~r{(rerlf refers t-o Filipino seafarer f'J11ployed or enr,aged or 
working in (lllY cap,-lCit-y on board a ship engi:-lfjcd in international voyage; 
"SilipmPJIl'r" r(,/prs 
10 Ihe company or own('r of Ihe ship or any other 
org<:lt1iz(llion OJ' person, such ,1S the mClnagrr, agent or bareboat charterer, "vho 
11(" assumed til(' ]"('sponsibility for operation and management of the ship (rom 
tl1<' ship OWI1l'r, ailli who, on assun1ing such responsibilities, has agreed to take 
OWl' "11th,, ,,(I('ndant duties and responsibilities of d ship owner; 
JlSTC\"-" 1n78" n'(crs to the lnterndliondl Convention on Stand,lI'ds of Training, 
C('rtification <lIld Wa\ch-k"eping (or Seafarers, '197R as amended in 1995 and 
20W; 
"VI'''''' or s/llj]" includes i1l1Y ship or boat of any nature whatsoever; ordinarily 
l'nl',al',l'Li in ll1drilimc navigillion, including mobile off-shore units capable of 
ni:lvip,i:llin)', under its own power; 
"('l'cllIliCilI Ldllcalioll IlIIII Skills J)cve!0plIlclll illlihority (T£SI)/l)" refers to the 
gov(lrnl1ll'lll agency created pursuclntto Republic Act No. 7796; 
II/,LUC" rd'ers lo thl' Technical dnd I :ivC'lihood Resource Cent-er; and 
/III/I) 
"WIIO" rdcrs 10 til(' World ll"allh Organization. 
CHAPTER II 
HUI'INO SEAFARER'S RIGHTS 
39 
SH:. 5. I<igltl 10 l:dllCilliol/lIl /ldVIIIICfI/Il'1/1 allll Trail/illg III i<ellsollllble IIwl AJJonlable 
40 
Co,'s. 'I'h" Stilt(' shdll ('nsure Filipino s('afarNs, whdher plying the domestic or international 
41 
waters, (l('('('ss t-o l'dUCi:llional i:1civancet1wnt- and tri:lining i:lt reasoni:lble and affordable costs. 
42 
41 
44 
45 
4CJ 
47 
4R 
4') 
50 
51 
Towdnl lhis Plld, till' Stall~ shall: 
a) 
h) 
r"I',III"l,' tlw ol'c'r"tion of all educational, training and r"vil'w institutions offcrinp, 
COIJrSl'S rdalcd to s('clL:1J'ing; and 
pursue p,rant prograills sllch as scholarships, subsidies, loan assistance and other 
IlH' dSLIn' s lildl will 
hdrlH~SS the skills of Filipino Sl'ahll'E'I'S towc:1l"d 
greah~r 
cOJllpdilivt~n('ss to nl'W deJl1dlllis in thl' industry. 
52 
SI~C. 6. Uigltr 10 l~ell'1}fl1Jl illformatio1l. The 5t-ate shall ensure that manning or crewing 
5] 
dg('n('il~s sI"1l111 prnvidp Filipino s(,dfan~J's with adeqLldtc and relevanl infornlat-ion t-o Jnakc them 
50 
uIH\el"sti:llld thl'i]' rights, bl'IW(it-s, obligat-ions, conditions and realities altending to their 
55 
prof('ssion, dnd laws clild J'l'gulalions of countries covcn~d by thelr sojourn. 
56 
57 
Toward lhis l'llli, Illi:lnning 01' crowing ag(~nciC's, dnd oth(~r organizations responsible for 
5R 
till' recruitillent anel (,Illploynll'nt of Filirino sl'afarers, whether plying the domestic or 
5() 
inlerllaliolldl 
vV(1tt'rs, shall 
b(~ I1ldnd-alcd to rnake every conlr,1ct df enlploymcnl', 
thf~ 
4 


COll1putation and Il1dnlll'r by which sdlMi"s Me rell1illed to their allottees, and the specific 
2 
privilel',('s 'lild hl'nl'iils aVdrlable in Ihe conlract of Cll1ploynwnl, accessible to their recruits or 
] 
c[i(,lltl'I(1,). 
1\ 
S 
All Sl'dfC:ln'rs shedl hi:lvP {)C('(~ss to an c:Hicic:nl, adequate and accountable systetn for 
() 
find in~~ (ll11ploYIT1('nl on hoard ship vvithoLlt charge lQ the s~afarcr. 
7 
X 
SH·. 7. Rig/II 10 IIl1l1wlle COlldiliollS of Work ami Right to just COJllpellsatioll. Tlw 
l) 
'ilall' slwll p,udlallllCl' Filipino sCdfMcrs the right to humdne conditions 01 work, tlw right to a 
10 
safl' and ",,'UI'[' IVorkplan' Ihal complies wilh safety sl'lndd1'ds, the right 10 decc,nt working and 
11 
living condilions 011 hOdrd ship, llw right to hc,:llth pl'otoctiol1, medical CcH0, \vp!faro nlpasures 
12 
,md (llill'r forms of soci,lI proleclion, Ihe right 10 fair t"rllls of employment and til(' right 10 
11 
Sldllli,ll'd Sali.H)' l'0l11l11l'11Slll'dl(' to their rdnk, hours of work and other I'plcvi:lnt has is (or wdgc 
14 
computation, minimulll Ilumber of workinp; hours, n~st day, vddltion payi, and end-oF-contract' 
I:; 
pay in dccordance with Ihe d),,rcen1C'nl of lhe partic's concerned and with existing domestic and 
1 () 
inlcrndlion,li Idw. 
17 
18 
SEC. 8. UiSlIh 10 Se/f-lJ1:r:llllizllriOll, 10 Eusage ill Collective Bargaini1lg aud to 
19 
i'arlicipale ill ne/l/ocmiic /;xerei,,'.'. The. Stale shall ensure Filipino seafarcrs of their right 10 
20 
sl'lf-orgi.lIlizdtion, to coll('cliv(' bargclining (lIld to participat(~ in the de1ib(~rdtion of issues and in 
21 
Ihe forilluidiion of policil's lhat affeci tlwlll, including the guarantee of representation in 
22 
gov(lrning boards or dppoilllm{'nl in gov('rnmcnt instrumentalities, to include, but not lin1ited 
23 
10, I Ill' (III'T), 'I'I':S I) ;\, 1'1\(" I'Cl 1':1\, ClWW 1\, IVI;\ RI N 1\. 
24 
SH·. 9. Uighi 10 /,egill NI'rn'.,ellilltioll. Filipino spafMers who are victims of illegal 
25 
n'ct'uilmc'llL, dle'gi:ll dismissal 01' suspension and olher forrns of violahon of contracts shall have 
26 
lhl~ righl to fH'P \('gdl dssistdllCC' i:lIld protection elt governn1ent expense. Courts, administrative 
27 
dg('nC!l'S, dnd ollll'r Iribunals should l'nsm" d slll'edy and impartidl disposition of thpir cases. 
28 
FVl'ry Sl'dfdt'cr i:H.·CllSl'd of committing i.ltl)T or"fense in violation of any provision of his or 
20 
her (,OJliJ'llcl has [Ill' righllo dup prOl'l'SS, an impartial tribunal and cldministTcltive body, and an 
10 
('Xlwditlous }ldy11ll'nl of dill"d);"S dnd lidbility in UlSl'S whorl' till' judglllent is favordble to the 
3 I 
1"ilipill0 spafdl'l't'. 
32 
1:; 
SH:. 'Ill. l<iS/lt to Hel'lI/rilltioll. S"dfar"l's hdve d right to be I'cp,)tridled at no cost to 
34 
Ilw11lselvl's in Ihe cir('u11lsldncl's dnd Ul;dcr the conditions specified in the implen1l'nLing rules 
]:; 
dnd l'('l',ulalions of Ihis I\cl. 
36 
]7 
SI!C.I'1, l<iS/lt /\gaillst UisCI'illlilllllioll al/{I Other Righls (lilt! Privileges. Equal 
3); 
n'l1lunl'I'<lIion for work of equdl valul' shdll dPply to al! seafdrers cmployed on tbe same ship 
39 
without disct'imindlion 
b(lsc~d upon 
J'i:1CC, color, sex, rdigion, political opinion, national 
'i0 
l'xtrdclioJl or socidl origin. All other rif',hts and privileges of spafarers recognized or granted 
41 
under the MI.C 2()()6, ,mel olhel' suiJsequ('nl ('onv('11tions with even better rights and privileges 
42 
for "'dfdr"rs which 11ldY be dl'proveci by thl' 11.0, Ille Unit"d Ndlions or other inlernational 
43 
b()(li,'s in Ihe fulun', shilil be l'njoy('cI by Filipino sCdfmcrs. 
44 
4') 
ShC'.12. Hight 10 Speedlf Processillg of All /JOCllIIl/'lIls fllld Claims. The processing of 
46 
dll docunH'nls 'll','d,'d by, dnd cla!11ls of, Filipino seafarers shdl! he spcedy dnd not subjc'ct to 
47 
(lilY lInr('dsondhll' d('I,lY. 
48 
4') 
SH'. n. 
{<ig/II 10 COlls'llliatioll 0/1 All Matlers Affectillg Seafarers. Seafarel's and 
50 
s(,i:lf(lrc~r orgi:llliztllions shall lw consulted by tiw government before adopting any policy, 1aw, 
51 
('Xl'culivl' issualH'l" rull' or reguldlion Ihat 1l1dY directly or indirectly affect them and/or their 
S2 
fdmili('s i:wei bl'IlPficidrips. 
S3 
54 
SLC, 'f!I. l<iS/11 ;Igllitlsl Heitlg C!targed "" Treilledils a Cri/l/inal Suspect ill Accidellt awl 
S5 
Polfulioll Cases, No crimilli:ll Ci:lSl' shall be filed against a Se(;lFdrer and no seafarer shall be 
SC) 
In'att'd (lS lll'l'il11ini:ll SLlspPct in i:IccidC'nt and pollution casus unless there is a primnfacic 
')7 
5 


I 
evid,'nco Ihal Ill<' said accidenl and Ihe causc of t1w pollution is directly the result of the 
2 
dr'lih(~ri:llp crimirw] dl'cd or lh(~ scaL:lrer concerned. 
1 
!\ 
SI':C. 'IS. Highl to COlJl1JtlJlIica/-ioll. The' rip)ht of the s(~afarE'r to conlmuni('al(~ shall not be 
5 
ViO]dL(?d ill {lilY INdy suhjed lo rc'dsotli:lblc restrictions that shedl be statC'd in his 0111ployment 
6 
{'onlrdd, which shedl hp clearly t'xpldined to him hefore signing. 
7 
R 
SliC.16. I< iS11 1 0/ Sellftll'el's, Setl/lll'el'-al'J1liclillts, SI'Il/al'l'I'-traillees, Cadets, ]Illems Illld 
9 
Silllilor I','rsolls !lgoillsl Lx!,!oi!lIlioll, AllY Killd of P"Y5iml lIarlll, lIazillg, Sexual 
10 
/lOI'll."II/{'III, lIirlllol I'eollose, ,,{{{'wry, Ill'luigery, {lIvolulltary, UI/paid or UI/derpaid Servitude 
II 
Sltoll He Cuom/{/",'" fly lite S/Il/". TOWMds this end, the practic,' of subjecting th" said persons 
12 
to invo]unlClry, unpaid or unLi('rpdid work or scrvitud(-~, virtual peonage, sl~lvery and drudgery 
1:1 
sh,lIl h,'nc,'forth hl' slOPIWd ,lnt! any w(irk or servilude of the said persons shall hcnceforlh be 
14 
',\lith fair ,lilt! ['('<:lsOJl(lbl(' pi:l)' or l'('mullcl,(llion dnd with proper observation or ilnplcmentation 
I S 
of ('xisting [dhor ldws, ruh's and l\'gtiJalions. Any kind of ('xploitalioll, physical hanl1, hazing or 
16 
sexu,lI harassnlent againslll", said persons shall likewise l", slrictly prohihited. 
17 
18 
SliC 17. 
Other liigilis. All olher righls (,njoyed by OFWs and Filipino worke'rs 
19 
employl'd in till' I'hillppines and olher rights enjoyed by all workers as recognized by the ILO, 
20 
Uniled Nations ill1d otlwr international bodies that Me applicable to Filipino scaiarl'rs shall 
21 
likt'wisl' IX' l'njo)'l'C\ hy all Filipino sl'afarers. 
22 
n 
2'\ 
ellA J'T1iR'In 
25 
26 
1'111 1.I1'I'IN I', SliA FAltER ONF-STOl' PROCESSING CENTER 
27 
28 
She. IH, I'ltiliJIIlille Sea/arer Olle-S/op Processillg Ceuter (PSOC). The PSOC, as 
29 
established und,'r Administrative Ord,'r No. 56, has been tasked to operationalize and make 
30 
avail"bl,' to til<' puhlic, 'lll inlegrall'd document processing cenler for the seafarers and the 
3 I 
)',,'n0rdl I'" hi ic to mnd ud ofl'ic ia I Iransactions. 
32 
31 
34 
15 
.lCl 
l,7 
38 
YJ 
40 
41 
42 
41 
44 
45 
46 
47 
48 
4') 
50 
51 
52 
53 
54 
55 
56 
57 
58 
59 
"SOC' sh'lll h,lV" the servicl's of 11ll' following government offices: 
il) 
(lV('rSl'as Workers Welfare I\dministralion (OWWA); 
11) 
('O(lllllission on Ilighl'r I,:ducdlion (ell I,:rl); 
c) 
]'rofl'ssion,d i\.('guldiiotl COnlmission (PRe); 
d) 
T('ciJllicdl 1':duCdl'Oll dnti Skills lJewlopnwlll Authority (TESJ)A); 
,,) 
MdrilillH' Induslry Aulhorily (MARINA); 
I) 
Ndtlolldl T,'I"COlllnl(((1icaliolls Office (NTC); 
g) 
~,J(}/'i tlllle T('(Ji II in g C (lU nc iI (MTe:); 
h) 
iJ"I'drtI1H'lll of Foreign Alfdirs (DeA); 
i) 
Nclt-iOtli:il Bun'i;lu of lnvpsligalion (NHI); 
il 
Socidl Scnlrity System (SSS); 
k) 
l'd1',-111IC I!ulld; 
I) 
l'hilil'l'i,w COdst euard (I'Ce); 
m) 
l'hiliPl'illc OverS"dS leJllploynwnll\dminislrdlion (I'OEA); 
ll) 
Ndliolldl ~jtalistics Office (NSO); dnd 
0) 
Such other government orfic(~s lhallho S0('n~Lary of DOl ,r. 111ay deC:111 necessary. 
SliC. '19. l":'UUOIlU/izill:.;- C:O'Oi'tllIJlCJli" SvslclIls (lilt! Procedures. The government offices 
l'nulll,'rdl"d ,md('r Section 18 hen'ol shall, within three (3) months from the effectivity of this 
/\cI, dnd ill (,OIlSUJt<:l!iOIl with s('flfd],('l' organizations, rccruitn1C'nl (lgency associations, and n011-
govPl'IlIllPnl orgi:lIli/.i:llions conc('rnpLi, l'dtiOt1dlizc and strPdt11lin0 policies, rules, and proc~durcs 
I',ov''''ning Ihe docunwnlation, li('('nsing, certification, recruitnwnt, hiring dnd deployment of 
sC'dfdrc'rs i:1tHI [ht, OliWS, in p,l)neraL 
,S,Jid offic,'s, thro((gh th,' I'SOC, shall enforce L1w Slreamlining of policies and procedures 
involved in oversedS clllploYl11ent with Ihe view of cutting the time required for documentary 
6 


pnw('ssin!'" simplifying Iicl'nsing i:ltlel certifiCdlion r~'occdurc~s, and facilitating (he extension of 
2 
welfd!'l' i:ltld Sll P[J{)rl sc!,yjl\~S to th(~ir rcspecliY(' clients. 
3 
4 
5 
() 
7 
H 
') 
10 
II 
12 
IJ 
14 
15 
16 
17 
18 
19 
20 
21 
22 
23 
24 
25 
26 
27 
28 
20 
30 
31 
32 
33 
34 
35 
36 
:n 
JS 
3() 
'l'h(lS(' sln'dllllining ('Horls sh,dl focus Oil, an10ng others: 
b) 
c) 
eI) 
I) 
g) 
11) 
i) 
silllplifi'"<llion of SYSIC"llS and procedures and reduction of documentary 
n~(lll j n'lllC'nls; 
il1lplclllcntallOIl of Ihe full disciosul"l' policy; 
formulalion anel impl"IllC'nlation of a system of registration of seafarers and 
ollH'1' Ol<'\t\,!s, lhl' registration, accreditation, ,mel licensing of private nlanning or 
cn'\ving Clppncil's, dilL! i:lll other rdatC'?d regulatory fUllclioll; 
cdilllinalioll of unllC'cessmy and duplicative requircnlC'nts thai go beyond Ihe 
n'l[uir"nH'nl, as defined in Ihe STCWI978; 
fOrnlldi.llion of 
i.l 
rC'gulclh.xi c'lllpioynlpnt standard setting by prescrihing 
minimum provisions of the (~lllploynlPnt contract, in conformity with labor 
sUllldi.lrd UI1c\(~l' PhilippillP lmvs (lnd regulatiolls; 
n'gultltion of plllCl'l1wnt fee policy; 
fOrlllUIi:ltion o( l'uiL's th,ll ensure speedy disposition of jllcgall'ecruitment cases; 
d('vt,lopml'nl and impiPIllC'ntdtion of an 
efh~ctive information program, in 
('oordindliotl wifh 11l,1nning or crevving ag"(~ncies for the purpose of informing the 
Sl'df,ltrrs of thl~ir rights, obligations, bpn(~fits, and option p(~rlaininp; to specific 
siludliolls Ihdllhl'Y may rdCC ill the course of their employment; and 
/O('llllddtioll or ruie's th"t shall furlher ('nsmc til(> ql1plementation of the law on 
Ihe "xl'mptiOIl from any tax of all the remittancE'S into the counlry of seafarers 
{,Illploy('d ()V('I'SC'(lS and the protection of said seafarers froDl vagup, unnecessary 
or ('xorhiL:lnt 1'c'milldIlCP (('05 and ch,lI'ges, as \vell as rules that shan ensure that 
the !'atc' of ClllT(lncy l)xchangc~, unlpss otherwise provided, shall in accordance 
with Id\vS or regulations, 11(1 at the prevailing mdrk(-'l rate or the official published 
ri:lll' ,lIld not unfdyori:1bl(' to the sPd(ilrcr. 
,iO 
CIlAI'TliH IV 
41 
42 
MANDATORY RI!QUIRFMI,NTS FOR BUI'INO SliAI:ARERS 
in 
44 
SI!c. 20. MIII/tialory Mil/illllllll ['L'ql/irL'IIIL'l/ls, To be eligible for employment, a seafarer 
45 
nlu,l: 
46 
,\7 
48 
,10 
50 
SI 
52 
53 
54 
55 
56 
57 
58 
5') 
!o) 
c) 
be' d Filipino citizen; 
be' al !r'asl, l'ighil"'" (I R) ye>dI's old, excepl as may be determined by the DOLE 
Sl'['I"eldl'Y dnd subjecllo the provisions of the last Ihree pilragraphs of this section; 
Ill' fll for dUly as cerlified by till' government-accredited institution authorized to 
conduct physici.lI and 1l1edical examination [oJ' overseas employment without 
Yiolclling lill' bdSic right ·o( II sCi:lfarer or seafarer-applicant to choose the 
govl'rlltllpnt-<:lccrC'diled clinic lhdt will perfornl physicat J1lE-'dicai, optical and/or 
d"ntal l'xaillinalioll; Pnmidcd, ·Ihal sed(arcrs who have been refused a certificate 
or h,lVl' h,:ld a limit-at-ion inlpos0d on th()ir ability to work, ill particular vviih 
r('slwel 10 lime, fit·ld of work 01' trading art'a, shall he given the opportunity to 
havc' a furl11l'r examinalion by anotl1(>1' indL'pl'ndent medical practitioner 01' by cln 
7 


