TACLOBAN CITY (PIA) —Filipino seafarers training at the National Maritime Polytechnic (NMP) in Tacloban City are celebrating the release of the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of the Magna Carta of Filipino Seafarers (MCFS).
The newly enacted law has been lauded as a significant milestone that ensures the rights, safety, and welfare of Filipino maritime workers both here and abroad.
Many Filipino seafarers have been braving international seas for many years, and they are one in saying that the passage of this piece of legislation has been long awaited.
Miguelito Miranda, a first assistant engineer of a ship navigating international waters said they are happy that Magna Carta for Filipino Seafarers is finally ready for full implementation.
“Napakalaking tulong po ito sa amin na mga seafarer because the law aims to create more secure and supportive environment for seafarers, [and protect our rights], Miranda said.
Another seafarer, John Jaydee Trono, a motorman who has been a seafarer for eight years, admits there is also discrimination onboard ships among seafarers of different nationalities.
Under this newly-enacted law, seafarers shall have the right to be protected from discrimination on the basis of race, sex, gender, religion, political opinion or place of birth.
National Maritime Polytechnic Executive Director Victor Del Rosario welcomes the full implementation of the law saying this is one landmark legislation of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s administration that will ensure greater protection for Filipino seafarers in all fronts.
Del Rosario also said the law affords the NMP a much-needed support in their role as a government-run maritime training institute to expand its training facilities to other areas in the country and improve its training courses to continually produce globally competitive seafarers in the country.
RA 12021 or the Magna Carta for Filipino Seafarers provides for the seafarers’ rights and duties, protection of women in the maritime industry, emergency rescue of domestic seafarers, manning levels and crew competency requirements, terms and conditions of employment; accommodation and food; medical care, inspection and enforcement; and dispute resolution.
The MCFS outlines the rights of seafarers, including just terms and conditions of work, the right to self-organization and collective bargaining, affordable access to educational advancement, the right to information, and the protection of a seafarer’s family or next of kin.
Also, the MCFS ensures seafarers’ right to safe passage, legal representation, medical attention, access to communication, and fair treatment in case of a maritime accident.
Additional protections are provided to female seafarers, safeguarding them from gender-based discrimination and ensuring they receive equal compensation as their male counterparts. (ACR/PIA Leyte)
National Maritime Polytechnic Executive Director Victor Domingo lauds the full enactment of the Magna Carta for Seafarers as a landmark law of the President Ferdinand Marcos’ administration.(Photo by PIA Eastern Visayas)
