By: Villamor C. Visaya Jr.
Published in its print edition on September 21 – 27, 2024
IN the past years, we felt the emotional sufferings, aside from the physical and mental challenges, of seafarers when we partnered with Atty. Dennis Gorecho for more than a year in having a regular seafarer’s welfare-themed public affairs program via YouTube and Facebook years back.
So, we also knew that the Philippines has repeatedly failed to comply with the 1978 International Convention on STCW, which serves as the framework of Emsa in ensuring professionalism in Europe’s maritime sector.
That was two decades—almost—since 2006.
That is why when President Marcos signed the Magna Carta of Filipino Seafarers Act in a ceremony in Malacañang witnessed by leaders of the Senate and House of Representatives recently, the overseas workers onboard vessels heaved a sigh of relief.
Think that the more than half-a-million domestic and overseas Filipino seafarers will be protected with their rights and overall welfare. That is a big number helped by the law.
Forget the roughshod acts of some legislators in Congress as it took seven months after President Marcos had returned to Congress this priority measure for its further refinement.
Now, the application of the law, the Republic Act No. 12021 or the Magna Carta of Filipino Seafarers Act should be observed.#