2 
3 
4 
5 
(, 
7 
8 
') 
[0 
[ [ 
[2 
I ~ 
14 
[5 
[6 
[7 
[8 
[') 
20 
2[ 
22 
2] 
24 
2S 
2() 
el) 
f) 
inLil'pl'n(\enl Illl'dica[ referct' duly ccrlificcl dS such by the DOLE Secretary; 
('rooi,let! fUI"[[wr, thdt un[css a shorter period is required by reason of the specific 
dutil'S to h,' performed by the seafarer concerned or is required under STCW 
[<)7[;, d nll'dil'i][ certificdle s[",[[ be valid for a mdxin1l1m period of two (2) years 
UIlIt'SS [11l' sCi.lfi.ln~r is undcr [hl' <:lC;C~ o( eighteC'n CIS), in which caso the maXinll1t11 
pcriod of vd[idily sh,lI[ lw Dill' (I) Y(''''' 'lild a certification of color vision shall be 
vd[iel for a nlaxil1lul1l pcriod of six (6) yr'ars; Provided fin'ally, that a I1lccliccll 
('('rlificdle issued In d('('llI'cidnCe Wil[1 the requirements ofSTCW1978 as amended 
shedl be' i:H'Cl'pl('d hy the manning or cl'ewing agencios, 1l1Pdical practiUoners, 
('Xi:llllin('rs, shipowner.:,', 
s(',lfarcl's' 
I'CPI'(!s(~nl-ativcs 
and all other persons 
l'onn'rIH'd 
with 
l'h(~ conduct of 1l1edical fit-n(lss 
pX(lminations of seafarer 
cdndicidles dnd serving s('afarers should fol[ow Ilw lLO 01' WHO guidelilws 101' 
mnduclinl', ]1I'C-5l'd and Iwriodic medical fitness examinations for seafarers, 
including any subsl'qlJcnl versions, ,1I1d any other applicable international 
guidelines 1)llblishl'd by Ilw 11.0, trw IMO or the WHO; 
nll'PI I[W qualification and certification l'l'quiremenls prcscriblxl by the DOLE 
,1Ild Ilw sldnddJ'd 1'l"luil'l'1ll0nIS under the STCW "1978, and other ILO-prescribecl 
rel('Vdnt stanLi(lrcis; 
be 1'l'giSll'I'('d wilh ilnd duly certified by thl' DOLE ilS eligible for overseas 
l'lllp[oYllll'nl if emp[oyed OVl'I'Sl'aS, ilnd as eligible fol' local employment if 
s('rving on board domC'stic or inter-island vesscls; and 
mlllp[y with olher ljlld[ificdlion requirements as may be prescribed by Ihe DOLE 
in kl)('pin~)J with inll'rni:lliolldi dC'mi:ltlds. 
27 
1\'l'Sl"IS (lnder Ihe ilPi' of elghlecn (IS) years shil[[ not Iw clllployed or work on vessels, 
28 
otiwl' Ihan V(,SSl'[S (lpon which only n1l'1111wrs of till' Sdllle fdmi[y are l't11p[oycd but this shall not 
21) 
apply 10 work dOlw by chi[drl'n or school-ship or training-ship; Provided thai such work 
]0 
al'pl'llVl'd and sLiperviSl'd by Ihe 1/01,/\ S"C('l'Plilly In order to facililale the enforcement of this 
1 [ 
[ll'Ovlsion, l'vcry siripllliLsler shd[[ be required to keep d I\'gistry of all persons under the age of 
32 
eighl(','n (IH) Yl'drs l'nlp[oyed on bOdrci his vesspl, or d list or IhOlll in the articles of agreement, 
33 
ilI1r1 of 1[", ddi<'S of their births, 
14 
Nighlwork of sl'arMers lIncir'r tlw aw, of eighteen ("J8) shall be prohibited, For the 
35 
purposl~s of this SL:1I1di:ll'lt nighl shall be definl~S in accordance with the national law and 
]6 
pri:ll'lin'. It shi.dlcovl'1' ,1 pL'riod of at I(,(lst nine hours starling no laler than midnight and cndinr, 
37 
no eddic'r lirdll " d,l11, ;\n l'x('eplion 10 stl'ict cOl11plianCl' with the nightwork restriction may be 
38 
Illadl' by I[ll' I JOI ,I,: Sl'l'l'cldry when: (a) the effl,clive training of the seafarers concerned, in 
39 
accorddnl'l' wilh esldb[isiwd I'rogrdml11CS and schedules, would be impaired; or (b) the specific 
40 
Il(lllln~ of lh(~ duLy or cl I\lcognizcd training progn:1111tlK' requires that the seafarers covcrcd by 
4 [ 
I[w l'xc"pliol1 J1l'rfoJ'll1 dUlil's dl night and Ihe DOLI; Secretary determines, after consultation 
42 
with lh" shipowtll'rs 
(111<.1 
S(~i:lL:1J'()1' org<:-lni:/.alions concerned, that the work will not be 
4:1 
dl'lriln"nla[ 10 Ih"ir [wdllh or w,,[[-being, 
44 
The' llll1p!O)'tl\{)lll, pngi:lFpmcnl or work o{ soa{arers under the'nee of eightcf'n ClR) sha11 
45 
be J)rohibiled wh"n' lire work is likely to jeopardiz" their health or safcty, The types of such 
46 
wok shall bl' dell'rmilwd hy this i\d's implemenling rules and regulations or by the DOLE 
47 
S('crdary, dft('r cotlsliltaliotl with t-1w shipovvnpr clnd seclfal'cr organizations concerned, in 
4R 
i:H'('o]'LidtlCP with n'lev.:ltll inlc'l'tldLional sl'dndards. 
4l) 
Sec. 2"1. J:ducl/liol/. i\ Fi[ipino sl'afarer l11ust have at [east successfully completed the 
50 
required ["Isic cou rses ilS provided for in the curriculum approved by the CHEf) or Ihe TESIJA 
51 
The imp\r,nl('nling rulr's and regu[alions of this i\ct shall sl't Ihe educational and training 
S2 
1"l'(juirC'tlH'l1ls for {'dch classificalion of spafaret's. 
53 
54 
Slit', 22. Trai1lillg. J\ liilipitlo S(';:l(;:lI'CI' must-,'al lease undcrp;o and successfully c0111plete 
55 
11ll' requil'l'd basic Irdinin!', appropriate> 10 his or her position as sel forth under Ihe STeW "1978, 
8 


'lilel unci,'r tl1<' ILCl COllv,'ntions of which the I'hilippincs is a signatory, as prescribed by tho 
2 
cOlllpl'LClll govcrnllll'lll ':.1gCIH)' n'glliclling I1lClritimc lrclining. 
3 
4 
WI1('I'(' in-s,'rvin' traininl~ and dssessnwnt of competence for the Filipino seafarer is 
'i 
r('<]uir!'d for purposes of c!'I'Uficalion under the ,'1'1 CW1978, the peerson concillctinr, the same 
6 
eitlH'r on ho,ml or dsho/'(' nlust nwet the qualificdlions prescrihed under the aforesaid section of 
7 
tile STeW, 
s 
9 
1\ s""I<11','r sh,dl not be permill"" to work on a ship unless he hds successfully completed 
10 
traininp, lor personal sM"ty on board a ship, with dppropridte certificate thereof 
" 
12 
S)':C. 2.1. 
Tlw Sldll~ shall l~tlSurc that requiremenls on training and upgrading, as 
l~ 
1l1dnc\dkd by tlldnnitlg (lIlL! crt~\ving ag(~ncics (or crnploymcnt, rcenlploynlcnl or promotion 
14 
purposes shall take into dccount the "",farers' right to spend quality time with his family, 
15 
Trainings that df'(' not slweilieally required by the employer in order for the smfarer to be able 
16 
to do their jobs pl'Ol",rly or thilt drC' not rC''luin'd by internalional conventions to he undergone 
17 
by all seafal'l'rs shall not bc' madC' l11and'ltory to aiL The State shall first consult seafarer 
I R 
orgllnizations beron' l11i:lking <:lny 11'c1ininr, mandaJory to all seafarers. 
I C) 
20 
21 
ellA PTER Y 
22 
21 
C;OYI;H,NIVlJ<:NT A(;I;NCmS 
24 
25 
SJ:C 24, /{olt' 0/ C;C)1!e1'llIllellt Agellcies, Tlw following gOV('J'IlI11E'l1t agencies shall 
26 
pt:r(orm lh(: (ollowing to promote: thl' \<\'d(an' i:Hld protC'ct the rights of Filipino seafarers and f 
27 
when('ver prddicd/JI(', all overseas Filipinos: 
2g 
29 
]0 
31 
32 
33 
jlJ 
35 
36 
]7 
38 
39 
40 
41 
42 
43 
44 
45 
46 
47 
48 
4C) 
50 
51 
52 
~3 
54 
5') 
'i(, 
57 
58 
il) 
iJel'llri III ell i of foreigll A//airs, The 1)1'1\, through its home offices or foreign 
posts, shalltak,' priority aclion or mak" reprcsC'ntation with the foreign authority 
cOIH'C'rtwd to protect till' rights of Filipino "',,farers and other overseas filipinos 
'lild ,'xtend il1lnwLiiate 'lssistancc, including the repatriation of dislnessed or 
1ll'll'dguC'red Filipino seafarers and other overseas Filipinos, and to encourage 
otlll'r countries to ratify the rvtLC: 2006 or c'nac! a law th"t will include most, if not 
all, till' jlrovisions of the said convention, The DFA shall consult the appropriate 
authoriti,'s of countries whose ships "mploy Filipino seafarers and/or where 
ports (-11\' 
loci:lll~d wherdn ships that have Fi1ipino seafarers on board are 
docking, with the dinl or providing and improving sea fa rers I 1veJfarc faciljt-jes 
'lild St'rVlces, both in port 'lild on bO'lrd ships, and of organizin!'; international 
sporls competitions for s(-'dfan:rs (md internalional scnTinars on Lhe subject of 
\-\'('If(11'(, of s('(lfarpl's elt sea and in port. 
The DFA, \vith the assistance of 
dppropriale 
illtl'rgov(~rnll1('nlal and other internalional.orr,anjzdtions, shaH. 
('nd{'dV(H, ill l'OopC'I'(llion vvith other countri(~s, to achieve the p;rcatest possibl(-) 
uniformIty of action for the proll1otion of occupational safety and health 
prot,'ctioll dnti prevention of accidents, Furthermore, the LlFA shall make 
r"l""'Sl'ntations III countries employing Filipino s(,afarers or whose ships have 
I'ilipino sc'dfMc'rs on board, with the pnd view of "nsuring that Filipino seafarers 
(ln' p(lid with at least the 1l1initnum wages that are in conformity with 
IIltel'lldtionally-sct or accepted standdl'ds, It shall likewise 'lSsist any Filipino 
s('df<ln'l' who has eHl), ll10ndary l:ldilll or who has been paid at a rate 10wer than 
1I11' minimum Wtlg(\ ,up able to obtain or recover, by an inexpensive and 
(lXfH'ditious judicial or other procedun?, the said clail11 or the alTlount by which 
hl' or Sill> has 11('('n underpaid. Tlw J)I'A shall also providc' I(,gal assistance to 
Filipino sp,lfan't's whprc~v('r (lnci whcn('v(-~r such assistance is needed by them. 
COllllllissioll 01/ Iligher Lill/calioll (CIlLD) shall "nsure the promotion of quality 
dllll ('((i('i('I1(,y in maritinw cciucdtion through advocacy and accountability. 
9 


2 
3 
4 
:; 
() 
7 
X 
<) 
10 
II 
12 
\3 
14 
15 
16 
17 
18 
19 
20 
21 
22 
2J 
24 
25 
2() 
27 
28 
29 
30 
31 
32 
33 
34 
3:; 
36 
37 
38 
39 
40 
41 
42 
43 
114 
4:; 
46 
47 
48 
'1 C) 
50 
51 
52 
53 
54 
55 
5(, 
57 
58 
)') 
c) 
(b.l) 
Commission on Higher Education and the Technical Education and 
Skills ])evelopment Authority. The CliFf) and TESf)A shall ensure that 
tht' clirricula (or tho spafarel's' education and lraining arc in consonance 
wilh Ill(' d('mancis of p,lob,d marilinw induslry as well as with the 
re''lL! ir('Il1C'nts of STCWI97il. 
(b.2) 
COl1l1uission on Higher l~dl1(,i1tion ilnd MariliIne Training Council. The 
ClII-:!), in coordination with MTC, '1I1d ll1C1rilime schools and training 
institlltions, shall hi' responsible for the continuous and comprehensive 
nlsP(Jrch~ l'evi('v,1 and upgrading of the systPI11 of cdllcation, training, 
Cl'rtificdliOIl <lnd l'C'cruiLmonl o( all 111<lritimc schools and institutions, as 
wdl dS 1I1l' ll\i:lnning or ct'C~wing dgellcies dnci regulalory conlmissLons. 
/)l'Jltlrillll'lIi of Labor IIIltI ElIlp/Oljllll'lli. The IJOLl1 shall ensure that lanor and social 
w('IIart' laws in loreign counlries Me fairly and faithfully applied to Filipino 
s('al,m'rs ilnd wlwnev('\" applicabl'" to other OVNscas Filipinos, including the grant of 
I"g,d ilssistilnc<, ilnd the referrillto proper medical centers or hospitals: 
(el) 
MilI"itim(' Tr,.ining Council. Th" 
MTC sh,dl 1)('. responSible for till' 
(onnuldlioll, adoplion and cn(orcen1cnt of regulatory measures for the 
observance of both Ihe aCCI"CCliled Iraining centers and agenCies and the 
lrainc'c's to ensure quality st,mdards and ll1echanisms of training dnd 
conlpl~l('nce of QVCrS('(lS Filipino sc~afarers, adhering to lh(~ standards set 
by Ihe ':iTCWI978, in regul"," consultiltion with lhe organizations of 
i:1('('t'eLiiled 111aritimc'training centers; 
(c.2) 
Maritime Inclustry Authority. The MARINA shall be responSible for the 
fornlU Idlioll, adoption and L'llforccment of regulations p;ovcrning thp 
qllality Slrlllcii:lrcis dnd 
m(~chanisms of training dnd competence of 
d0l11('slic s('clfarC'J's. 
(c.:I) 
Philippine Overseas !!mpIoynwnt Administration. 
In 
pursuit of 
promoling the well-being of the I'ilipino s"afarers, the I)OEA shall: 
(1) 
look into and 
il1lpr~)Ve on the: '<vorking condilions dnd tcrnlS of 
('mployment of the officers dnd crew of vessels of Philippine 
r"l;istry, ane! of such officers and crew members who arc Filipino 
citizens dnd ol11ployced by forceign vessels; 
11) 
develop an effective system of monitoring and gathering welfare 
conce,rns for purposes of dC'lcrl11ininp; fulurG welfare' programs, 
monitoring existing wdfi:lre aclivilies and addressing current 
welfare issues prioritize according to ul'gcncYi 
c) 
()bSCrVl~ (lIld conduct <1 comprehensive dnd updated systcnl of prc-
Plllploynwnt and prc-depc-Hlure orientalion senlinars or briefings to 
sl\lfarcr job dpplicants, departinr; sei;lfarers and other nlariUmc 
workers sclwdulcd for deployment. It shall also undprtake studies 
and distribut(, relcv<1l1t materials for LISCO in pre-employment and 
pn:-dC'parlur(~ oriental-ion semindrs of nlaritime workers and other 
r"laled ilctivilies. All Ihese shall be at no cosl 10 the seafarer job 
applicant, the departing.seafarer dnd other tllaritinlcVvol'kcrs; 
d) 
accredit-, regulate and sup(~rvtsf' prQ-(~nlrloyrnent and pre-departure 
orientation scmin(Hs or briefings of authorized nlannjng or Cl'Qwing 
dppnCI('S; 
(') 
lor III U late and undertake p"op;raills and projects for the effC'ctive and 
efficient utilization of the smfarcrs' welfare fund; 
10 


