President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. backed out at the last minute from signing the Magna Carta for seafarers on Monday.
In a message to reporters to explain the President’s decision, Presidential Communications Office Secretary Cheloy Garafil said the bill would be “under further review.”
The Magna Carta will define the rights and guarantee the well-being of Filipino seafarers, encompassing the reintegration program, complaint mechanism, and social welfare perks.
In September 2023, President Marcos urgently certified the proposed bill to assist the Philippines in meeting its obligations to seafarers and ensuring that Filipino seafarers’ training, facilities, and equipment align with international standards and relevant conventions.
The proposed bill came after the European Commission told the Philippines about its proposed ban on Filipino seafarers over training deficiencies.
Filipino seafarers are the cornerstone of the international maritime industry. In 2022, over 489,000 Filipino sailors were working on ships globally.