(Manila Bulletin) Here’s some potential good news for Filipino seafarers.
The House of Representatives gave its final approval to the proposed “Magna Carta of Filipino Seafarers”, embodied in House Bill (HB) No.7325, during plenary session late Monday afternoon, March 6.
The measure, which seeks to safeguard the rights and interests of Filipino seafarers and ensure their “full protection before, during, and after employment”, garnered 304 affirmative votes during nominal voting for third and final reading.
Four House members entered a negative vote. There were no abstentions.
The bill also aims to develop a pool of competent and world-class seafarers “through a system of education, training, certification, and licensing”.
“Our seafarers are our unsung heroes. Almost 400,000 of them are on board merchant shipping vessels around the world at any given time. They are not only a source of income for the country through their remittances but also a source of pride,” House Speaker Martin Romualdez said… Read More