I 
2 
3 
4 
5 
() 
7 
X 
9 
10 
II 
12 
13 
I ,1 
15 
16 
17 
18 
19 
20 
21 
22 
21 
24 
25 
26 
27 
28 
29 
3D 
31 
32 
31 
34 
15 
3CJ 
37 
38 
39 
40 
!II 
42 
!13 
44 
45 
46 
47 
48 
49 
50 
:;1 
52 
51 
54 
55 
5CJ 
57 
5X 
(' ) 
f) 
1m'!" analyze and publish a record Or stalistics of all occupational 
dcciLi['nts, injlHies and diseases wherein information on the 
1111t11prical dahl, ndtUI'P, caus(~s and cffc)cts of the said accidents, 
injuries r.ltld diseases, whL'Lhcr at sea or in port is included and 
fulluws Ih" 11,0 syslem or model of record in!', such statistics; 
g) 
1IIH.ll~rli:lkc research into the general trends and hazards as revealed 
Ill' statislics )',dthered in order to prav ide a sound basis for l1leaSLIreS 
10 
promole occupational 
sdfely 
and 
heallh 
protection and 
pJ'(~vcnlion of' accidents, injuries and 
dis(~ases which are due to 
pdrt-icllli.lr hazards of t11.cl1'it-ime cmploymcnt; 
h) 
process ,1Ild approve seafarers' eJ1lployment contracts which shall 
slriclly adhere to tiw perlinent proviSions of this act and the MLC 
2006; 
i) 
ensure' Ihat no manning or crewing agency COIllJ1litS informal 
blacklisting; . 
j) 
provide s(~rviccs to assist tni::ll'ilimc workers and their inlnlcdjate 
d['lwn[knts ,lI1d families; and 
k) 
p(~rforl11 such other duties as I11dY be essential in giving assistance to 
scafdt\'I'S cltld their families. 
d) 
TIll' Philippille Coast GilaI'd. pce shall ensure that provisions on 
sl'(lf,:\rl'rs' 
rights, 
working 
i:lnd 
Iivinp, 
conditions, 
dOCU111entary 
r('quircnlenlS, safety, hCdlth ,lI1d sanitary standards and all uther 
provisions of IhlS act ,lnd of the MI.C 2006 are being followed and 
inlplcllll'nlcd loyall ships - including foreign-flag vessels, as part of the 
pori slale controlled inspection that are wilhin or entering Ihe Philippine 
territory, giving special altention 10 ships with at least one Filipino 
seafart'r on bOdl'd. The I'('C; shall have the power to prevent ships that 
art' found 10 be in violalion of any provision of this act or the 
aforelllentioned convention fmm leaving Philippine territory and hold 
lir(' said ships in a I'hilippine port until corrective measures have been 
inlplcnlCntcd 10 the satisfaction of the appmpriatc authority or agency of 
Ihe Ph il i P pi nl' gov"rn men I. Toward these ends, the PCG shall conduct 
inspect-ions of <:lll ships, induding foreign flag vessels, that arc \vithin or 
enlering Ihe Philippine lerritory. The pee; shall take the necessary 
1)1("ISlIl'['S so Ihal duly qualified Icchnieal expe,'!s and specialists may be 
called lIpon, as needed, to assist in the v/ork of inspc'ctors. During 
inspc'ctio!ls, 
th(~ [)CC shall inlel'vi0w as many Filipino seafarers as 
possible, who are nn board the ship being inspected in order to ascertain 
their working conditions and gricvances, if any, obSl~rve dnd detect any 
sub-standard workin!'; condition and violation of the MI.C 2006 and/or 
[Jhilippinl' Icnvs, rules and regulations i:lnd re(er them to the nearest 
dppropridtP governtl1pnt agency concerned. III turn, said govcrnnlent 
agl'ncy sildll itllll1cdiatl'ly irnriPl11cnt the nccc~ssary 111eaSlIrcs to address 
thl' 
Sllh-sti:lIlciard 
working 
condit-ions, 
seafarers' 
grievances, 
and 
violations u( Ihe MLC 21106 and/or Philippine laws, rules and regulations 
befort, I Ill' said sirip icclV"S till' Philipp inc port or lerritory. 'I'he pce shall 
hold ,111 o((iciClI inquiry inlcl i:lny serious marine casualty, leading to injury 
or Inss of lif[" 
Ihal involves ships thai Me within or entering Ihe 
I'hilippilll' 1(,ITitory. The fin,ri reporl of an inquiry shall be made public. 
Tit" iVl/IHINA sh,ril eSlablish an effeclive system for .the inspection and 
cC't'li(ici:ltiotl of" maritime labor conditions, ensuring that the working i:lnd fiving 
11 


2 
1 
4 
condilions for ,,'afarers on ships thdt fly the Philippine flag meet, and continue to 
nll'l't, the standards in MLC 2006, The MARINA shall reguir(~ Llwse ships to have 
(l copy of lhis convenlion available on board. 
S 
SI'(' 2,';, J'ilipillo Sei/(i/n'n' Ue,'Nlrcll IIwl Ue801/J'Ce CeJJ1er, The Clll\D shall coordinate 
() 
with thl' University of tlw I'hilil'pines School of Llbor and Industrial Relations (UP SOLAIR) 
7 
alld tl1(> Natiomil Maritime I'olytechnic for tlw establishment of dn interdisciplinary research 
8 
'lild H'SOllt'Cl' ['('Iltl'r on Filipino sedfarcrs and maritime aff"irs, The cent"r shall primarily 
C) 
conduct studil's ,mel t'C's('arcll(>s which shall enhimce thc well-being and interests of Filipino 
10 
SP(lL:IH'rs (lIld [heir ('otllpf'lilivl'IH'SS ill lhc~ globdl tllarilin1C' market. 
I I 
12 
13 
CIJAI'TER VI 
14 
15 
DOCUMliNTATlON, LTCliNSURI', AND liXAMINATIONS 
16 
17 
SJ!C. 26, j)oCIIJllellilllioll, For purposes of docunwntation, the Filipino seafarers shall be 
18 
catl'l'.orizl'd into dOlllestic and ovcrse,)s s(,llfarers; 
10 
20 
21 
22 
23 
24 
25 
26 
27 
28 
2l) 
]0 
3 I 
12 
31 
34 
35 
36 
37 
3X 
10 
40 
41 
42 
43 
'irl 
/15 
46 
47 
/18 
40 
50 
51 
52 
53 
54 
55 
il) 
IJonl('stic seafat'('rs MC consider(>d doculllcnted whel1 they possess the following 
dol'u tll('il ls: 
I) 
Sl'dL:ll'erS 
Idc~nlificaliotl and Rrcord 
Book (SIRB) and Certificate of 
('Otnl1('t(,l1cy issued by tll(' ivli\R1N/\; 
2) 
Certificate of Completion of Tmining of pr('scribed course's issued by the 
dClTl'dil(~d training centers; and 
:1) 
l,icC'tlslIn' ('cl'tificat(l if the seafarer is i:l I-larbor Pilot or a Major or Minor 
l\ltrOt1. 
OWI'Sl'as s('afar('rs ,11'(' considered docutnented when they possess the followinp; 
dOl'ul1lpnls: 
I) 
2) 
J) 
,t) 
Sl'dCm'rs Idf'ntific,ition dnd Record 1300k (SlRIl) and Certificate of 
CompC'll'ncy issu(>d by the ivJ/\RINA and the Sedfarcr's Registration 
('(,rtificatC' (SI\(') issued by the I'OEA; 
CC'rtificat(' of Completion of Training of prescribed courses issued by the 
dccn'ditC'd lraining ccnLl'J's and the valid CerLificate of Conlpetetlcy issued 
by the' I'I\C for tndl'inc officers and the TESDA for ratings and support level 
new or by thl' assesslllC'nt center duly accredited by the MTe; 
J jcC'tlslIn' C('rlificdle if the s('clfan:r is a marinc officer; 
1':IllI,loYlllent contract that have been processed and approved by the 
1'01':1\; 
;-1) 
SuciI other dOClIf11C'nts as may bc~ rC'qllil'ed. 
SJ!C'. 27, UcellSllre 111111 LXlIlIlilllltioll, The Professional Regulatory Commission (PRC) 
shall he the' ic'dd dp,l'ncy in i:ldminisll'ring licensuro examinations Clnd lhe issuance of sllch 
lin'tlslIrl' (\)rljril'(llc~s lo s('(lfdn'l'S in-lhe officer levet excepl thos'c catego"ized as Harbor Pilots' 
,lIld Major al1(1 ivtinor I'atrons ['or local shipping which duthority shall devolve to the MARINA 
56 
Th(' 'I'J<:SI)/\ shall 11(' the bld agency in adtninistering examinations and the issuance of 
,':,7 
Ill(' nl'l'l'SSill'Y ['('rlifi['alions to s('afat'c'rs in the ratings level. The aforementione'd government 
12 


al',l'llcil's shall forillulatl' dllli 
Ulllkrtakl~ d systenwtic progrdll1 of implementing government 
2 
policil's pertilwnt to 111(' licensing of specIfic call'gol"ies of seafarers. 
1 
4 
TIH~ iSSlldtlC(, or lic('ns()s i:lnd enclol'sc!11C'nt certificates to seafarers shall not require pre-
S 
cOllditiolls (lilwr til,," wh"l im' nXluired under the STCWI978 and other specific laws enacted 
() 
(or the purpose' of n~guli:lling th(' profession. 
7 
8 
SI!C. 211. 
Illtegrated /Jocl/melltatioll SI/stem, The DOLI':, in coordination with 
o 
l',ovc,rnn1('nt dl'pncies con(,I'r1wd, shilil devc'lop an Integrated Dorulllcntation System (IDS) for 
10 
thC' purpos(' of intc'p/<:lling clnd sysl('rnizin~~ t-Iw dOClll11()ntation of education, training licensjng, 
11 
and c('rLificdtiotl CllllOllF, Jiilipino SCi:l(,ners. Si:lid IDS shall contain all re1c~vant inforrnation on the 
12 
sCi:1L:lIrr, including, hut not limited to, 
(~dllCalion, trainine, licensure examinations and 
I] 
certificalions li:lkpll, datd on lhc' SL:llus of sC'afarers; licensod dlld unlicensed'seafdrers and those 
14 
with pending lilhor "nei ildl11inistriltive casc's. The ILlS sh,,11 lw used by til(' seafarer in all his 
15 
lnlllS(lctinns with tile' gov('rntn('nt, nldnning or crewing agencies, and olher perlincnl bodies. 
16 
17 
/\s such, tl1(' governl1lent ilgenCies concerned shilll develop ilnd implement an 
IX 
in/'lrll1dlion Systl'll1 lhilt Shidl conlll'ci their r"specliv" ddtdbilses for the purposes of data 
II) 
stord!,/', shiHln\'" dnd )',1'ner"lion pursuilnt to Section 200/ Repub[ic Act No. S042. 
20 
21 
22 
CIIAPT)'R VII 
21 
24 
HECRUlTM1'NT ANI) PLACEMENT 
2') 
26 
II. Tlte I<<'crt/itlllell/alld I'lllcelltelllllldllstry 
27 
28 
SH:. 29. I'riI!ate Sector Participatioll ill the l<ecruitl11ellt awi ptilcelllelli of Filipillo 
29 
Sl'tI/afl'fs. PurSIli:ltll to ni:llional devdopment objectives dnd in order lo harness and 1l1dXilnizc 
:10 
thl' llSP of privi:lll' s('cior n~SOUI'CQS and initiative' in (he dcvclopll1ent and' irnpll~1l1E:l!1tdtion 'of a 
31 
coll1prc'lwnsiv(' 1'll1ploYIll('nl progrill1l, the priville sector shilll participate in the recruitment and 
32 
pJi:lCl'nlPnl of J"ilipino sC'dfi:ll"l~rs, locally and overseas; fJrcruided, '['hal such rc~cruitn1ent and 
33 
pldC'l'nll'nt prOlnlures <11'1' consistent with Ilw provisions slipulat"d ccnder this /\ct and such 
34 
oll1C'r 1',lIitlc'lines, rlill's dnci rl'l',uliltions ilS mill' be proilluigated by Ihe DOLE; I'rovided further, 
3) 
Ihdt nothinl', in Ihis s('clion shidl [1(' dl'clllPd to prevent the Statc, (rom maintainin!', a free public 
3() 
rC'crullllll'lll i:ltld p!(ln~ml'llt s(~rvicc for sl'afarers wit-hin the (n-Hllework o( mectinf,- t-he needs of 
'J7 
s(~i:lfi:ln\rs i:lnd shipoWIll'l"S, whplhor the service forms penl of or is coordinated with a public 
3X 
employnwilt sl~rvil'e for cdl workers and empl()y(~rs. 
]() 
40 
SliC. ]0. CIII,i/lllizlllillll ill tfte t<<'crlli/IIlL'lli IIl11t I'illcelllwt llldlistry. Individuals or 
III 
corpordlions, I'drlnl'l·ships or ('nlilies applying (01" license or aUlhority or renewal thereof shall 
42 
he' l"l'L]uirud i:l minil1luJ1ll'ClpildlizClt-ion, dnd such other requircments as 111ay be prescribed by the 
In 
I lOl.l':. 
44 
45 
'1'11<' SdllH' shdll bt' ohliged to pay such C'S'cro~v deposits and surety bonds, in an a1110l1nt 
46 
and ('ond it-ions (lS melY be) 11I"Pscribf'd by t-he J )01 ,g to guaranto(~ compliclncc with all terms and 
[~7 
conditiolls of Ih(' conlJ'(Jcl of l'mplnymcnt and Clpplicdblp I ,l\V s. 
48 
4') 
Illdivilillilis or corporiltions, partnerships or entities applying for license or authority or 
)0 
r01l1"val tlH'r('of sh,dl hI' l"l'quirec! to pay the (i1illg alld registration (ees, as l11ay be prescribed by 
51 
tlll'llO!.I':. 
52 
53 
SI!C. ,1"1. N()Il-Trl/ll.~(l'mllilily of LiCl'IlS", No license or dUlhority shall be used directly or 
)4 
inc! irl'l'lly by any I','rsoll "titl'\" thi1l1 the Olle in whose favor it Was issued or ilt any place other 
55 
thi:lI1 thi:ll Sldtpd in llip iicPllse, nor may such license or duthority be transferred, conveyed or 
56 
i:lssignl'd to <:lily IH'rson or enlity excc~pt und(~t' such guidelines as may be prescrib(~d by the 
57 
DOLI':. 
13 


I 
/\ny tl'dllSfcl' of business dddrcss, ilppointmCl1l or designation of any agent or 
2 
repr('S<'ntdtive, including the estdblishnlent of dddilional offices anywhere shall require prior 
j 
dpprovdl from th,' I lUI ,I': 'i,'cr<'lary. 
4 
'i 
SI!c. :12. SII'J"'II,ioll ({1If1/or C({lIcdllltiOIl of Ucellse or Allihority. The DOI,f( Secretary 
() 
shull hi:lv(' lhe power lo slIspend or c(-ltlcei clnd in bolh insl,1llCCS impoS0 finc any license or 
7 
ilutilurity to IHTUit i'ilil'illo sedfarers for overse'"s employment for "ny violation of this Act or of 
8 
olher dpplicdhl(' provisions of IdlYs, rul,'s dnd regulations. In ol'der to effpctively exercise this 
9 
pow('r, []l(' /)OLl':, Ihrough Ihe I'DIU\, shall establish an effective inspection and monitof'ing 
10 
syst<'1ll for ('nforcing this Act i:lnd dll laws, issuances and Rulos and Regulations concorning 
11 
s(,dfdrcrs or appiil'llllls. 
12 
13 
SJ'(:. :1:1. Persolls III1tI Llllitie" I'roltibitetl frolJ/ f;lIgllgillg ill Recruitmellt ami I'lacefllmi 
It) 
11It11lMrlj. Th" following ,,1'(' prohibited from engaging, directly or indirectly, in recruitment ancl 
15 
plCl{,(lll1('t1l industry: 
16 
17 
18 
10 
20 
21 
22 
21 
24 
<I) 
b) 
/\l1y offici,li or C'mployee of 111,' LlOI ,I':, DFA and Iheir allachcd agencies or other 
I',overllm('nl dl',encies involvc,d in tlw implementation of this Act, or their 
r('laL-ivt's wit-hin thp fOLirth civil drp;n'p of consanguinity or affinity; 
[\lrsons (lllel ('nlities engaged in the business of travel agency or engaged in 
businl'ss i.lS SelIC's agl'nl or airline' (l11d/or shipping companies, or their offices, 
d ir{'ctors or pclrtll(:rs. 
25 
SLC'. :14. SII/'Cfvisioll tlllJl COlllrol byllie DOLE. The DOLE, tl1roup;h [JOEA, shall closely 
2() 
sLlpt'rvist' i.lnd control all sC'dfdl'l'l' recruitment and pidCQm0nt servic(~s. Any ljcense or certificate 
27 
or similar (luthorizdliolls for lhp operCllion of private services Sh(l11 be granted or rcnewed only 
28 
after verific<.llioll [Iwl 
th(~ sPi:lfarcr r('cruilt11(~nt and pld('(~ment service conccrned nwets the 
2') 
re'1uir"I1l('nls of ndlion,,1 Idws and regulations. The POI,;A shall likewise clearly publish costs, if 
:-;0 
<:lll)', vvhich [IH~ s('<:lfal'('r will be' ('xpC'ct(xi to beell' in th0 recruitment process. 
t 
.11 
.12 
SI':C. :15. IIlllldlillg of Im!J'stigaliolls IllIII COlllplaillts. The POEA shdll ensure that 
:-;3 
adeqllate' l1li:lchilH'ry dnd proc('du]'es exisl-s for th(~ inv(,stigation, if necessary, of conlplaints 
34 
concC'rning the' 
(lclivilk~s o( s(,c.lfaror 
n'cruilmc~nt emel 
placement services, involving, as 
]) 
appropriate', ]'('pn'St'nlCltives of shipown(~rs ellld seafarors. 
36 
:17 
SliC. :16. Co/lectioll IIlId Allalysis of all 1~e/evIIIII i1lfOfllliltioll 011 the Mafitil1le La/Jollr 
38 
!Harkel.Th(' [JOEA shilll mi:linh:lin all (uTangt'menl (or t-h(l collection and analysis of all relevant 
3') 
lIlf'JI'nlation on tiJ(> ll1d1'ltinH' labor l1larkpt including the CUIT('nt and prospective supply of 
40 
sC'afart']'s that- work ,1S CI"('\V, classified according to t-heir age, gender, rank and qualifications, 
41 
and tl", industry's r(''1uil'l'll1('nts. 'I ho colloclion of dala based 011 age or p,end('r shall be 
42 
adl1lissiblr' for statistical purposl's or if us('d in the frall1ework of a programme to prev('nt 
43 
discrimilllltioll hdSe'd on dPP or p,0ndl'r. 
44 
4'i 
SH' .. 17. 
('0 JJJl'el I'll C<' of 1<l'Cl'llilllll'II1 alld 1'/r"'elll<'111 Sem;ces' SlIl'el'visory Staff The 
4(, 
PO/,;/\ shedl ('nsure Ihdt till' staff j'(>.'.;ponsil})e for UlC' supervision of public dnd private seafarer 
47 
f('(TLJ it 11"1('11 1 dlld ptd('('mt'lll st't'vicC's for ship's (TPW t'esponsibility for the ship's safe navigation 
4X 
dnd pollution IJI'('vl'nlion "I'erdlions have hdd mil'l[llale training, including approvec!sea-. 
49 
s('rvin~ ('xp('ri('nn~, and have' rel('v(ltlt knowledge of the l1ldritime industry, inc1uding the 
50 
rC'[('Vdllt l1li:lrltinH' inll'rndtiollal inslrulllC~llls on tl'i:lining, certification dnd labor standi:uds. 
'il 
'i 2 
S I ':c. ,18. I'I'<'S l'l'i/Jillg of S I tl//Jllll'ds fo I' S ellfarer J{ecm; tlJlelll Illld Place lIlellt Services. The 
'i.1 
1'(lI';A sh<lll prescribe ol','rdliondl sla11(1<1I'(Is <lnd adopt codes of conduct and ethical practices 
54 
for s{,(lfarel' t"('crllill1ll'nt alld pldc(,ll1cnl services and exercise supervision of the licensing or 
'is 
n'rlifie,lIion sysle111 011 till' basis ofa systel1l of quality standards. 
'i(' 
57 
SI':C. :J'J. Adol'tioll of Procedll)'es l!y POD\ 10 EIlSII)'e Ihllt Seafarers a)'e Not Vulnerable 
58 
10 l;xJ,loilalioll, 'Ill,' I'OI,;i\ shdll prescribe procedlll'C's to be strictly followed by manning or 
'i0 
crewing ag('l1cies that will ,'nSllre thdl seafMers are not subject to exploitation by the seafarer 
14 


