The Senate has adopted and ratified the bicameral conference committee report on the Magna Carta of Filipino Seafarers which reconciles the provisions of Senate Bill (SB) No. 2221 and House Bill (HB) No. 7325.
Senator Raffy Tulfo, principal sponsor and one of the authors of SB No. 2221, said the ratification of the measure is the result of a collaborative process between representatives from both houses who have the same intent of coming up with the best law that will protect and promote the interests of seafarers.
“It is ready to go home to our beloved Filipino Seafarers and be a lighthouse to their voyages.”
“Konting-konti na lang po, and this Magna Carta of Filipino Seafarers will have concluded its long and turbulent journey. It is ready to go home to our beloved Filipino Seafarers and be a lighthouse to their voyages,” Tulfo said.
The legislator likewise thanked his fellow conferees from the Senate and their conferees from the House of Representatives for keeping an open mind in reconciling the different provisions of the bills.
Though they had different opinions, the lawmaker announced that “matters have been ironed out in the Bicam”.
“It includes the matter of annual leave wherein the Bicam members agreed at a compromise of 3.5 calendar days per month of employment.”
It includes the matter of annual leave wherein the Bicam members agreed at a compromise of 3.5 calendar days per month of employment, the senator noted.
Likewise, the Senate adopted the House version institutionalizing the shipboard training which will be regulated and monitored by the Marina.
He said this “ultimately addresses the repeated concern on the credentials of our seafarers and their compliance with the STCW”.
While it took them extensive discussions among the Bicam members, Tulfo said they ultimately came up with the provision on the Execution of Judgment and Monetary Awards where the winning party would be ensured restitution of the disputed monetary award, in case of a reversal on appeal.
He promised that The Magna Carta for Seafarers is not the final law that they will work on to protect the seafarers.
“Throughout the process concerns have also been raised regarding the efficacy of the Seafarer’s Protection Act. I have taken note of these and will initiate its review next year,” Tulfo concluded.
