Senate, House OK bicam report on seafarers bill

THE Senate and the House of Representatives ratified on Wednesday the bicameral conference committee report on the Magna Carta of Filipino Seafarers which reconciled the provisions of Senate Bill (SB) 2221 and House Bill (HB) 7325.

Sen. Rafael «Raffy» Tulfo, principal sponsor and one of the authors of SB 2221, said the ratification of the measure is the result of a collaborative process between both chambers in coming up with the best law that will protect and promote the interests of seafarers.

«Just a little more patience 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.

He thanked his fellow conferees from the Senate and those from the House for keeping an open mind in reconciling the different provisions of the bills.

It includes the matter of annual leave wherein the bicam members agreed to a compromise of 3.5 days per month of employment.

The Senate also adopted the House version institutionalizing the shipboard training which will be regulated and monitored by the Maritime Industry Authority (Marina). Tulfo said this «ultimately addresses the repeated concern on the credentials of our seafarers and their compliance with the STCW (Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping).»

While there were 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 The Magna Carta for Seafarers is not the final law the Senate will work on to protect Filipino 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,» he said.

Kabayan Party-list Rep. Ron Salo, who headed the House panel, lauded the passage of the Magna Carta of Filipino Seafarers.

Salo, chairman of the House Committee on Overseas Workers Affairs and a primary author of the measure, said the ratification