I 
recl'L1itnwnl and pl(l('('tllt'nt sPl'vices or lht'ir personnel with rc~gi:1rd to the offer of engagenlcnt 
2 
Oil particular ships or by pmliculdr companies and to prevent the opportunities for exploitation 
j 
of Se(1fdr(l),s i:Hising from [he issue of joining aLivclllccS or any olhpf financial transactions 
t! 
hC'tw('c'n til(' .,hipownC'r and tiw smrart'r which are handled by the seararcr recruitment and 
S 
pl,l('('nH'lll- s('l'vi('('s. 
6 
7 
B. Hecrllilll(cllllllld Placemellt Policies 
X 
9 
SH', 40. 1«'cI'II;ll1ll'IIII1//(1 I'IIICI'lIIellll'oircies, Manning or crewing agencies cngap;ed in 
JO 
prival(' ]'('cruill11('nl i:llld plaCC'nlClnt s('rvic('s shall: 
II 
12 
J:l 
It! 
15 
I () 
17 
18 
I () 
20 
21 
22 
n 
24 
25 
26 
27 
28 
2') 
30 
31 
32 
33 
34 
35 
36 
37 
38 
]C) 
40 
41 
42 
43 
11 
45 
16 
47 
48 
4') 
50 
51 
52 
5:1 
)'1 
il) 
b) 
c) 
d) 
e) 
f) 
p) 
" 
11) 
i) 
j) 
('Ilsurt' thell no (('('S or other charges for S('afdJ'{;)r recruitment or placpnlcnt 01' for 
providing employment to sedfarcl's arc born(' directly or in(ljn~cfly, in whole or 
in part, by til(' s('ararc'r, other than tl1(> cost or obtaining a national statutory 
tlll'dicdi n'rlific~i:1h', lh(~ national s(l(l(arer's book and a passport or other similar 
I'l'rson,d travel docunlC'nts. I-Towev"r, the cost or obtaining a ViSd shall be borne 
by thl' 'hipownel'. 
Ci:lLL'-j(' lht' l'l'imbul'sC'lllenL of any pxpe.nses incurred by the spafarer in connection 
with his or Iwr dOCLlll1C'ntation dnd processing for purposes of d('ployment,in till> 
['v('nt wlwn' non-d"ploynlPnt is not the seafarer's fault, or in the event of 
d(lploYl11enl or non-deployment in cases where the manning or crewing agency, 
in violation of itl'm (a) ahov", collc'c[cd any ree or chargc' from the seafarer, which 
is nol dllc)\vl1d lllldpr lhis Act; 
('nsure thill the Filipino seafarl'rs' well-being and rights shall be the primary 
cOllsidprdlioll in lhl' l\-)cruilnll'nt dnd pldcemcnt of seclfarers; 
1',Udl'dntl'e thilt recruitment, placement ,md deployment of rilipino seafarers shall 
not be l1l<lt!e ill jobs that arc deemed inimical to their interests and to the 
t'('public of the t'hilippines: 
Sll("'iry, with due r"l',dI'd to the right to privacy and the need to protect 
conficil'ntiality, th" conciitions under which the personal data of Filipino 
Sl'dL:lt'l'l'S ,11'(\ processed by manning or cre\'vin~~ agencies including the collection, 
stordgp, combilldtioll i:lnd cot11municdtioll of such ddtd to third parties; 
l'l'{lse from furnishing or publishing <:lny false noUce or information or dOCUt11enL 
ill reli:llion lo recruitment and cnlploymcllL, 
('()(lSl~ from influencing or i:llt0mpting lo inHuoncc, \vhether deliberately or 
llnint('ntiolldlly, dny person or entity not to employ any seafarer who has not 
dppli('d lhru the sdid manning or crowing agency; 
l'l'fnlin {1'0111 requiring thc submission of a waiver or quitclaims to any seafarer 
h(\fclJ'c\ during dnd aft-l'r pnlploymcnt a condition (or reCI'Uitnlent-; 
('l)(}se from substilut-ing 01' altering to the pn_:.judice of the seafareI' the 
cllll,loynlcnt ('on tract approved and processed by the DOLE, and withholding or 
denying lravP! or employment docunletlts from applicant seafarer; and 
I'l'fri.lin (rom using m('ans or 111cchdnist11s intended to prevcnt or deter seafarers 
frolll gi:lininpJ PlllploympnL 
55 
SH:, 41. /)1I1i"8 of tv/1I111ril/g (/Iltl Crl'wil/g I1gel/cies. 11 shall be incumbent upon manning 
56 
cllld crpwinpJ dppncips lo l'nSllre lhdt: 
57 
58 
59 
a) 
J\ny S("lr<1I'''1' recruited or placed hy them is qualified and is in possession of the 
d onl t11Ptlls 11 ('('('S S,l 1')-' (or the job concF~rncd; 
15 


2 
3 
<1 
5 
G 
7 
g 
<J 
10 
I I 
12 
1] 
14 
15 
16 
17 
18 
I') 
20 
21 
22 
23 
24 
25 
26 
27 
28 
29 
10 
11 
12 
J] 
:14 
35 
36 
37 
18 
39 
40 
41 
42 
43 
44 
45 
/16 
,\7 
48 
49 
50 
51 
52 
):1 
54 
5'1 
'iG 
'17 
58 
'1 C) 
b) 
c) 
d) 
f) 
g) 
h) 
i) 
j) 
k) 
I) 
m) 
,[,Il(~ cOlltract of (,l1lploYlll(mt Clnd ,nUdes o( (lgr('('Ill(~tlt arc in ~lccol'dance vvith 
'I'll<' MI'c' 2006 dnd applicable laws and regulations and any collective bargaining 
agrc'c'mC'nlthal forms part of the employment agreement; 
Th,' I!i\ipino s(,afarer IS informed of his or Iwr rights and dUtil'S under his or hl~r 
('ontr(\('{ o{ the' (~lllployf1lc:r)t and the articles of dgreCtllcnt prior 1-0 and in the 
prol'l'ss of pngclpplllC'l1t; 
I'ropl'r alT<ln!',pnwnts and opportunities are givc~n for the hlipino seafarer to 
('xamino his or Iwr contract of cmployment and the articles of agreement before 
'lllel afl,'r Il<' or sl", signs such pC'rtinonl.docunwnts and for him or hor to receivo 
d copy of thl' duly-sigtll~d COnll'!:lct of l'l11plo)'lllcnLi 
Adl'q[ldll~ information dbouL the conditions attending to the situations on-board 
IIw vl'ssel and overSl'as, as well as local and international laws and regulations 
which apply to the I!ilipillo soafarl'r in the courso of his or her employment or 
sojourn Shi:lll be provided to the"SQd(arcf, (my of his or her relatives or to any 
indiviciu,lI, l1oll-govprnmenl organizalion or government C1!jcncy thal TIlay 
['equ('st (Of' such in(ornlilUon; 
A 1'('I',istry of ,ill Sl'afarors ('['cruitod or plaCl'd through them shall be put in placl' 
and sl1<111 he available lor inspection by the comp"t"nt authority; 
;\s (ar as pradicabl", til(' shipowner has the means to protect seafarers from heing 
slrdnc.iC'd in a (orl'ign port; 
The)' shall CXdlllinc (ltlet respond to any conlplaint concerning their activities and 
advise' lh(' cot1lp('l(~tll duthority of any unresolved complaint; 
'I he'ir ol1L'rations shall conform with the standardized systenl of licensing, 
certifll'<ltion or any oti,,'r form of rogulation pn'scribeci by the implementing 
r\ll"s 'lild l'C'gulalions of this /Id. This system shal] be cstablisllPd, modified or 
ch'lIll',eci only aflor consultation with the shipowner and seafarer organizations 
colln'rIll'd. In the' evellt of doubt as 10 whether the consolidated MI.C applies to a 
private' recruitllwnl and placement service, the qUl'stion shall be determined by 
till' DOL\>: C;l'Cl'ctary afler consultation with the shipowner and sC'afarer 
orgi:lIl izat ions cOllcl~rtlPd; 
l'ilq)ino Sl'a(Mers or appliGll1ts are advised on the possiblC' problems of signing 
on a ship Illdt flie's Ihe flag 01 a slale which has not ratified the MLC 2006, until 
lile Manning and Crewlllg Agency is satisfied that standards equivalent to those 
fixl'cl by th,' said convention arc bcinr; applic'd. MCdsures laken La this effect shall 
nol coiliraclictlhe principle 01 free movemenl of workers stipulated by treaties to 
which till' Iwo (2) stdles concerned n1dY be parties; 
'I'll(' list of ships, which seafarer recruitment and placon1cnt services provide to 
S(~i:lri:1I'l'rSI is maintained an.d pcriociicClJiy updated, dnd that there are readily 
(lvdildblt' llH~dns by which Lho manning dnd crewing agencies can be contacted in 
dll l'tll(~rF/,ncy at elll hours; 
[-}ron,durcs 
tln~ in pldce to ensure that information or advice requested by 
C:lmilil's of SC\:l(arC'rs whilc) [hl' sCc-lfal'cl's arc at sea, are dC'alt with promptly, 
s),l11pdlhdica!ly (md ell no cost; 
TIll' IHTuitl'd or placc'd Filipino s('afarers serve only on ships with the requirl'd 
docllnH'nts and a sulfici"nl nUll1bor 01 seafarers on board to ensure that the said 
ships ,He OPC'L:ltcd safely and m(lnnc~d by a crew that is adequate, in size and 
q [!(J I i (icat ions; 
16 


I 
2 
3 
4 
5 
() 
7 
8 
C) 
10 
II 
12 
U 
14 
15 
16 
17 
18 
n) 
0) 
1') 
Inforl1lal blacklisting is not cOl1lmiUcd; 
Prol'l'dul'l'S ,He adopted to verify that ventilation, hcaUng, slccpinp" food and 
catering, /,(l('/'c<ltion, medical can:, laundry, sanit-ary facilities ilnd Oth01' conditions 
abodrd ships wiwJ'c Filipino seafarers are pli:lced, confornl v\lith the ivTT,C 2006 or 
dPl'licabl(' collective barp;aining agrcPlllcl1ts (CIlA) concluded between a 
ship0\,vtl('1' iltlLi a l'epn'Sl'tltdlivp sC(lfarcr organizdtion (ltlci, as a 111dtter of policy, 
supplying seafarers only to shipowners that offer employment terms and 
conditions which comply with ilpplicablo laws, regulations, collective agreements 
or IIw M LC 2(](]6; and 
[->;'ryl1l(~nls due to seafarers arc l1la(h~ ,It no greater than monthly intervals and in 
accoreldnce with ilny applicable collective aGreement and that seilfarers shilll be 
giV(ltl (l monthly account of tlH~ pi::lyl1lC'IHS due and amounls pakt including 
Wilg<'S, ,Hid itionill payments ilnd the rate of exchilnge used where pilyment has 
heell l1li:lci(l in ,1 currency OJ' at a rate different from the one agreed to. 
I l) 
SH'.42. Vio/llliOJl of 111111 of I//C I'rovisiom of Sl'cliolls.40 IIJld 4'1. An administrative 
20 
finding by the I'ClI':;\ of any violation of any of th" provisions of S~ctions 40 and 41 shall cause 
21 
llle I1ldnning or cl'P\ving agl)l1cy concernc1d to suffer the penally of sLlspension or cancellation of 
22 
its license' to oIH'rall'. 
23 
2/) 
C. "irillg, l)ep/oylJll'lll Ilwl EmploYlllellt 
25 
2(, 
SI!c. 4:1. "iring (JlI Cerillill Llllpiol/ets. Memb~rs of the diplomatic corps, foreign 
27 
goV('mnH'nts dnd int('mationdl organizations may hire Filipino seafarers; J)rovided, That the 
28 
provisions of this Ad i.lnd ot-her i:lpplici.lble r,uiddincs, ru los and regulations arc followed. 
29 
JO 
S]:,c, 44. Sdeclive lJep/ol/lJlelli of Overseas filipillo Seafarers. Deployment of overseas 
J I 
Filipino se"f",'('rs shall be ,dlowccl only in countries where the rights of overseas Filipino 
J2 
seaf"r""s dn' ohsl'rvcd and protected. 
13 
34 
/\ny of tite following legal instruments shall be recognizecl as guarantee, on the part of 
35 
till' receiving country, on the protection of till' rights(J[ oversedS Fililoino seafarers: 
3() 
37 
38 
30 
40 
~t 
42 
43 
')4 
45 
46 
47 
48 
49 
50 
a) 
h) 
c) 
e1) 
'I'll(' 1\~('(~iving country has (lxist-ing labor and socii:ll lavvs protecting the rights of 
(lVel'se'd' s"afill'('I" as certified by II", Sl'cl'daries 01 the DFA and DOL.E with the 
sdid nUl11lwl's, titles and bl'il'f d('scription of laws stated in the said certification; 
Th£' ]"('('('iving ('ollntry is ,a signatory to nlulti1ateral conventions, declarations or 
resolutions rC'li:lt-ing to the protcction of ovc~rseas sea,fan:rs; 
The In'eiving country h'1s a 
bilat~ral agreement or arrangement with the 
I)hilippin(~ gnvpt'nnwnl protecting the rights of overseas seafarers; or 
TI1l' rpcpiving country is L:lking positive concrete measures to proLect the rights of 
(lV('I'",a, sedhlrers, dS Ct'l'tifiod by the Secrelaries of the DFA dnd DOLE with sllch 
lllt'dsur('s l~nlln1('l'atC'd in detail in the said certification, 
51 
Sl':C. 4S. Hall 011 Ul!s/rictiolls 011 Deploymellt. NOhvithstandine the rrovisions of Section 
.')2 
!J1, the ])()],I':, in pursuit of natiollal interest or when public we1farl~ so requires, n1ay at any 
5] 
tilll(', Ic'rmillate or impost: stich j"('slricliolls or bail on the deployn1ent of overscas Pilipino 
54 
Sl'i.lfa rl'rs, ('sp<'cii:llly whcll th(~ ship wiLh aile or sevel'al Filipino seafarers on board will sail on or 
55 
Ill'ar till' w{-\il'l'S of, or dock on ports in, countrics where there is war, civil war, insurgency, 
56 
pirdcy, rdl11pant kidnapping, s('izing by lorce of ships and/ or ongoing lawlessness as reported 
57 
by I'plidhte int('rndliolli:11 news agencies or television Il(ltworks. 
58 
17 


