Greetings of solidarity to all our members and to every Filipino seafarer working onboard the world’s fleets!
Today, we in AMOSUP are privileged to have witnessed President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr. sign into law the highly anticipated Magna Carta of Filipino Seafarers in Malacañang.
The enactment of the Magna Carta of Filipino Seafarers is an important victory for all Filipino seafarers serving onboard both domestic and international vessels, as it seeks to ensure our country’s compliance with the Maritime Labor Convention, 2006 that protects the rights and promotes the welfare of all seafarers and encompasses comprehensive safeguards to uphold their rights to decent, just, and gainful employment.
For this, we express our profound gratitude to the 19th Congress of the Philippines – our esteemed lawmakers, Senator Raffy Tulfo, Chair of the Senate Committee on Migrant Workers, Congressman Jude Acidre, Chair of the Congress Committee on Overseas Workers Affairs (COWA), Congressman Ron Salo, Former Chair of the Congress COWA, and to all the honorable Senators and Congressmen and women who, despite all the challenges, determinedly defended this measure and saw it through.
We also thank our allies in championing our seafarers’ rights and welfare, Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Cacdac, Labor and Employment Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma, Overseas Workers Welfare Administrator Arnell Ignacio, as well as our other stakeholders and social partners.
Last but not the least, we extend our deepest gratitude and appreciation to President Bongbong Marcos for finally signing our Filipino Seafarers’ Great Charter into law after twenty years since it was first filed by the late Senator Edgardo Angara during the 13th Congress in June 2004 – two years before the ratification of the Maritime Labor Convention, 2006, which was one of the greatest legacies of AMOSUP’s late founder and visionary leader, Captain Gregorio S. Oca.
Tao puso pasasalamat po sa inyo mula sa mga magiting nating Pilipinong Mandaragat.
The passage of the Magna Carta of Filipino Seafarers into law is a testament to the Philippine Government’s commitment to protecting the best interests of our sea-based overseas Filipino workers and ensuring that they continue to thrive and succeed in the global maritime industry. It is the perfect opening salvo to our festivities in celebration of the 25th National Maritime Week and the World Maritime Day.
The Magna Carta of Filipino Seafarers is truly a gift and a wonderful tribute to our noble and hardworking seafarers who contribute greatly to our country’s economy, and are instrumental in moving the world trade, and in keeping the global supply and value chains unhindered.
Muli, Maraming Maraming Salamat po sa ating Pangulong Bongbong Marcos, Jr. at sa ating mga mambabatas sa pagpasa bilang batas ng Magna Carta of Filipino Seafarers!
Mabuhay po kayo at Mabuhay ang Bawat Pilipinong Mandaragat! ###