By: Lara San Juan
April 04, 2025 | Mandaue City, Cebu “Maayong buntag ug malipayong pag-abot kaninyong tanan sa AMOSUP Info Caravan 2025!” (“Good morning and a warm welcome to all of you to the AMOSUP Info Caravan 2025!”), greeted Dr. Teody Alcantara, Medical Director of AMOSUP Seamen’s Hospital Cebu.
Active seafarers from Central Visayas gathered at at the AMOSUP Seamen’s Hospital Cebu’s Ground Floor Multi-Purpose Hall for a full-day event jam-packed with meaningful exchange of information, services, and support provided by the union, key government agencies, and social partners.
This year’s caravan forms part of the union’s ongoing 65th anniversary celebration. According to AMOSUP President Dr. Conrado F. Oca, it is both a tribute to the union’s history and a step toward a more empowered maritime future.
“As we celebrate AMOSUP’s 65th founding anniversary on November 11 this year… we honor our visionary founder, Captain Gregorio S. Oca who built our robust organization from the ground up,” Dr. Oca said in his welcome remarks. “We continue his extraordinary legacy as we strengthen our union’s efforts to further drive our progress while moving towards a more sustainable, just, and inclusive future for our seafarers.”
Throughout the day, representatives from government agencies such as MARINA, DMW, OWWA, SSS, PhilHealth, and Pag-IBIG provided updates and answered questions on seafarer- related policies and benefits. Booths were also set up along the halls to cater to seafarers, including on-site services like Pag-IBIG’s issuance of Loyalty Plus Cards and the SSS e-Wheels mobile service.
MARINA Regional Director Annabell Lagas emphasized the country’s continued maritime leadership and the government’s ongoing reforms. “Based on the Department of Migrant Workers’ data and MARINA’s 2023 Statistical Report, the number of employed Filipino seafarers significantly increased from 345,517 in 2021 to 578,626 in 2023,” said Dir. Lagas. “The Philippines continues to rank as the world’s top supplier of seafarers, reflecting our strong global presence and competitiveness.”
She also highlighted key developments under the Magna Carta of Filipino Seafarers (RA 12021), such as the planned Office of the Deputy Administrator for Human Element (ODAHE) and MARINA’s digital transformation via the MARINA Integrated Seafarers Management Online System (MISMOS) system, which now processes around 3,000 seafarer certifications daily.
One of the event’s highlights was the keynote speech by ITF Manila Inspector Chief Engineer Arvin Peralta, followed by sessions led by AMOSUP union service units in a talk show format—bringing together local representatives from the Seamen’s Hospital, Sailor’s Home, Slop Chest, AMOSUP ID Center, Provident Fund, and Welfare and Mutual Benefit Program (WMBP) who shared updates and services available to members.
Adding to the significance of the event, Senator Raffy Tulfo, Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Migrant Workers, visited AMOSUP Seamen’s Hospital Cebu and toured the union’s key facilities like the hospital, activity center and Sailor’s Home. He also attended the afternoon session of the Info Caravan and engaged directly with seafarers to discuss their feedbacks on the Magna Carta of Filipino Seafarers. This open dialogue provided an opportunity for seafarers to raise concerns and seek clarifications on wage allotment, percentage shares, and protection against abusive practices.
Senator Tulfo emphasized, “Kakausapin ko po yung mga agency na sana magkaroon ng uniformity at wag sila gagawa ng sarili nilang batas na walang naka indicate doon sa Magna Carta.” (I will talk to the agencies to ensure there is uniformity and that they do not create their own rules that are not included in the Magna Carta.) He also highlighted the importance of financial management for seafarers, stressing that proper financial management must be implemented as well.
“AMOSUP thank you tinulungan niyo kami sa senado na mabuo yun Magna Carta for seafarer and sana yun partnership natin will not end, tuloy-tuloy lang po para sa kapakanan ng ating mga seafarers,” (AMOSUP, thank you for helping us in the Senate to finalize the Magna Carta for seafarers. I hope our partnership will continue and never end—let’s keep moving forward for the welfare of our seafarers.) Sen. Raffy Tulfo said.
In the latter part of the program, AMOSUP’s Legal Counsel and Administrative Secretary Atty. Alex Ragonjan addressed key provisions of the RA 12021 and emphasized the importance of providing seafarers with accurate information about the newly enacted law. Meanwhile, AMOSUP Legal Counsel and Data Protection Officer Atty. Henry Zamora shed light on the issue of ambulance chasing, educating the seafarers on how to identify and protect themselves against misleading claims and legal exploitation.
The event was made even more exciting through the generous support of Duty Free Philippines Corporation, which thrilled attendees with raffle draws and prizes. Another segment featured the AMOSUP Contact Center and AMOSUP official social media channels, encouraging members to stay connected with the union, seek assistance when needed, and keep updated with the latest announcements, programs, and events.
Also in line with the union’s upcoming 65th anniversary, the “65 for 65 Campaign” was also introduced which is an initiative aimed at strengthening AMOSUP’s presence and deepening its engagement with its community, its members and maritime stakeholders across various platforms.
As the program concluded, AMOSUP Seamen’s Hospital Cebu Medical Director Dr. Teody Alcantara delivered his closing remarks, emphasizing the union’s unwavering commitment to the welfare of Filipino seafarers.
Through the AMOSUP Info Caravan, the union continues to bring its services closer to seafarers and their families. This year’s successful rollout in Central Visayas marks a significant step in strengthening connections with our members in the region. The next Info Caravan in 2026 is set to take place at AMOSUP Gig Oca Robles Seamen’s Hospital in Davao City.