I 
SI!L 46. /'l'Ohi/,ilioll Agaillst /lldiscrilJlil1tlte Veplo1fmellt of Filipillo Seafarers. The 
2 
inLiisnilllin,Jl(, Li,'plo)'lrwnt 01' I'ollowing Jiiiipino seafarers shall be d''''ll1ed prohibited: 
j 
fj 
'i 
6 
7 
8 
9 
10 
II 
12 
13 
I 'j 
15 
16 
17 
b) 
c) 
eI) 
e) 
Those Ill'low ['il',hteen (It]) yeMs old or such minimum age reqLlirement as may 
he ci,'terilliner! 
hy 
the [lOU,: ronsistent with internationally-recognized 
('on V('11 Lin 11 s; 
Those medically diagnosed to be unfit 10 work for the job being applied; 
Those techni"ally non-qualified for overseas [,l11ploynwnt; 
Thosc' vvhose' (lt1lploynlC'nt contract- was nol processed and approved by the 
t'lll':A; 
Any other factor which thl' D()U': may dC'cm prohibited consistent with 
intcrndLiot1ally t'C'cognized conventions. 
18 
SH'.47. Visitoritlll'owers 0/ the.VO!'/;. 'j'o c1ctc1'Inine compliance with safNy standards 
IC) 
and living conditions of s(lafal'prs, lh(1 DOLl': S(lCn~tClry or d duly dc)signated representabve nlay, 
20 
"I any lillll', inspect vessels and ships of tlw accredited principal or shipowner within Philippine 
21 
jurisdiction lor compliance with ,arC'ly standards anc1living conditions of seafarers. 
22 
21 
2t) 
25 
cn AI'TFR VllI 
2(, 
I1.J.liCAL RFCRUITMLNT 
27 
28 
SIiC, 48. tlleSIII t~l'c/'Ilillllellt. I'or purposes of this Act, illq,al recruitment shall j'efer to 
29 
any (lct of l'i:lllVdSsing, 
('nlislin~> contracting, transporting, utilizing, hiring, or procuring 
30 
s(\:lfdn'rs and includ('s t'l1(0ITing, contract s(lJ'vicing, promising, or i:ldvertising of etnployment 
3 I 
lor dlll'odLi, wlwtlwl' for profit or not, wl1('n undL'i·taken by a non-Iicensef' or non-holder 01 
32 
duthority cClIltc'IllI,ldt[ld under /\rticle '13 (f) of [)I'esidential Decree No 422, as amccndccl, 
jj 
otlwl'wisc' known dS till' I.abor Code of the Philippines: Provided, Th<1l any such non-licensee or 
34 
Iloll-holdl')' \-vho, in i:llly lllClnner, offers 01' promises for a fee cmployrnenl abroad to hvo or n10re 
35 
pel'sons shdll be' d,,,'nll'd "nl',dPpd in illegdl recruitment. 
36 
37 
11I(~gdl recruitment when cOlllmitted by a syndicdlc 01' in a large scale shall be considered 
38 
dll o(fl'ns(~ involving l'conomic sabolilg(~. 
:19 
40 
11I'·p.al ('['cruitn",nt is deemed committed b), a syndicate> if carried OLct by a group of three 
41 
(3) or 1ll01\~ PC'[,SOIlS conspiring or con{cdc:raLing with one another. It is deemed cornmiLt-ed in 
42 
1M!,," 5('"1,, if cOllll1litt"d against three (3) or more lX'rsons lJ1c1ividual1y or as a gl'Oup. Illegal 
43 
1"l'CrLlilnll'lll is also dC'('l1l('d COlllmitted in a large sccllc: jf the financial or Inatel'ial consideration 
44 
involved aillolints to nml'[' tlli1n one hundred thousand pesos (P[OO,ODO.OO), regardless of the 
45 
nUlllhpl' of persons involved. 
46 
47 
The pcrsons crill1inally liable for the ahove offenses are tl1(' principals, accomplice and 
4X 
acC('ss(1I'i0s. In cast' of juridical persons, the officers hClv1ng control, manar;enwnt or direction of 
4C) 
tllf'ir busin(·ss shdll he hC'ld liable. 
50 
5 I 
sire. 49. Pellallies. 
52 
53 
Sfl 
55 
56 
57 
'iR 
59 
il) 
/\ny pC'l'son (ound guilty of illegal recruitment shall suffer the penalty of 
in1111'isonn1l'nt of not less than six (6) years and one (t) day but not more than 
twelw' (12) YC<ll'S, with a rille' not less lhan two hundred thousand pesos 
(1'2()O,()OO.OO) but not more than five hundred thousand pesos (1'500,000.00). 
Th(' pC'nalt)' of life imprisonment and a fjne of not If'ss, than five hundred 
thOllS<lllCi pesos (1'500,000.00) but not more than one million pesos (P·I,OOO,OOO.OO) 
18 


shall be impoS(xi if illegal rccruitnwnt constitutes ('conomic sabotage as defined 
2 
in Spl'liotl IJ.c): f-lnroirlcri, //oWI'OCf, That the IlldxinlUnl rcnalty shall be inlposed if 
1 
Ih" I,,'rson ill,,!,ally rr'cruitc,d is less than eighken (IS) years of age or that the act 
4 
of il'e!',,,' rr'('I'uitn1l'nt is commilted by" non-licensee or non-holder of authority, 
5 
(, 
S(''' SO, Pmilil,itioll Oil Officials Illlil L11Ip/oyees, Ii shall be unlawrul for any orficial or 
7 
l~1l1p!Oy{'l' or th" j)()],E or other govcrnnlC'l1l agencies involved in the inlplcnlcnt-ation of this 
8 
Ad, or their t'l'Ii:lLivl's within the fourth civil degree of consanguinity or affinity, to engage, 
9 
directly or indirectly, in the business of recruiting Filipino seafarors, as defincd under this Act, 
10 
11 
SFC'. S·l. Vellll,', J\ nil11in,,1 'lction arising rrom illegal recruilment as herein defined shall 
12 
l1<' fiIPd with till' I"'gion," Tri,,' Cour! of the province' or city where the off,'nsc was committed 
13 
or wilere lht' ()ffl~ndL'd PC.lrly actu<llly l'l:sidps at the lit1l(' of cOI!lnli~sion of tbe offens0. 
14 
15 
SH'. 52, Ml/lIIllllory Period for l'ilillS of Illegal /{ecruillllellt Cases. The preliminary 
16 
investigation 01 cas"s uncler Ihis Act sh,lil br Ipl'l11inat(xl within a period of thirty (30) calendar 
17 
days frollt th" elate of th"ir liling, Wh('re tho preliminary invcsJil',ation is cOllducted by a 
18 
prosecution offi,'pr and a r"'ill1ll.{tlcic Case is ('stablislwcl, the corrpsponding information shall be 
I') 
filrcl in comt within tw,'nty-follr (2,,) hours frOI11 the terlllinaJion of the investigation, 
20 
21 
II till' prelill1indl'Y invcstigation is conducted by a judge and a primafacic case is found to 
22 
('xisl, lill' corresponding in(ol'lnalion shall be Iiled by the prOIJ('r prosecution officer within 
23 
forly-eight (tfH) hours lrolll thp dalc of receil)t of the rccol'd of tli(' casc, 
24 
25 
SH', 5:1, Prescriplive Periot/s. Illegal recruitment cases under this Aci shall prescribe in 
26 
tell (10) Y"MS aft,'r till' ('olllll1issioll of tIl(' prohibited act: Prouidcti, however, That illegal 
27 
relTUitnll'nt caSt'S involving ('collomic sabotage as d(,rined hen'in shall prescribe in twenty (20) 
28 
)'l'i:HS. 
29 
:10 
S)!C. 54. I'n'(' /.esal Assislallce; I'rejel'euUal Glltit/emellt LImier the Wihw,'s Pmleetiol1 
J 1 
Progralll. ;\ Illcchi:lIlisll1 [or fn:e legdl dssisldllC0 for victirns of jIJegflJ recruitment shall be J11adc 
32 
"vailabl" by Ih(' perlilwnt agenCies of lIw government. Such mechanism shall include 
33 
coordindtion dnd coopordtion 'lmong the 1)01.1':, DOl, the 111[', and other non-government 
14 
organi/dlions and voiLlnl£'er groups. 
l5 
36 
Notwithstdneling till' provisions of I\A 69RI to till' contrary, any person who is a victim 
17 
or illcp;ill recruitmeni-, or who is vvilling to be a \vitnC'ss on bohalf of the government shall be 
38 
entilleci to the WitllC'SS I'rotc'clion I'rogram provided tlll'reundpr, 
39 
40 
tf I 
CTIAI'T)!)t IX 
42 
43 
CONDITIONS OF EMI'J.OYMliNT 
44 
4'1 
SH'. SS, i:lIlf'l0!l1ll1'1l1 Agl·eellll'llt. The employer shall provide for a written agreement in 
46 
I':nglish, which shdlllw drawn up with the sc"rdl'erconcerning ship work, The agreement shall 
47 
contdin tilt' follovving: 
48 
49 
50 
51 
52 
53 
54 
55 
5(, 
57 
58 
59 
b) 
c) 
e1) 
Tit" S('dfMC,r's full nal1W, ddtp of birlh, dgC and birthpldce; 
The ship()wner's 1l(l!l1(~ (mel addn~ss; 
Thl' pIcH'(\ where and dale \I\lhol1 lhe seafarer's employment agreement is entered 
into; 
Till' wagp dgrced upon, including overtime pay, their method of conlplltalion 
i:mel 11li:lllnc'r of payment. Tn no case shall Lhe partips agree to wages lower than 
{hl' basil' Illinitlllllll vvage prescribed by appropriate govcrnnlent agencies, in 
confol'lltily with inlcl'Ilalionally-accepted standards, at the lime of engagement; 
19 


I 
2 
3 
4 
5 
() 
7 
R 
'l 
10 
II 
12 
13 
III 
15 
16 
17 
18 
I C) 
20 
21 
22 
21 
24 
25 
26 
17 
2X 
2') 
3D 
11 
]2 
33 
34 
:15 
]() 
37 
38 
39 
40 
41 
42 
4:1 
44 
45 
46 
47 
48 
4C) 
50 
51 
52 
')3 
54 
55 
56 
57 
58 
,)'l 
e) 
f) 
g) 
h) 
i) 
J) 
k) 
I) 
Ill) 
n) 
0) 
1') 
The' ,11110unt of pdici dnnu,ll l('dve or, where' applicable, the formula used for 
ci:l1culaling it; 
Thl' terminatioll of l-he i:lgrC'c~111C'nl and the conditions thpn~of, including: (i) if th(~ 
rlgn'('1ll{1nl has h(~(;n t1li:ldo for i:lll i.ndpfLnile period, the: conditions entitlinp; either 
}Ji:HLy to lcrmilli:ll(~ il; (IS wedl as thc: required notice period, vvhich shall not be less 
for Illl' shipowner thdn for the sedfdrer; Oi) if the agreement has been made [or a 
d"finile' I",riml, Ih" ddle fixed [or its expiry; and (iii) if Ihe agreement has been 
ITli.llle for ,1 VOYi:lp/', the Port- of ]}pstini:1UOn and the time ·which has to expire after 
arrival befol\' the sl"dal'er should be discharged; 
TIll' l1('dllh, Sd[oty dnd scicidl security protection benefits to be' provided to the 
5('af,II'e'r by the shipowner including a provision that ensures that m(,dsures, in 
d['('ord,lnl'l' wilh Ihe IVlLC 2006, arc in place on the ship to provide seafarers with 
d righl 10 Il1dlL'rial assisl,lIl("L' and supporl from tl1(' shipowner with l'ospect to the 
findncidl cons('quonccs o[ sici<nc'ss, injllry or death occurrine while they arp 
serving under 
Cl 
suaf(lrc~rs' 
('mploym(~nt agreemenl or arising (1'001 their 
('ll1ploynll'nl uncit'r such agrc'L'll1cnt which shall not affect any olher legal 
rL'nH~dil'S lhal d sca((ltT'1' I11d)' seck; 
The s('Man,r's ontillc'll1cnt to rcp<llrialion anci a provision that shdll prohibit 
shipowtlPI'S from requiring that seafarers 111ake elil advance payment towards the 
cost of n:pdlriatioll ell the beginning of their employment, and also from 
n:l'ovl:ring the cost of rcpdlrialion (rOt11 the sCclfarcrs' wages or other 
('nlillC'lnellls ex('c~pt vvhcrc the seafarer has been found, in accordance with 
lla/ioniJI I;-lws,. rC'guldt"ions,. applicabl(~ eBA or othC-'1' t1ICaSures,. to be in s01'i01JS 
dp(ClLJIl of th(' sPi:lfal'er's el11ploYlllenl obligalions; 
Rd('J'l'n('(' 10 Ihe collcctive bdJ'gainin)'; agreement, if applicdble; 
Thl' ct:lpClcity in which the s(,afarer is to serve; 
;\ provision Sidling thM equal rCl11unpration (or work of equal value shall apply 
to (lIl s('dfal'l'rs employed on the same ship vvithout discrirninaLion based upon 
rd(,(~, colour, sex, religion, political opinioll, national exlraction 01' social origin; 
;\ provisioll Sidling Ih,ll tho s('afdJ'er's cmploynwnl agrcement, specifying the 
dppli[,dbh' Wd!',l'S or wage rdles, shall be carried on board the ship and thai 
inforllldlioll on the amount of wages or \vap;e f<lics shall be n1ade available to 
cW'ir SC'd(,ll'l'r by proviciing atledsl onE' signed copy of the relevant information to 
thl' sl'dfdrCr in d Iclllgudge \vhich the seafarer understands; 
;\ provision stating that wages Sh'lll be paid ill legal tender dTlCC where 
dppropridl(', they Illay be Pdid by bdnk transfer, bank cheque, postal cheque 01' 
motlC'y ordl'r; 
;\ proviSion slating that on termination of cngagenlent, all l'enlUneration due 
shall bl' paid wilhoutundu(, dddY; 
For S('<1(dn~rs wilosp wages arE:' flIlly or pdl'tially consolidated, a provision which 
shall "IW['ify cicdrly Ihe nUlllber of hours of work expectpd of the seafarer in 
rl'lLlrn for this H'111uneration, and (lnY additional allow{inces'which nlight be due 
in cllidilioll to thp consolidated wage, dnc1 in \vhich cirCllI11str:111CCSj 
1\ proviSion slalin!', Ihat adequ'ltl' [",naltics shall be borne by the employer OJ' 
olllC'r appropriale renwdios shall be given the scafarer when a shipowner deJays 
dc'libc'rdll'l), dncl/or unduly, or [ails to l11ake, payment of all reilluneration due; 
20 


2 
1 
4 
5 
6 
7 
X 
<) 
10 
II 
12 
13 
14 
15 
16 
17 
18 
I () 
20 
21 
22 
2l 
24 
25 
26 
27 
28 
29 
3(J 
31 
32 
3J 
34 
35 
36 
J7 
38 
3<) 
40 
41 
'I) 
1') 
s) 
t) 
u) 
v) 
w) 
y) 
/,) 
;\ provision stdtinJ', that WilJ',"S shall be paid dinx:tly to the seafilrer's designated 
Ihlllk dCl'Olllll unless lhe seafarer requesls otherwise in vvritingi 
!\ provision stating that the shipowner shall impose no limit on the seafarer's 
frc'"riol1l to disposc' of his 01' h('!' remuneration except whcn thert' is an express 
provision in tldlioll;:l! li::lws, rp[,;ulat-ions or in an applicable collp.ctive agreen1ent 
dnd 
lhl~ s(l(lfi:Il'cr hi.ls h(x'n ddcllualely inforlllL'd of thp. conditions for such 
deductions; 
;\ I'rovision stdlinp, that tho dc'ductions sh,lIl not in total exceed the limit that 
Illi.])' l1(lV(' b('('ll (~SL:lblish(~d by J1(llionai laws, 1'oeulations, applicab1e collectivo 
(lg],(~(\I1l('nlS or court-
docislons (or making such deductions and that no 
dc~dudions shall be made from d sPdfarcr's remuneration in respect of obtaining 
or rdi:lininp, l)tllploynH-'nt; 
!\ provision statin!" that 1110nt'lary fines against seafarers other than those 
alltilorizl'd ily naliolldl laws or regulations, collective agreements or otlwr 
I1lt'(lSlJrt'S shall be prohibiled; 
!\ provision sldling lhdt to the ('xtcnl lhat seafarer's claims for wages and other 
sums due from thpir employment arc' not secured in accordance with the 
provisions of the Inlerndtioncll Convention on Maritime Liens and ivlortr;ar;cs, 
1')9:1, sllch c1,lil1ls should be protected in accordance with, the Pmteclion of 
WOlh'r's (,I,d IllS (I':(11plo),or's Insolvency) Convention, '1992 (No, '173), 
/\ provision that sl",11 ensure that the ship shall carryon board and provide to 
Sl'dfi:llrrS on bO(Hei frl'c of Chi:lrgl~, fooel dnd drinking water of appropriate 
ljudlily, nutriLioni:il value dnd qUi:ltltity that adequately COV(~l's the requiren1ents 
of the' ship and t,d,es into account the differing cuaura1 and religious 
bdckgrou nels of till' st)dfm'ers on bocuci; 
!\ provision that shall c'nsure that all seafare'rs on ships are covered by adeqllatc 
lll"ilSurCS towdrd the protection of their health, such that they have access to 
prompt (mel adequatc' rn0dical carp while working on hoard and that the said 
protection and Carl) shall be rrovided at no cost; 
Provisions on i:ld(xlllatc~ leavp and rest reriods in confornliLy with the standards 
spt ill' the M I.e 2006; 
Th(' dlll'dtion of t1w elllploYlllent contract. 
42 
'I'll{' terms (lnd conditions for omrloynlont. of i.l seafarer shal1 be set out- in a dearly 
4] 
wrilll'll, ll~gdlly ellforn'i:lble dgrl)('llwnl- and shall be consistent with the stclndards sct out in the 
44 
MI,(' 2006 providing til(' s('M'"'l'r with ciecent wol'idng and living conditions on hoard the ship, 
45 
alllong others. Tilt' shipowner clnd sC'i:lfarc~r concerned shdll each hcl\fc a signed original of the 
46 
SC'(l(,Ht)1' Plllploytll('nt agr()()nwnl. 
,17 
ItH 
TIll' minimum notice period to be given by Lho seafarers and shipowner for the early' 
49 
Lprmitldtion of d Sl~ari:ll'l'r t:Jllploymellt- agrcclllC'nl shclll not be shorter lhan seven (7) days. i\ 
50 
notice ppriod shorter than the minimum mely be givE-'n in cirCUlllstances vvhich elrc recognized 
51 
undt'l" llll' impl('Il1C'nLing rules i:lnd regulations of this I\d of th(~ dPpJicablc collective hargaining 
52 
dl',rl'cnH'nt <IS jllstifidhll' tc,,'ll1inCltion of the ('lllploYlllent agreement at shortcr notice or without 
53 
nolin'. In dl'll'J'lliining thOSl~ l'ircul1lsh:lIll'C's, thl' impiPlllent-ing niles and fpguJations of this Act 
5!) 
shdll includc' provisions thell shall ensure thelt thf' nc('d of the s"afarer to terminate, without 
55 
f1C'nalty, tllC' ('mploynlC'nt ap,1'('('nlC'nt on shorler notice or without notice for compassionate or 
56 
other IJrgC'nt n'i:1SOIlS is ti:lkc)11 into account. 
57 
58 
SEC. S6, 
I'OI:;I-J're.scri/Jer/ Scafllrers' EIIlploy11lellt ilgl'eellll'llt. 
The POEA shall 
Sf) 
prescrihe <l salllplc~ seafarer C'mploYll1(1nt dgrC'C)lllC'nt which shall strictly adhere to lh0 standards 
2'1 


