House panel okays proposed seafarers' Magna Carta

House panel okays proposed seafarers' Magna Carta
Ma. Reina Leanne Tolentino February 9, 2023 https://www.manilatimes.net/2023/02/09/news/house-panel-okays-proposed-s...

A committee at the House of Representatives has approved the substitute bill for a Magna Carta for Filipino seafarers.

The Committee on Overseas Workers Affairs approved the measure, which substituted 12 House bills, during a virtual meeting on Thursday.

"Over the past few months, we held a series of consultations with various stakeholders to listen to your concerns and inputs in order to address the sentiments of the entire Philippine maritime industry and to make sure that our bill is holistic, effective and most responsive to the needs of our seafarers and as well as to revitalize the [...] maritime industry", Kabayan Rep. Ron Salo, the committee chairman, said.

The substitute bill was approved subject to approved items' inclusion in the bill and subject to style.

"With everyone's support, especially the vital inputs and recommendations in fine-tuning the provisions of the bill, we are confident that we have a well-crafted and balanced Magna Carta of Filipino Seafarers that our seafarers and the whole maritime sector will be proud of," Salo said.

A Magna Carta for Filipino seafarers is among the priority measures under the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council's Common Legislative Agenda.