President Marcos vows stronger protection for Filipino seafarers

September 24 ------ President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. reaffirmed the government’s commitment to protect the rights, welfare, and safety of Filipino seafarers.

In his speech during the Philippine Maritime Convention 2026 at The Manila Hotel, President Marcos said the government will continue strengthening programs that protect Filipino seafarers while ensuring they remain competitive amid rapid technological changes and growing security risks in the global maritime industry. “As we commemorate its second anniversary, we renew our commitment to uphold the rights, welfare, safety, and dignity of our seafarers,” President Marcos said, referring to Republic Act No. 12021, or the Magna Carta of Filipino Seafarers, a landmark measure for maritime workforce, which he signed into law on September 23, 2024.

With the theme, “Sailing Forward: The Philippines as the Global Leader in Seafarers’ Welfare, Protection, and Maritime Excellence,” the two-day convention aims to establish a shared national direction for the country’s maritime industry and strengthen collaboration among the government, employers, international maritime partners, labor groups, and education and training institutions.

President Marcos said the maritime industry is undergoing “profound change,” with digitalization and new technologies transforming ship operations and the skills required of seafarers. “The maritime sector is in a period of profound change. Their work has become complex, and in some cases, dangerous,” the President said. “Digitalization is changing the skills that the industry requires. The way we prepare and protect our seafarers must evolve with the world that they sail in,” President Marcos added.

President Marcos also recognized the dangers faced by seafarers caught in armed conflicts, geopolitical tensions, attacks, and other security incidents at sea. “Some have suffered injuries, while others have tragically lost their lives in the line of duty. We honor their service and their courage, and we extend our deepest sympathies to the families that they have left behind,” the President said.

To better protect Filipino seafarers, President Marcos said the government has strengthened safeguards for those working in war-risk areas and improved its capacity for emergency repatriation through the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA).

The President likewise cited the signing this year of the 2026 DMW Sea-Based Rules and the updated Standard Employment Contracts for Overseas Filipino Seafarers to strengthen protection and accountability.

President Marcos also noted the establishment of a dedicated Seafarers’ Welfare Center to provide welfare, training, healthcare, and legal support services to Filipino seafarers and their families.

For seafarers who choose to stay in the country, President Marcos said the government also continues to provide livelihood programs and other forms of assistance to help them establish sustainable sources of income.

The President cited the Full-Cycle National Reintegration Program, where seafarers are provided with livelihood assistance, wellness support, financial literacy training, and other services based on their needs and skills.

Another initiative is the 2026 LIKHAng MARINO Business Plan Competition, which provides returning Filipino seafarers with business coaching and technical guidance, as well as seed capital for winning business proposals.

To help Filipino seafarers keep pace with evolving industry demands and international standards, President Marcos said the government continues to strengthen the implementation of the Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers Convention and Code.

President Marcos said these efforts are crucial to maintaining the strong global reputation of Filipino seafarers, who remain in demand because of their “competence, adaptability, and character.” “For generations, Filipino seafarers have carried more than cargo across the oceans. They have carried the reputation, the culture, and the pride of the Philippines,” the President said.

President Marcos noted that Filipinos account for nearly one in every five deployed seafarers worldwide, making the Philippines the world’s leading seafarer-supplying country. “Wherever there is a ship that needs a skilled hand, a steady mind, and a strong sense of responsibility, more often than not, there is a Filipino on board,” President Marcos said.

The President stressed that preserving this hard-earned reputation also carries a greater responsibility to ensure that Filipino seafarers know their country stands firmly behind them. “Let us ensure that every Filipino that sails under the Philippine flag, or represents the Philippines aboard an international vessel, carries the confidence that their country stands behind them,” President Marcos said. “They have spent generations connecting the Philippines to the world. We owe it to them to build a system worthy of their sacrifice, their trust, and their dreams,” the President added.

Source: pia.gov.ph