S[~t by this det dl1d the tvlLC 2006 especially on, but not limited to, salaries and wafjcs and the 
2 
pdynwllls dnd rL'lllitli.lIll'L' lherror, which sh;;d! (lIsa contain all the' necessary provisions for the 
] 
i:lt\c'lL!i:1Le protection i:lnd well-being of Filipino sC'afal'ers, including, but nOl iirrlilpd to, 
4 
111clll(\alory SSS cov('l'ap;c' of all ]<'ilipinn scafc-uL']'s with C'mployers' conlribulions. The manning or 
S 
en'wing <:lgC'IlCi('s shall SC'(' t-o it that any and all seafarer employnlf::mt agrcctncnts that are 
6 
pro('(lss(ld ':lIlLi/or ('(ltlSLJIllIl1'll(~d in tho course of their 1'('CI'Uit!11011t and,placqlllC'nl activities shall 
7 
strictly adl",rl' to tlr" M I ,C 2006 and to the said sample af,rcC'ment prescribed by the POEA as a 
8 
minimum gUiHdlll('C' for tIll' protection of liilipino scafarers. liurthermorc, lhp said employment 
[) 
agre('n1('nt shall contain, aillong others, d provision th,lI all sPdfdrers shall be paid for their work 
10 
n'guldl'ly dnd in full in accordance with tlwir ('1l1ployment df;reenwnts, safeguards against 
11 
prolonp,"d ('XpOS[II'(' to vihration 011 hoard ship and provisions on seafarer complaints or 
12 
gri(~Vdnn' Iwndling prOl'(~dllr('s, on-shore and on-board, and masters or captain or employer 
I] 
disciplinary pro[ulur['s thdt shdll comply with at least the minimum requircments of the MLe 
14 
21106 in order to enSLII'[, nwximul11 possible protection of all Filipino s('afarers. Nothing in this 
15 
s['['lion sh(dl h[' d['['nH'e! to prevent till' negotiation ,md/or consummation of such agreemcnts 
16 
that n1<'y ['[)ntdin higlll'r th(1I1 the minimum st(1I1dards set by the 1'01·;;\ and/or the consolidated 
17M I.e 2011h. 
18 
19 
Sl~C. 57. 
VO/lIlIlary alld free AcceptaJlce oj Agreeme1lt. Seafarers signing a seafarQ]' 
20 
<'mploynwnt agreemcnt sh(ill he given an opportunity to examine and seek advice on the 
21 
agr['CnH'nt he fore signil1p" as well as such other facilities necessary to ensure that they have 
22 
fn'ely ['nter('d into (1n "1'/<'["nL'nt with suffici['nt understanding of their rifjhts and 
23 
responsibilities. 
2,1 
25 
5Jo:('. S8. Co/lective lillrgllillillg Agl"l'elliellts. To the extent compatible with Philippine 
26 
Idw (lnt! prdclin" sC'aL:lI"('J' ()mploYIl1('tlt agrc~pll1ents shall be understood to incorporate any 
27 
dPl'lic"bll' ("Il;\. 
In 
(urtl1l'rdn("[~ of this, the I'OEJ\ shall undertake measures to ensure that 
28 
wlll'rl' d Cil/\ forills "II or pMt of d s(,dfMer's l'mployment agreement, a copy of that afjrec1l1cnt 
20 
shall bp aVi:lilahl(' on board and where the h:lnguagc of the seafarer employ-ment Clf,TcCn1.ent and 
10 
(lLlY dl'pllc<1I1I[' ell;\ is not in I';nglish, II", .following shall "Iso be dV<1ildblc in English: (a) a copy 
] I 
of <1 st<1I11i<ml (onn of till' <1gn'l'nwnl; dnd, (b) the portions of the eGA that are subject to a port 
32 
sidle inspection. 
1] 
14 
51':(' . .';9, lIeCl'."i/Jilily of /1l(Ol"lIlllliOIl IlIIII Record of /';lIlplo1jlllellt 011 Board Ship 111111 ill 
15 
POl"ls 10 Ill' "Oisiled, TIll' l'OI';A sh,,11 undcrlakl' llll'dS[lreS to ensure that clear information as to 
36 
thl' conditions of s(~dL:lI\'1' l~mpl()yt1lcllt call be c(lsily obtained on board by seafarers, includin~ 
]7 
thl' ship's n,ast['r, <1lld th"t such inform"lion, including" copy of the seafarer employment 
]8 
"gLH'Llll'nt, is "Iso dccl'ssible for revil'w by offiCl~rs of a competent authority, including those in 
3') 
ports to b[' visited, '111<1 th"t thl' s('"f(lI"l'rs shall bl' a given a document containing d record of 
40 
their ['n1],10),n]['nl on hOMe! the ship, 
41 
42 
Sl':C:. 60 . . ','c'lIJurer Compellsation/or Sllip's 1,055 or fUll1uiillg, I fours of Work, Overlinte 
4:1 
\~ork (lilt! Pay, I.('woes allt/ Sllip/Jotlrd Fvorkillg Arrallgements. The manning or cl'e,V"ing 
44 
i:l)',enciC's shall ('nsure that the standards set by the IVILC 2006 conccrning seafarer conlpensation 
1) 
for the ship's loss or r()undc~rillg, hours of work, overtime work and pay, entitlement to leave 
46 
(ltld shipbodrd working (llTClngclllC'nts are mcl on (lilY (lI1d <:111 seafarer elnploynlCnt a~reenlents 
47 
that (ln~ prOt'('sS(ld (lilli/or {'Ollsunll1li:lted in t-he' course of their r(~(:ruit-rnent and placC111ent 
<18 
(KliviLics. 
4() 
50 
5H:. 6"1. Salaries, Wage.', IIllotlllelliallll nelllitlllllces. All seafarers shall be paid for 
) I 
tlH'ir work regularly dlld in full in ':lccordancc) with their cmploynlent ar,reements. It shall be 
52 
I11dL1[I<1Iory for "II s['df(\l'ers to remit" portion of their earnings to their families, dependents, 
53 
and/ or benl'i'ic;(\l'il's in dc['OrcianCl' with rlll['s and refjllldLions prescribed by the DOLE 
54 
Secrelary. 
55 
SlcC. 62. Lilllitaliolls OIl Wage Dedlleliolls. A cil'dllCtiOIl frol11l1w seafarer's waf/'S shall 
56 
not be l11i1d" without his or /1('r wrilll'11 (ol1sr'11l, unless thr' d"ciuction is provided for in the 
57 
conlr'.ll'l or (,lllplo),lllc'nl <:lnd is (luthoriz(!d by law. 
. 
58 
22 


I 
SH', 6:1, I<,'sl ['(,fiods, A scafdl'er sh'lIl be allowed reasonable rest periods in accordance 
2 
with inl('rtlation,lI slalld'lrds ilild the Labor Codc, He or she shall be entitled to adc'Clmlte time' 
1 
(or rest and sl('cp, '1'11(' period of rest shall, during any 24·hour period, amount to not less than 
4 
III hours. 
5 
6 
Sl~C. 64. S'IlOft' I.l'{f'Ol'. The s('(lL:ln~r shall be allo\vpd shore leave ,·vhen practicable, upon 
7 
lhp con~cnt of till' l1li:lslt'r of dl~pulYI li:lking inlo consideration the operation and safely of th(~ 
8 
v('ssel dnd thl: s(l(lf(l!'(~r. 
I) 
10 
SFC'. 6S, SI,orl IV/allllillg {/111[ Saved Wages, In the event Ihat the whole 01' part of the 
II 
vOy(lg(~ is C<:lrril,d 0111 wilh <l stlhlll('t' crow than what was previously appointed, or if the nllnlbel' 
12 
of the dl'liv(' I1ll'1ll11('rs o( 11ll' cn'w is reduced prior to or during the voyage, the Wqgps saved 
11 
due to Ihis circumstalll,['s shall be distributed proporlionalPly among the members of the active 
14 
('n~w who assllll1l'd (l(\diliona\ work resulting therefrom. 
15 
16 
SI!C'. 66. 1'£'1"011(([ Iffeel', A Seerfill'l'r mery 
brinl~ a reasonable number of articles for 
\7 
pprsolla\ liSP: Jll'(}oid('t/, !u)'{/I("(w/" Thi:ll this does not involve inconvenience to tho ship or car80 or 
18 
POSt' (lilY health risk on board. If th(~ sC~i:lhlrer's persol1al effects an: lost or danlafjed as a result of 
19 
shipwl'l'ck, loss or stt'dlHiing, (1bandonnlt~n1 of 1he vessel, or as <-1 result of fire, floodinp.;, conision 
20 
or piri:lCY, thl' ('lllploy('r Shi:lll reimburse: him or hl-~1' for said loss 01' danla~(~. 
21 
22 
SH', 67, COllsidem/ioll of Sl'1l1ll0rtltill£,'S. When more than half of the crew makes a 
2] 
written cOlllpli:linl 10 t-hl~ lll(lstpl' n'g<-lrciing the: sei:lworthine:ss of the ship for the forlhconling 
24 
VOYClV/', dllci if thl' l'hil~f l'ngil1('er of first lllat(~ makes d sirnLiar complainL r'egard ing the part of 
25 
II", ship, appurlenan['('s or equipment under t/reir respc'clive supervision, the ship mastc'l' shall 
26 
be bOllnd 10 hav(' Ihe ship l'xamined. If the shipmasl"r refuses to let the ship be examined 
27 
d{'spitl' vi:llid cOl1lpldint to do SO, the' crew llldY refuse to proceed with the voyage. 
28 
29 
30 
11 
12 
33 
ellA l'T1iR X 
llliALTIl AND SAI'ETY 
34 
Scc 68, I'f("('<'IItiolt of lIelllll, lIaz({/'{[s. Work on board t1w vtesstel must be oq';dni~ted and 
35 
exccuted in ,such d llldllfler that the SCi:1(drCl"S ,safelY i's propcrly attended to. \Nhcn a seafarer is 
]6 
i:1ssignt~d to work, due' regard shall be paid to his orh(~r qualifications to undertak(~ the work on 
17 
d s(1fc i:11ld sound basis. h'ovisions shall be made to ensure that the seafarer is well-informed of 
18 
the hi:l/,.i:lrcls inht']'('nt t-o lhe' work, i:lnd that he or shc' is given the proper gUidance and adequate 
]C) 
pri:lCtin' IH'('('')sdry to dvoid such hazlHds. 
40 
,11 
Sec 69, S({lIilary COIlr/ilioll', M"as([1'es shou Id bo und,,,'taken to ensme cleanlin',"' and 
42 
1'1'01'('1' hygiene Oil board. The masler ,hall "n5([1'e that the crow is provided a well-baJanced 
43 
did. 11(' should dlso glldrtlllt(lP that the crp\v i'llcpives the nc'cessary vaccination or inoculation as 
44 
t'l'quin'd by till' cil'cumslallce's 01' till' laws of the country o( which the vessel may ('nt"I', 
45 
46 
47 
48 
4l) 
50 
.'il 
52 
53 
.'i4 
55 
56 
57 
58 
59 
SH',70, lIe({ltlt ({lid I'revelliioll of Accidellts, I'rac!icalmeasures should be tak(,11 by the 
rv1arilill1c' Traininp, Council to hrin~~ to the allpntion of young spafarers information concerning 
the pn'vpnlioll o( i:H'('icl(~nts dnd the prot-cction of their health 011 board ships, such me:asurf~S 
could in('llld(~ i:H_il'qlli.lll' illstrllct-ion in l'OllrSes, official accident prevC'nlion publicity intended 
(oJ' young p('rsons and pro(('ssiotl,li instruction and supervision of younr; seafarers. 
SH', 7'1, /llIflllfll[ SII/IS/lll1ce" I(ducalion and trdining of young s"d(dror5 both ashore 
"nd on board ships should include !',uicLlnce on the deirimcntal effecls on their health and wcll-
b('in!', of 11ll' dbus(> of ,,!cohol ,md drugs ,md other potcntially harmful substances, dnd the risks 
and conn'rn, r"'alin\' to IIiV/AI!)S "nd of olher health·risk related activities, 
" 
SHe. 72. MediCitI Ext/Illillalioll IIlId Medical S('/'Vice, A sea(arter cng"ged to perform 
servic('s on hOdI'd shall S('ClIl'(' a I11l'dic,li certificate to the' effect t-hat he is not suffering frolll any 
illnl'ss or I11l'lllrll or physical defect- rendering. him unfit 1'01' work or which Inay constitute 
danppr to other persons on hoard. 
23 


I 
2 
Any m('ml1er 01 tlIP crC'w is ('nUtled to free medical examination should there be any 
::; 
1"l'(lS()ll to IH'ii('v(' thal such is npcessary to monitor Clnd maintain his good health and 
4 
l'IlVirOnll1('lllcii cOl1d ilions Oil board the vPssC'1. 
5 
6 
SH·. 7:1. I'rolcc/iou(rolll Sexlla/llIlI'llSSlIIellt. II shall be the duty 01 the master and the 
7 
C'mployer to 
pn'v(~l1t tl1(' ('oI11missiol1 of acts col1stituting sexual harassment and to provide 
8 
111('asures lor tl10 resolution, selllolllC'nt or prosecution 01 acts of sexual harassment. 
') 
10 
S('xu,,1 hdl"sSl11('nt is Iwr(>in defined as "n act committed by an cn1ployer, employee, 
II 
supervisor, Clgcnl of the cmployer, (lilY other person who, having authority, influence or moral 
12 
i:lsn~lldi:lI1cy over i:.1tl(lt1ll~t' in i:l work, trC.lining, cdoetship, internship ol1vironment domands, 
13 
IWlu,'sts or oth('rwis(' IWlllircs any sexual favor from another, regardless of whether tile 
14 
dr'manel, rr'qll,,,t or rcqllircm(~nt is acc('pteti by the subject of the said Act. 
15 
16 
17 
ellA {'TIm XI 
18 
19 
SOCIAl. WIiUAIU' SliRVICI·:S AND DISABll.ITY IIENIiHl'S 
20 
21 
SI!C. 74. /Jisl/ili/ity. In casc' of total or partial disability of till' seafarer during the term of 
22 
his or her enlploynwnt c"used by C'ither injury or illness, til(' seafarer shall b,' compensated in 
2J 
dccortiancc with the sclll'dulc' of the lwndits prescribed by the law. Computation of his 01' her 
24 
lwndits drising from dn illness or ciisedse shall be governed by the I'Mes and the rules of 
25 
cOl1lpl~nsdlion appiici.\blC' at the timp Lhe ill'nc-'ss or disc'dSC \vas contracted. 
26 
27 
No COlllpl'Jlsalion shall h0 paydhl(~ in r(,spect in (-lny injury, incapacity, disdbilHy or dPdth 
28 
or {he !;Cdri:lrCr 1'e'>1I1UnJ', from his or h('r vvilJful or criminal act; Fnroirlcd, hOlUever, That the 
2() 
employer Cdn prow that such injmy, incapacity, disability or death is directly attributed to the 
:\0 
s"di'an'l'. 
3 I 
32 
When I'('quested, the cmploye'r shdll furnish the sealarC'1' a copy of all pertinent nwdical 
33 
n'porls or ]"{'l'ords (1t no cost 10 the S(\:lfa l'pr. 
34 
]:; 
SH·. 7S. I:/)II'/o.'!('/,'s /.iu/li/ity iff Case 0/ Death. When the ,eafarer dies as a result of 
36 
Injury or illiwss ciuring the t('rl11 of (,Illploynwnt, the employ,'r shall pay the beneficiary of the 
J7 
SP(}L:Hl'J' all nUlsldllding obligations due Lo thl' seafarer under his or her employment contract; 
3X 
Thl' employer is also t1ldnchlLl'd to notify the !lext or kin i:1I1d l11ake arrangen1enL for burial, 
3() 
rPlurn or I"l'pdlridlion of the n'l11dillS, If thl~ dc~i:lth occurs in i:l foreign territory, the mash::.~r shall 
40 
cliso inform til(' Il('cll'c'stl'hilippine Embassy or Foreign Service Office of said death. The remains 
<\1 
cmel p,'r50ndl "fi(,('ts of the sedfarer shall lll' transportoti to the Philippines at the employer's 
42 
l'Xpl'nSl~ l'xccpl i( [ill' dCdt-h occurred ill illl~ port where local 8"ovcl~nment la\-vs or regulations do 
43 
not permit the tnlllsport or such n~l11i:1ins, 
44 
45 
In Ci:lS(' dl'alh (HTlirS i:lt Sl1d, the: i:ll'l'angempnts for the handling of the rClnains shall be 
46 
drmvn lip dnd proposed by the shipmaster to tl", next of kin of the deceased. ln all cases, the 
47 
l'l11ploYl'l' (lilli/or shipmaster, through the manning and crewing agency, shall con1n1unkate 
48 
"vilh thl~ i1l'xl of kin or the deceased i:llld Sf'curc~ the next of kin's concurrence as regards the 
49 
proposed cllTdnp,l'llll'nls covering the handling or ibe SQclrarer's relllcJins, The clupJoyer shall 
50 
i.lIso pay for lh(~ Sl'dfd]'('r's bllrial expenses, 
51 
52 
SliC 76. IlI'lIth lime/ils. In cas" of death 01 the Filil,ino seafarer during the term of his or 
53 
Iwr contract, the C'lllploy"r shall PdY his or 1101' bcnofici<lric's the corresponding death benefits. 
:;<\ 
55 
'I'hC' hC'rl('f,ts shall b,' "'pmdtC' and distinct from and Shdll be in addition to whatever 
56 
llC'nC'fits Ih,' sc,diarC'r is l'ntitlc'd to undC'r Philippine laws cmd rc'glllaLions. 
57 
24 


