President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. backed out at the
last minute from signing the Magna Carta for seafarers on Monday 26 Feb.
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.