Kalayaan Hall, Malacañan Palace
January 8, 2025
“Only three months after I signed the Magna Carta of Filipino Seafarers, we now witness the signing of its Implementing Rules and Regulations. This reinforces our commitment to ensuring the welfare of our seafarers,” President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. remarked, emphasizing that among the features of the IRR is the establishment of One-Stop Shop Centers for Seafarers to simplify processes and eliminate bureaucratic hurdles.
During the signing ceremony of the IRR of the Magna Carta of Filipino Seafarers in Malacañan Palace, President Marcos Jr. underscored that these initiatives not only create new opportunities for the maritime industry but also reflect the government’s dedication to implementing more progressive and equitable policies within the sector.
Signed into law on 23 September 2024, Republic Act (R.A.) No. 12021 or ‘An Act Providing for the Magna Carta of Filipino Seafarers’ seeks to protect the rights and welfare of both domestic and overseas Filipino seafarers and promote their full employment.
Speaking before heads of agencies and seafarer representatives, he highlighted that the IRR aims to create a skilled and competitive maritime workforce. He stressed its goals of improving access to advanced training and required maritime schools to adopt modern facilities, ensuring that seafarers and cadets are equipped to compete globally.
“Beyond compliance with international standards, these efforts also secure the future of our seafarers in a rapidly evolving industry. These provisions are part of a holistic framework designed to uplift the lives of Filipino seafarers and their families,” he continued.
The Chief Executive urged public servants, industry leaders and maritime advocates to fully embrace their roles, ensuring that every provision of the Law and its IRR is not merely words on paper but a dependable safeguard that seafarers can rely on.
“Sa ating mga marino: Saan mang dako kayo ng mundo, patuloy ninyong binibigyan ng karangalan ang ating bansa dahil sa taglay ninyong kasipagan, kahusayan, at katatagan. Kaya naman, sa bawat paglalayag, sa bawat paglalakbay ninyo, kami po ay nasa likod ninyo, naglilingkod upang higit na maitaguyod ang inyong seguridad, dignidad, at karapatan,” he added.
“Sama-sama nating itaguyod ang Bagong Pilipinas kung saan ang bawat manggagawa, kasama na ang ating mga marino ay may seguridad at matiwasay na kinabukasan,” President Marcos Jr. stated.
The final version of the IRR contains 22 Rules that establish a comprehensive framework to operationalize the principles enshrined in the Magna Carta, including its four (4) major provisions: Strengthening Seafarers’ Rights and Welfare, Promoting Equality and Inclusion, Advancing Maritime Education and Training, and Ensuring Accountability.
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