No 1)'~lldils shtlll h,' ptlyable in CtlSC of death resulting from a willful act by the Filipino 
2 
sedf<Hr'r. In conll('dion Ilwrelo, Ihe l'mployer can prove Ihat such death is directly attributed to 
1 
lhp S('<:lfi:1rPL 
4 
5 
She. 77. I'{II/JI(('III oj Br'l/rfils. Tile cl1lployr'r shall cnsure eXlwditious arrangement for 
6 
Ill(' paynH'nl of d('alil or p('rson,,1 injury belwfils provided under this Act. 
7 
X 
The PllIploYl'r shi:Ill1jkl'wisl~ arrange' for cH.icquClle in~urdncc coverage. 
r) 
I () 
SH'. 78. /(I'"IJir'1I' of /I{'IIr'fils. TI1(' !'CWA shall, upon consultation, with the seafarel' 
II 
UlliollS i:lI1d i:lss()cidlions of nli:lnning agencies dnd shipping companies, undcrtakE.~ a regular 
12 
annual revi('w 01 11ll' d'''lth hl"ll'fils provided under this Act and Ihrough its governing board, 
I] 
upda[(' or am(,lld Ihe d,'alll benefils 10 keep it at par with prevailing international standards. 
14 
15 
SH'. 79. Sr'II/lIfer's l.u{1Ii Gllafalltee 1'/11111. The OWWA, in coordination with 
16 
goverllmr'nl fmaneial institutions, shall instilute financing schemes that will expand the granl of 
17 
pre-dppdrlLll"l' locltl (Illel felinity assistance loan to seafarers in accordance with Section 2] of RA 
18 
5042. All ollll'r Imvs, rull" dnd regulations and OWW/\ Goard Resolutions that may be enacted 
19 
or dllopll'd in IIII' lulure, which shall gran I OWW;\ loans to Overseas rilipino Workers and/or 
20 
Iheir f"lllilil's 01' bendieiill'ics, shall be Q(>enwQ to include Filipino seafat'ers working abroad 
21 
emci/ or lhpil' f,lrni1i('s or hl'IlPficiarips. 
22 
23 
SFC. 80. I/ollsillg 111111 I'rmJit/('Jlt Belleflts. Sealarers shall be provided acC('ss to the 
21[ 
)',ovl'rnnll'nt's housing program through membership 
in 
the 
Paf,-IKIC 
FLmd 
(Home 
25 
i)l'vl'iopnll'nl Muluill I'und). 
26 
27 
SH·. 8'1. Cllfe of Ille Sick 0/' Illjll/'ed. In case of illness 01' injury during the term of 
2X 
l'lllployIlH'llt, lhl' tllds1l'r shedl c.ltTdllpp for the sPdfarer to receive proper nursing care on board 
29 
or ashon~, including propl't' llll'dical attention (lIld tnedicincs. 
30 
:11 
Thp sick or il1j\ln~d spafan't' shall continue' to rpceiv(~ his wages during the time he is 
32 
unckr conlrClcl. 
:13 
34 
If Ihl' work-I'I'lilled injury or ilhlPSS requires nwdical and/or dental treatment in a 
]') 
foreign I)(ln, Ill(' ',,"ployl'r shall ()(' liCible for the full cost of such medical, serious dellt,d, 
36 
surgicCiI '111(/ hospitilllrl'atm('nt ilS well CIS ooard and lodging unlillhe seafarer is declared fit to. 
37 
work or to bt' l'C'pdlrialed. 
38 
39 
SJ!c. 82. Cllre /01' /{el'lllrilllcti Sea/llrers. If after repatrialion, the overseas seafarer still 
40 
1'I''1((il'l's nll'dical dill'nlion arising from said injury or illness, he or she shall be so provided, at 
41 
('(lst 10 till' l'lllplo),,,,, unlil s((ch lime he or she is declared fit and the degree of his or her 
42 
disabilily has b",'nl'siablislll'd by Ill(' employer-designaled phYSician. 
43 
4'1 
I!or tilis l'((rpOSI', lile sl'alMN shilll submit himself or herself to a post-employment 
45 
(ll('dic,I1 I'xilminillion ill' a company-designated physician within IllI'l'(> ('l) working days upon 
4() 
his or lu'l' !"('[urn l'X('C'pt whptl h(' or she is physically incapacitated to do so, in which cas!?, a 
47 
'Nrilll'l1 nolicl' to the' agenc.y within the' same' period is decnlcd as cOTIlpliance. Failure of the 
4X 
sl'afdl"l']' to comply with lhl' ll1emdatory ['(~porting l'equil'PI11Ptlt sha11 n~sult ill his or hl~J' forfpiture 
49 
of his 01' hl'r right 10 c1dimthc abovl' bC,tH-'fits. 
50 
51 
S)!C. 8.1. Socilll Se(,{(fily Bel/(fi1s. All S('alarcrs sh,dl be members of the welfare fund of 
52 
ill!> OWWA, 111<' I'I\C;-IBIC I'(lnd, tho SSS, ,mel the Philippine HeCilth Insural1ce Corporation 
')] 
(I'hilheallh). 
54 
55 
S)!C. 84. Weljill'l' /'llcilities Illlt/ Services. The [)OI.E, in coordination with the [)OTe:, 
56 
[1[.>/\ rlnd other t'l,lpvanl govC'rnment dgetlcies, shall {=,l1sure the provision of such welfare 
57 
(acilities and Sl'!'ViC(lS as flldY be' required, in arrropriate seaport-s and airrorts of U1e country to 
58 
b" knowll CIS ,'i"dlar,,1' VVr~lfdre Cell IeI'. The DClI.E, ill coordination with, th(' aforementioned 
50 
dgI"lCi,'s, shdll l<1k!' 1llI'<1SUr('s designed 'to expedite> Ihe free> circulation among ships, seafarers, 
25 


2 
1 
4 
5 
6 
7 
8 
9 
10 
II 
12 
13 
I~ 
15 
16 
17 
18 
19 
20 
21 
22 
21 
24 
25 
26 
27 
28 
2') 
30 
11 
32 
1:1 
14 
35 
]() 
37 
18 
:l') 
40 
41 
42 
43 
44 
45 
Cf'lllral supply ,1p,£'lll'ies "Ilt! welfdJ'c l'st,lblish11lents of welfare materials such as films, books, 
llC'wsp"per dl1<1 sports e'luipllll'llt for lise by scafan'J's 011 board Iheir ships and in welfare 
CI'lltl'rS dsI11ln', Illtl'rnaliolldl se111in"rs on the subject of welf"rc of seafarers at sea and in port 
shall be orgdni/.t~d, V"I1('I'(' dPproprii:llc, facilities for religiolls ohs0rvanccs, ]c8al servic,os and 
personal counsdill~)J sh,dl be provided in the sdid wclfcHc ccnh~rs. 
CTlAl'TFH Xll 
IH~Cll'T.IN Any AND 1H~I'UTF ~Frn,FMFNT j'ROCFDURE 
SI:C. 8Ei, /Jlllies <if 1111' 1:lIlplOljet M{/s/er, 
d) 
To r"ilhfldly comply with Ihe stipul"tod ter111S and conditions of the employment 
conlr<:lcl, )1arlic\darly the pro111pl paym(~nt of wages, remittance of allolment and 
tl1(' ex ped it iou s s('lliellwnt of V" lid cia i 111S of the soa fa rer; 
b) 
c) 
To llhlkl' operational on board the v1'sscl Ih1' J',1'icv"nce machinery provided In 
lhis conlr,ll'l i:lnd l~t1SLln' its 'free Clccess ell all t-imes by the seafarer; and 
To ensure thl' prnLpclion and safeLy of sGlfarers at all Lirnes. 
SH:, 86, /Julies "/ IIrI' Seafarer, 
a) 
\1) 
c) 
d) 
['0 failhfu[ly cornply with Clnd ohsl'rve the> Il\rnlS and conditions of his contract, 
violations of which sh,lll be subject to disciplinary sanctions; 
To tl'l,,,t tl", ship and the Cd1'go with proper care his duties as " whole with due 
J\ lSfJ()(lSiIJi I it y; 
To comply with c0111pany rules, rq~ulations and policios consistent with the rules 
"1ll1 n')',ul"tions issued by the IJOU\; 
'1'0 conduct himsl'lf or \11'l'self In an orderly and res)wctful manner towards 
PdSS(lllgc~rs and shipper st-evednres, port- authoribes and otJler persons vvHh 
official ousim'ss with the ship, liach shall treal his or her colleagues on board 
with (\u(' consideration; and 
(') 
'['0 ohs(']'v(' lhe' gricvallcP procedurc oullined in this Act. 
SH', 87, iJi.;'cir,lill(//'Y Procedllres, The employer or master shall ocrve seafarero with a 
vvritLC'1l not-in' COllt<:lining thl' grounds for the charp/~s as well as the date, time and place for a 
(orllldl invl1stigdtion of Lhll charges agdinst the S(?d(arcr concerned. 
46 
'1'1", ,'mploy,'r or nlastl'r or authorizpd repr~s8ntativl' shall conciuct the investisation or 
47 
l1l'aril1)~, giving the s('aiMer the opportunity to expldin or defend himself or herself dgainst the 
4R 
chdqj('S. An (,Iltry 011 the illvesUgdl"ion sh())] be "made in Ihe ship'S Joe-hook. J( aftc-,J' the 
49 
investigation or hGHing, the' C'mployer or master is cOllvinc('d that- the imposition of d penalty is 
50 
juslifi(>Li, lht' (lmploy(lr or llli:1sl(~r shi:dl issue d writtell notice of pEmalty and the 1"C'ason thereof to 
5 I 
the st'Clfdt'l'r, willi copi('s furnished to the m<.:llllline or crevving agency which deployed the said 
52 
sl'f:lL:l!'Cr. 
51 
5-1 
I'hl' al',gri(,VI'd sedf"r"r may al')ll'al in writing within a )('riocl of five (5) days from the 
55 
d"t(' the l1l"st('r I'l'ndcred decision to a gric'vance resolution committee composed of one (1) 
56 
rqm'sl'nt"tive from the I'<ltings to be chosen by the concerned scafarer, one (1) representative 
57 
from tl", officer "'vl,1 to be chosen by the 111ast('r, "nd one (I) nClItr,,1 party to be agreed on by 
58 
the concerned Sl'clf'd],('1' i:lIHt shipmasler, 
59 
26 


The (~ri('vdnl'() Resolution (~ommilt-cc shell! r(~view the appe,lI within a period of not 
2 
Illor,' Ihiln lifl('en (1:;) lldys frolll lil" dale of "PI"'''!. I\XClution of judgment is deemed 
3 
SliSIWI1c1cclllI'OIl filin)" 0111", a 1'1''''' !. 
4 
5 
(, 
7 
8 
') 
10 
II 
12 
13 
14 
15 
I () 
17 
18 
19 
20 
21 
22 
n 
24 
25 
26 
27 
28 
29 
]() 
II 
32 
II 
34 
]5 
16 
17 
18 
a) II I Ill' Sl'al,m'r considered hilllself or hersc,]f aggrieved, Ill' 01' she shall make his 01' her 
compl"inl in ,,['['ordance wilh II", following procedures: 
'1. 
'1lll' sC'<lhll'C'r shall app1'O,l['h the head of the depdrlment in which lw is 
2. 
:1. 
s. 
6, 
7. 
dssigncd to cxpldin his gripvancc; 
Tlu) S(~(lri:ll'l~r shall stdle his or her gripvClllce in vvril-ing Clnd in an orderly 
tlldnllPr, (mel shall choosp a proper timc when his 
or hcr conlplaint or 
gri(lVi:H1C(l Cdn b(~ propprly hCc-ud; 
TIll' I J('parlnll'nl Ileaei shall seck to resolve the comphlint or grievance anei, 
wllc)I"(' solution is not possible' at- his levC'l refer the c0l11p1ainl or grievance 
to till) n1dstc'r; 
If Ihl' s('afan'r is not satisfied with the decision of Ihe master, he or she may 
ilPlwalto 11ll' CriL'Vilnco I\csolulion Committee which shall be composed of 
Illl' on(' (I) represenldliv(' from Ihe rd1ings to be chos('l1 by the concerned 
Sl'dfal'(>r, llIW (I) rqll'l's('nlative from Ihe officer level to be chosen by the 
Mdsl"r, dnei 0Ill' (I) neulral party 10 be agreed on by the concerned seafarer 
(llld shiplll<:lstC'r; 
The C;ricvdIH'{~ [\csoiulion Commiltee slldll s(~ek to address and f(~soJvc the 
grit'v'lIlCl' wilhin a period of fiftcell (15) days upon l'PC'eipt of written 
dpppal; 
If no sdlisf,ll'tory result is dchieved, the sedfarer concerned nlay appeal to 
11ll' lllanil!',l'nlL'nt of Ihe company or with a Philippine Labor Attache or 
cOnStlidr office'r overseas. 
TIll' Masler shilll dHord such facilities nec"ssary to enable the seaman to 
11'i:lIlsmil his or \WI' appoai; and 
39 
il) The CrI('vance M,lChilwry sh,lIl be aVdilcd or by the parties 10 Ihe dispute irrespective 
!~O 
of wll('llwr or nol Iheir conlrdclual 1'C>lalionship is covered by a collective bargaining 
41 
agr('('IlH,ni. Tile procedure shall be d condition precodcnt prior to the assumption by 
42 
lht' volunlary arbitl'l' or p(l!lel o( voluntary arhitrators or the labor arhiter of their 
43 
origilld) dnd ('xclusiv(' jurisdiction. 
Whon availed by the sed (are 1', the grievance 
tJ4 
procedun' <:lIld all actions 01' decisions agr('(~d upon shall be properly documented for 
45 
Ihe prOlr'clion ,md inlerosl of both parli('s, Speedy resolution or cases shall be given 
46 
utmost priority. 
47 
48 
c) The Cri('v(ln('{~ R('solution Committee shall include, anlong othprs in its resolution, 
49 
orcic't' or ejpcic.;iOJl ,1 Cl'rtificalion of whrtht'l' or not thc~ relationship of the pCltti(-~s to the 
50 
dispu[-c' (In' cov('n~d by (l collective' bdJ'p,aitling (;lp;\'(~(-lll1ent and the referral oJ the' 
51 
dispUll' 10 Ih" appropri<lle venue. 
52 
5] 
SI!C. 89. /Jispute S"tlll'Jlll'IlL Thl' procedurl' herein stated shall h,' without pn'judice to 
54 
th(' other i:ldion lildt Illi:l)rlx' brought by the seafarer before the jurisdiction of the concerned 
55 
r('guldr courts (lilli/or Ni:ltioni:11 I,(lbor Relations Commission (NIJ\C); or to Lhe exclusive and 
56 
origilldl jurisciidioll of Ih" volunlary arbitrillot' or p<Hwi or arbitrators appointed from the 
'i7 
dClTeciil('ci volunlal,)' arbilralors 0111", National Concilialion and Medialion Hoard (NCM\3) of 
'iR 
IX)LH. 
59 
27 


