House ratifies seafarers' magna carta

house ratifies seafarers' magna carta

Filipino Seafarers

The House of Representatives on Wednesday ratified the bicameral committee report on the proposed Magna Carta of Filipino Seafarers, setting the stage for its passage into law once President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. signs it.

The Senate ratified the same bill on Wednesday.

"The ratification of the Magna Carta of Filipino Seafarers marks a resounding victory for our maritime industry, benefiting shipowners, manning agencies, and especially our seafarers. This legislation fortifies their rights, safety, and welfare," Kabayan Partylist Rep. Ron Salo said.

The bill includes "comprehensive provisions to substantially enhance the maritime sector, particularly through shifting educational oversight to the Maritime Industry Authority" (Marina), a statement on the bill said.

It added that the bill "establishes detailed provisions to govern the qualifications, certification, and conditions for employment of both international and domestic seafarers, as well as provisions that will bolster and promote the domestic maritime industry."

The bill covers Filipino seafarers working "in any capacity on board a ship or vessel plying international waters, whether Philippine-registered or foreign-registered."

It also covers Filipino cadets in line with its provisions on their education and training.

The bill states that seafarers working on domestic ships will be principally covered by the Labor Code of the Philippines and other applicable rules as well as the bill's provisions on seafarers' rights, women in the maritime industry, seafarers' duties, emergency rescue of domestic seafarers, manning levels and crew competency requirements, inspection and enforcement, green lane for overseas and domestic seafarers, requirements for Philippine-registered ships on shipboard training, and incentives and awards for the maritime industry.

The President was expected to sign the proposed Magna Carta into law on Feb. 26 but did not do so and marked it for further review.

Asked about the version ratified by Congress in late 2023 and the new version of the bill, Salo said on Thursday that both "versions specify the rights and obligations of the seafarers, and provide the roles of both the government and the private sector (particularly the shipowners, or their representatives, and manning agencies) in ensuring that the rights of seafarers are protected."

"The second version, which was just adopted, clearly specifies the roles of Marina in enhancing the education and competencies of seafarers. It also clearly provides which provisions are applicable to domestic seafarers vis-a-vis overseas seafarers. It also has provisions that will enhance the competencies of domestic seafarers to support the development of the domestic maritime industry", he said.

"However, the second version lacks the provision that will ultimately curb ambulance-chasing, which has been afflicting our seafarers, and has a negative impact on the attractiveness of Filipino seafarers. The provision which requires bond in executing disputed amounts and discretionary awards was not included in the second version," he said.

"This matter will be the subject of a separate legislation, specifically by amending the ambulance-chasing law," he said.

OTHER NEWS

1 hour ago

Every New Stage in Super Mario Party Jamboree Revealed So Far

1 hour ago

Xbox Game Pass Ultimate Adds 2022 Sandbox Survival RPG

1 hour ago

Well-Received Switch Console Exclusive is Coming to PlayStation and Xbox

1 hour ago

Johnny Depp Honors Late Jeff Beck with London Performance on What Would Have Been Musician's 80th Birthday

1 hour ago

FedEx Soars as Cost Cuts Drive Better-Than-Expected Forecast

2 hrs ago

New York Knicks draft picks: 5 best draft steals since 2000

2 hrs ago

It will be hot in PH with isolated downpours due to easterlies

2 hrs ago

Bulls G Josh Giddey explains why he requested trade from Thunder

2 hrs ago

Pistons emerge as potential landing spot for Mavericks wing

2 hrs ago

MLB strikeout props for Tue. 6/25: Fade Adam this eve

2 hrs ago

Why Dodgers are best match for Randy Arozarena at MLB trade deadline

2 hrs ago

4 Detroit Tigers who won't survive the trade deadline after recent skid

2 hrs ago

Red Sox DH says he misses playing in the outfield

2 hrs ago

Cubs vs Giants: June 25, 2024 game notes, betting odds, etc.

2 hrs ago

Queues on new A27 roundabout 'beyond frustrating'

2 hrs ago

Daniel Ezra Is Leaving “All American ”After 6 Seasons: 'Spencer's Goodbye'

2 hrs ago

Peso slightly stronger; PSEi gains more ground

2 hrs ago

Brewers acquire former Cy Young winner in trade

2 hrs ago

Marcos leads opening of PH’s biggest hotel

2 hrs ago

Marcos vows maritime industry modernization

2 hrs ago

Pentagon chief, Russian defense minister discuss open lines of communication

2 hrs ago

Vitamin C for sensitive skin — now possible

3 hrs ago

Are Wrexham playing Birmingham City in USA? Ryan Reynolds responds to reports of EFL game vs. Tom Brady team in United States

3 hrs ago

‘Pink or Fake?’: Authenticity of viral ‘rare pink dolphin’ photos in North Carolina questioned

3 hrs ago

Luzon mayors ask Marcos to stop plan to revive e-sabong

3 hrs ago

'Every trench' in Ukraine needs a close-range electronic warfare shield against drones and other threats, top official says

3 hrs ago

German minister wants up to 15 billion eur munitions deal, says source

3 hrs ago

Reporter addresses latest NFL position group to see market value drop

3 hrs ago

‘Red One' Trailer: Dwayne Johnson and Chris Evans Team Up to Rescue a Kidnapped Santa Claus in Prime Video's Christmas Action Movie

3 hrs ago

Last-Minute Law on Restaurant Fees Inches Toward Approval Ahead of July 1 Deadline

3 hrs ago

Should You Buy the Dip In Nvidia Stock? Here's What the Fundamentals Say

3 hrs ago

Mendoza, Alburo win, earn finals spots

3 hrs ago

S&P trims PH 2024 growth forecast to 5.8%

3 hrs ago

“SEAL Team” Final Season Trailer Teases 'One Last Ride' for David Boreanaz's Bravo Team

3 hrs ago

Hong Kong court edges closer to sentencing democracy activists involved in unofficial primary

3 hrs ago

Crumbl Is Making Cookie Cereal & Fans Are Divided

3 hrs ago

Verizon to pay $1 million fine over 911 call outage in 2022

3 hrs ago

Triumphs in collaborative architecture and design

3 hrs ago

Paul McCartney, 82, amazes fans with dance moves at Taylor Swift’s concert

3 hrs ago

Boaz Weinstein Says Biden Is Better for Bond Market Than Trump