S]!C. 90. Vollllliurif I\rlli/mlioll. Pursuant to t1w conslill1tional mandate on the 
2 
prdert'n I ia I liSt' or volll n tMy 1ll0Lies or cI is put" s('ttlenll,nl, tl", DOLE sha II aclopt proced ural 
3 
guidelines in the conduct of voluntary arbilrCltion proceedings involving the Ilwrilime seclor, 
4 
,md promole 111<' lISe of voluillary arhltration as a Illode 10 achieve speedy resolulioll of cases. 
'i 
(, 
SFC. 91. MOIIL'1f CI{lims. Nolwilhsl'lI1ding any provision of law to the contrary, the 
7 
Ldbor i\rbllc'rs or Illl' N 1.1\(' shall hav" Ihe original and exchlsivc jurisdiction to hear and 
8 
dl'cid(~, within nilll'ty (90) c(ilendclr days dfler filinr, of the complaint, the ciain1s arising out of an 
<) 
l-'J1lp[oypr-l'lllploycc rddlion~hip or by virtue of dlly layv or conlract involving a Filipino 
I () 
seafan't', including claims for actual, moral, exC'mplary and other (orms of damages. 
II 
12 
The I.dbor i\rhitc't', recognizing the significance of the different modes of alternative 
13 
LiispllLl' resolution shi.lIl 
b(~rorc its dssunlption of jurisdiclion ensure that the dispule has 
14 
llnLicrgolw the Illdllddtory gric'v'lI1ce prOC('LiLlre and not within the ambit of voluntary 
15 
arhiLrdlion. 
1(, 
17 
The li,,j)ility of till' principdl or employer and the manning or crewing agency for any 
18 
'1I1ti dll ('I,Jillls unLier Iilis sc'ction shall be joint and s('ver,d. This pl'Ovision shall be inrorporated 
19 
in Lht? l'(1Iltnwt (or oversellS l'l1lployrncnt and shall11l1 a condition precedent for its approval. The 
20 
pcrtOrt1ldllCC bOlld to be i"ilcd by the mallning and crewin[; agenc)" as provided hy law, shall be 
21 
al1sw('l'dble (or ,111 money claims or dal1ldges that may be aw,uded to the seafarer concerned. H 
22 
the manning or crewing (lgt~ncy is i:l juridical being, th(~ corporate officers and directors and 
2] 
pdl'tllC'rS dS til(' CdS(' IlldY I"" shallllwmsclvcs be jointly dnd solitdrily liahle with the corporation 
24 
or p,ntnC'rship (or lhl~ i:lfo1'C~sClid claims and cL:1mages. 
25 
26 
Such lidbiliti,'s shall contillue during the entire' duration of thE~ Cll1ployn1l'nt agreemcnt 
27 
dnd shall nut I>e ,1I"(ec"[(><1 by dny subslilution, dnwntill1ent or modification mdde locally or in a 
28 
fureign ('ountry wIH~n' II", said ('onlrdet was ('ntered into. Any ('ompromisc, amicable settlement 
29 
or volunlary i.lgn'(-'lllunL on money cldin~s inclllSiv(~ of datlldfjes under. this :;ection shall be paid 
:10 
wilhin lour (4) Illonths frollllhc approval of Ih(' sdtlonwnt by the appropriate authority. 
31 
32 
In caSt' of I"rmination of ovcrseas c'mployn1t'nt withoul just, valid 01' aulhori,.ed caUse 
33 
dl'iilll'cJ by law or ('ontra('t, 111(' s(,dfMcr Shdll bc' cntitlc'ci to the full reimbursenlc,nt of his or her 
31 
pl(lcC'I1H'lll f(,(' with inll'resl i:lt tvv('lvl~ perc('nt Cl2%) per annlllTl, plus his or her salaries for the 
35 
lCl1t'xpil"('(j portiun of his or her employn10llt ('ontracl 01' for three (3) months for ('very yedl' of 
3() 
lh(' lJllPXpin'd l('rlll, whichC'ver is Jess. 
37 
38 
SI'.C'. 92. Li{l/)ili/IJ fol' Claillls. The lidbility of the principal or cmployer and the manning 
3C) 
dl',c'ncy lor any (Idims maLie by a Filipino seafarer under this litle shall be joint and several. 
40 
41 
SH'. 93. 
M(/)lIlt1/ory Ulfbilily [/lslIl'II/lce. 
The State shall establish a system or 
Il2 
prol('ctioll, by WdY o( inStlnlllCl' or an L'quivalel1t appropriate measure, to cOlnpensatc seaft-uers 
4] 
for mOll('telry loss [hill tIH'), may incu!' as (1 rt'sull of the: failure of a recruilillent and placenlcnts 
44 
sl'l'vin' or IIH~ ]"('Il'vdllt shipovvner under lhE.' seafarE'!' L~ll1pl()ynlent agrccnlcnt to 111cet its 
45 
ohlipJi.lliotl to thelll. T(HVdrds this end, i:l lllandalory lidbility insur,lllce coverage for the benefit 
4(, 
of "'drdl'"rS ,mci 10 ('ovcr sC'df,1r('r's money claims sh,'ll b~ c'stablished by the government 
47 
whereby alll1lanning or cI'(1wing dgenciC's shall be required to join in. The seafarer 01" applicant 
18 
shi:lllllot be' mllLic' to pay (lilY chi.lrp}~ or premIum for lhis insuri:ltlce. TheStatc shall ensure the 
49 
payn"'"t in full dllLi without dcldy of seafdl'cr mOl"'Y c1dims. i\n adlllinistrdtive finding by the 
50 
]lOEi\ of i:lny violdtioll of this s('dioll shall cause tho manning or crewing agency concerned to 
51 
suff,'(' Iht' p,'n,tlly of susl1C'nsion or cilneellalion of its license to operate. 
52 
53 
SliC. 94. Prescriplive Pl'I'iot/. Recpgnizing Ihc' particular nature of overseas shipboard 
54 
C'mploynwllt, alll11oJ1Pli:ll'Y c[i:lims arising from thp sf'(l(arer contract shall prescribe within three 
'i5 
(3) yc'ars frolll Ill(' Lidt" or th" ,,'afarer's return to Ihe point of hire. i\1I monetary claims of those 
5() 
c'lllploy,'ci in donlC'slic shippillg shall prescribe within three (3) years from the day the action 
57 
commenced. 
'i8 
'i'J 
28 


I 
2 
" ., 
~ 
CIIAl'TFR XIll 
POST FMl'LOYMIiNT 
5 
Sl':C. 95. T('l'IllillllIiOIl of 1,'l1lp!o.'!IIIClll". The C'mployt11l~nl- of lhe ov(~rscas seafarer shall 
6 
CL'dS(~ wh('n h(' or silt': 
7 
R 
I) 
10 
I 1 
12 
\J 
14 
IS 
16 
17 
18 
19 
20 
21 
22 
23 
24 
25 
26 
27 
2B 
29 
10 
11 
12 
33 
]1\-
35 
3(, 
37 
18 
19 
40 
41 
42 
43 
44 
a) 
(·ol1lplf'll'S his or Iwr period of conlractual servic~ aboard the vessel, signs off 
irollllhl' VI'ssl'1 and arrive'S allhe point of hire'; 
b) 
I\rrivl's i.ll lIll~ poinl of hirc~ (or any of Lhe following reasons: 
l. 
VolunlMily rcsip,ns for JlISI l'ClL[se i1nd signs off prior 10 expiration of 
conlL:lcl; 
II. 
~)igll~-o(f dilL! discmbarks (or heallh reasonsi 
iii. 
Signs-off due 10 shipwrock, . lilY-UP of vessel, change of vessel or 
discontinuance of voyage; and 
IV. 
Is dischi.l1'gcd for jusl C,lLlSC. 
SI!C 96. '{'erll/il/oLioll i>.'II/te Seafarer. 
a) 
follo\vinp;: 
b) 
1\ stedfdrcr IlldY tterminate Ihe l,mf110yer-I""ployee rdationship based on Ihl' 
I. 
TIll' shi P is not seaworthy; 
II. 
Tht' principal ch(lngcs; 
Ill. 
T/H' vesse,l is sold; 
IV. 
'I he v('ssel is shipwl'cl::kec\; 
v. 
TI1l' s""fMC'r has b('el1 ill-ireated on board "nd the master has failed 10 
prolC'c[ him 1'111011 requeslc'd to do so; 
vI. 
The' vO)'i:lge is discontinued or substantially altpred; 
VII. 
;\flPr ll1(-' sl'dfdl'el' shu'ls on bChll'ci, it appears that the ship risk being seized 
by ,1 
hl'lligerc~nl PO\VPJ' 01' exposed to war damage, or that such risk .is 
imllliJ1('nl or has incrpi1seci considc~rably; and 
viii. 
;\fl(-'I' t-h(~ s('ilfare]' starts on board, it appc,l1's lhat d violent epidelllic disease 
h(ls brokell oul in lhe port for vvhich the ship is bound; 
111 C"SI'S I1wnliol1cct in pill·ilgraph (il), subparagraph (vi)-(viii) hereof, the seafarer 
Illily l<lk" his/her dq1arture v,iith illllllediale effect if the voyage has not 
J"OIllI1H'l1Cl'd, or otherwise ,,11110 ship's firsl port of call i1fter he has become aware 
of lhe silll;:ltioll. 
45 
SH:. 97. I'rohi/,ilioll agaillst 'I'mllsfer of Stllti01l. A rilipino seafarer shall not b~ 
46 
lri.lIlsf(~rl'()d at <:lily port to (lilY vl'ssd owned or operated, l1lanned 91' l11~naged by the same 
47 
ctnployC'1' vvithout lhe sCdfarer's consenL 1n the eV(lni" Ih!-ll the soafarer concf'rncci consents vvith 
48 
such lL:ll1sf(ll', the position ()f t-ht' s('afart'l' and the rate of his or hpr wages and terms of services 
4() 
shall, in no Wei)" he lower or inft~ri()r i:lnd the lotal period of cmployn1cnt shall not exceed ·what 
50 
was originally agl'C'C'd upon. Any form of Iri1l1sfer shall ho documented and r~ported by the 
5l 
Illdnning or crewing (lg('llc), to the POHA. 
52 
53 
SH·. 9H. l'osl-{;lIlp!oYIIlCllI Hell£jits. Whenever applicable, in addition to the benefits a 
54 
seafarer may hI' l'nlilll'd 10 LInder the OWWA and the sse;, a retiring seafarer covered by 
55 
colleclivl' bal"l',aininl', ap/I'<'lllcnt shall I", entitled to sllch post-employment benefits as Illay be 
5() 
providl1d ill his or 11(11' l'!1lploYIllPnl i:lgre(~lllent. 
57 
58 
A I'ilipino SI'i1fimT who is nol covered by a Cl31\, on the olher hand, may, upon no lice to 
59 
his or h,'r Illanning or lTewing a\,pncy imd principal, authorize the deduction of a specified 
29 


pcrcentd!',e o( his or hc,r monthly wdges to form part 01 his or her voluntary contribution to the 
2 
post-employment (Lind. TIll' anlOuntto I", deductC'd shall be placi'd in an accouJil inthe name of 
:1 
lhe> contribuling S('(lfdr('r. 
4 
:; 
G 
cn Al''I'FH XIV 
7 
8 
RJ<:]'ATlUA'I'ION 
') 
10 
SI'('. <j'l. Ul'tltlil'illiiol/. All costs r('Jated to th" I'ppatriation and/or transport of the 
II 
PPJ'SOIlc.JI ('Hc'cls of a s('dfclrC'r shall be borne by or charged to the 111dllning or crevving agency 
12 
COlll'C'I'Ill'c1 dnd/ or its principii!. The eXlwnsos of repillrialion shall include the transportation 
1:1 
chargl's, tl1(' dCl'Oll1nlOdation ililCl the loud of the seafarer during the journey. 1 Towevcr, in cases 
14 
wl1l'I'l' the t('rmindtion of c'll1ploYll1ont is due SOll'ly to till' lault of th(' seafarer, the principal or 
15 
('tllployPt' or I1lrllll1ing ot' cn~wing agency shall not in ;;-lllY manner be rcsponsihlc for the 
16 
r"lJ<ltriation of tl1[' fOl'lner and/or his or her personid effects. The implenwJ1ling rules and 
17 
rl'l',ul,ltions 01 this iwt shilll l'Clntain of spafar(']'s that shall strictly adhe]'e to the relevant 
18 
prov is iOlls of till' M I.e' 2006. 
19 
20 
SI!c' ,[(lO. Mal/ria/ol'l! "e!,airiatioll oj tll/del'llge Selljlll'el'5. Upon discovery or 
21 
infol'lmtion of a Filipino sl'afaror und('r the age of I'ightoen (18) in violation of 51'c. 20 (b) of this 
22 
Act, the '''''1I'('St I'hilippilll' consulillc officI' shali, without delay, repatriate the said seafarer and 
2:l 
advise the 111'/\ and 11()1.I': as soon as possible of such discovery and other relevant 
24 
inforl11Cllioll. 
25 
26 
SliC, '[(n. i:1Il(')seIlCl! "e(",lrialioll. The DOl.E, in coordination with th .. OIAlIAlA and the 
27 
1)1"1\, shall 1IIldl'rtak{' lIH~ n~pdlri{jlion of seafarers in cases of war, epidemics, disasters or 
2X 
ndalllitic's, !lallll'di OJ' mdll-madp, i:lIld other simili:l1' ('VQnts without prejudke to reimbufsprnent 
2() 
by lilL' H'SpOIlSih](' prilll'ipi:ll or manning or cl'c~\Ving agency. Seafarers who are detained in a 
30 
foreign port shilll j", dealt with promptly under due proccss of law and shall be provided by the 
:11 
IlI'A with ilppmpriilt(' consular prolc'clion and shall be repatriated promptly, especially when 
32 
the family of th(' s('afal'l'r 01' til(' scaLm'r himsc'lf or hrrsrlf requests immediate repatriation. 
33 
34 
SI':C. Hl2. Usa/it-sis/llllce Flllli/. The I.egill Assistilnce Fund created under RA No. 8042 
3) 
shdll ('xlC'lld legcll sl~J'vic('s to an overs(~as Sl~i:1(arel" "vho is in distress in accordance \vith the 
16 
guid(llint's, l'rilprid Clnd procC'd U res promulgated therein. 
:l7 
38 
3') 
1() 
41 
42 
(,"AI'n'R XV 
lU:JNTliGRATION SIiRVIG:S 
43 
SI~C. '{(n. {<draillillg (llltl f<eiIlLegl'ulioll. Returning or unernployed seafarers rnay avail 
44 
of the livelihood d('vl'iopnll'nt or r('-t!'ilining progrilll1s and placements services offered by 
45 
conn'l'Il1'd l',OVl'I'IlI1lC'nt ill',"!1cies, includ ing OIAlIAl A '1I1d 'J'ESDA, TI ,c, and the CDA. 
46 
47 
'I'11('sc' "),,l'lIcics shilll forll1ulilte skills upgrading 01' retraining curricula to 111eet the needs 
4R 
of ret-urninf, or 1I1l('mploy(~d sea L:l J'('rs. The pdrlicipation of the l11aritime industry, in particular, 
49 
port and shippinpJ industry, (lild 111cll'itime educational inslitutions shall be lil<:pwisl~ solicited by 
50 
tlH' I )01 ,I<: in 
dl~vising thl' dppropridte retraining dnd local job pldcclnenl progranls for 
51 
t1n('ll1ployl~d sl'a(al'l'rs. 
52 
53 
S)i,('. ,[(l4. i:sla/JIi"JII))(,1l1 oj Heilliegm/ioll Cellier. ;\ l\e-intC'gralion Center within the 
54 
OIAlIAl A shilll bl' l'Stilblislwd to attend to th(' nccds 01 returning seafarers. The Center shall 
5) 
provide d Ilwchanislll (or their reintegration into t-lle Philippine society, serve as a pr0t11otion 
56 
hous(' for their IO"ill cmployment, 'Ind till' tlwil' skills and potentials for national developl11ent. 
:;7 
'lR 
The' ('entl'l' Shilll provide t1w following se.rvices: 
:;l) 
30 


2 
j 
4 
:; 
6 
7 
8 
9 
10 
II 
12 
13 
14 
I 5 
b) 
c) 
d) 
I lpv['lup liVl'liiluud prograills and projects for returning seafarers in coordination 
with {he priva/-(' sec/-or dlld cOllccrllod government- agencies; 
('oortiind[C "vith ilppropriatc priVilLe p.,ovprtll11(>nt agencies in the promotion, 
d"Vl'lol'nlcnt, and full utilization of their potentials. For this purpose, the DOI.E 
Shill I he tiIe implementer. The C:DA ilnd ilw TI.RC shall develop alllong rC'lurning 
I<'ilipino 
Sei:l(dITrs, 
technical 
expC'rtise 
in 
the 
(~ntC'rprise buildin!j 
and 
dl'Vl'lol'nll'nt, while, the DSWD shal! provide the necessary services for the 
(~rrl'ctiVl' soci,li re-integralion of migri.lnt vvorkers; 
I kvdop a tlldlching program [hat will atlow returning Filipino seafarers to 
('stil\Jlish business partnerships ilnd employment options with public and private 
s('clor (:nl(lrpris(ls in [\1(' counlry; i:lIld 
Provide a p('riodic study of till' assessment of job opportunities for returning 
16 
s('i:lL.ln~t's. 
17 
I R 
SLCWS. Sc/w/aF'hip l'roSrtllllH, QUillified sCdfarers or their immediate descendants, 
19 
who intl'llll to pllrslle scil'nCl' and tL'chnology related courses may apply .for scholarships with. 
20 
the OWW 1\, which slwll benefit deserving overseas seafarers dnd/or their immediate 
21 
d,'sCl'ntiilnts b['low twenty-one (21) YC<HS of age who intend to pursue courses or training 
22 
primilril\' in the f[('ld of scicllce "nel technology. 
n 
24 
TIll> IJ()I.I':, ill nlorciindtion with the CIIED, shall establish a similar program for 
25 
donlC'stic s['af<1l"c'rs within a pI,riod of three (3) years from the enactment of this Act. 
26 
27 
28 
CIlAI'T1m XVI 
29 
30 
ACCOUNTAllIJ.lTY OJ. GOVI!HNMT!NT OJ'TICIAL AND PERSONNEL 
3 I 
32 
51!C. Hl6. ilccollllll//!ilily of Covemme1l1 OfficiI/is aud Persouuei. Any gov[,rnment 
33 
ofricii.1i and pc~rsollll('1 who fails or rc{uses to render srrvice(s) and/ or assistance to seafarers 
3,,1 
without just CdllS(' sh,lll, a{[~r due notice and hearing, and if found f,ujltYI be punished \vith 
3:; 
sllsp,'nsion from offin' of not less than thirty.(30) days or dismissal from the service with 
3() 
forfpilul"l' of rdin'J11('nl i.lI1d oth(~r benefils. 
37 
38 
39 
ellA I'TI!R XViI 
40 
41 
THANSITOHY l'ROVl5IONS 
42 
43 
51!CI07. Implem/'utius I{ules aud i<eS1llatio!ls. TIl(' IJO'Ul, in coordination with the 
,,14 
j)jo'i\ dnd llH' Sen.:llc' Cotl1J11ilt('C? Oil Lanor and Ihc~ HOllSO Conlnlitte(-' on Overseas VVorkcrs' 
4) 
Affairs lllld otht'r dg('I1Ci('s conc('rnc'Li, 
aft(~l' consultation \-vith the stakeholders dnd wilhin 
46 
ninl'ly (9fJ) dill'S "ft",. the dllectivity of this act, shall formulate its rules and regulations. 
47 
4R 
51!('.101>. '<;"llIlmi!iliLy Clallse. If any provision of this Act is declared unconstitutional, 
49 
LlH' rc'l1l(lilling provisiolls shdll cOlltinue in forct-'. 
50 
51 
SliC. H)'J Ut'IJl'tt/illg CIlluse. ;\11li:1WS, prc'sidenlicli decrees, or issuance, pxccutjvc-orders, 
:;2 
ll'lt,'rs of instruction, rules or rl'!',ulMions inconsiste(lt with the provisions of this Act are hereby 
53 
rc~p(,dl(ld or moLiifi('d accorciingly. 
54 
55 
5l!c:.UO. l./J<'clioily Clause, This ;\ct shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
56 
publICation in till' Offi,·idl C;dzdtl' or in at blst two (2) newspapers of genreral circulation, 
57 
whiL'IH~v('1' com('s first. 
5R 
:;9 
31