Press Release
September 2, 2021

Villar rallies behind Pinoy seafarers Magna Carta

Senator Cynthia A. Villar has expressed her full support to Senate Bill No. 2369 under Committee Report No. 289--the "Magna Carta of Filipino Seafarers," while acknowledging their significant contributions to the world amid the coronavirus pandemic.

"The trade of food, necessary medicines, medical supplies and equipment, and other essentials are facilitated with the continuous toil and sacrifice of our seafarers on board various cargo vessels," said Villar.

"And their contributions and work as seafarers are highlighted, especially now while we are at a pandemic," she added.

In fact, she related the seafarers aboard cruise ships were among the first to be affected by the COVID virus, and yet they continue to venture with their work hazards.

Because of this, Villar underscored the need

to give our seafarers all the protection they need.

The Magna Carta of Filipino Seafarers, Villar said, will guarantee the protection of their rights, and the standards to be followed on their employment terms and conditions.

It will also afford a system to provide for their financial security and a mechanism to protect their health and welfare in case of pandemic and monitor the crucial role of certain government agencies like MARINA, DOLE, CHED, PCG tasked to protect them and improve the maritime industry.

She likewise said the legislative measure will also guarantee the much-needed mechanism ensuring women protection and empowerment in the maritime industry. She stressed that women, in a male-dominated maritime industry, are exposed or vulnerable to sexual harassment and violence.

"It is no secret that Filipinos are the preferred seafarers in the world. This is due to the innate ability of Filipinos to cope up with marine life, being hardworking, dedicated to work, flexible, cheerful, being highly trainable and fluent in English," said Villar, adding that 25% of all seafarers in the world are Filipinos.

According to Villar, the Filipino seafarers, comprising a chunk of our beloved OFWs, have always been close to her family. She said it has always been the advocacy of her family to serve them.

"That is why, may I share with you here, that we have devoted a family-owned facility, The Villar Tent in C5 Las Piñas, as well as medical personnel for the vaccination of our seafarers against COVID," she said.

With coordination of MARINA and the Las Piñas General Hospital, Villar said they have so far vaccinated 10,000 seafarers and "we are ready to vaccinate more as long as there will be more vaccine supplies to be provided by the IATF, given that our seafarers are among the priority groups to be vaccinated."###


Villar, suportado ang Magna Carta para sa Pinoy seafarers

SUPORTADO ni Senator Cynthia A. Villar ang Senate Bill No. 2369 sa ilalim ng Committee Report No. 289- ang "Magna Carta of Filipino Seafarers," kasabay ng pagkilala sa mahalagang naiambag ng mga ito sa buong mundo sa kabila ng coronavirus pandemic.

"The trade of food, necessary medicines, medical supplies and equipment, and other essentials are facilitated with the continuous toil and sacrifice of our seafarers on board various cargo vessels," sabi ni Villar.

"And their contributions and work as seafarers are highlighted, especially now while we are at a pandemic," dagdag pa niya.

Ipinahayag ng senador na kabilang ang seafarers sa mga naunang apektado ng COVID virus, subalit ipinagpatuloy pa rin nila ang kanilang trabaho sa kabila ng panganib.Dahil dito, iginiit ni Villar na marapat lamang na bigyan sila ng protekyon.

Tinitiyak sa Magna Carta of Filipino Seafarers, ang proteksyon ng kanilang karapatan at ang mga dapat sundin sa kanilang employment terms and conditions. Magbibigay din ito sa kanila ng financial security at mekanismo para alagaan ang kanilang kalusugan at kapakanan kapag may pandemiya at bantayan ang mga ahensiya gaya ng MARINA, DOLE, CHED, PCG na mangangalaga sa kanila at magsusulong sa maritime industry.

"The legislative measure will also ensure the much-needed mechanism ensuring women protection and empowerment in the maritime industry. She stressed that women, in a male-dominated maritime industry are exposed or vulnerable to sexual harassment and violence," ani Villar.

"It is no secret that Filipinos are the preferred seafarers in the world. This is due to the innate ability of Filipinos to cope up with marine life, being hardworking, dedicated to work, flexible, cheerful, being highly trainable and fluent in English," ayon pa sa senador na nagsabing Filipino ang 25% ng seafarers sa buong daigdig.

inihayag din ng Nacionalista Party senator na malapit sa kanilang pamilya ang Filipino seafarers na malaki ang bilang sa ating OFWs. Aniya, adbokasiya nila ang pagserbisyuhan ang mga ito.

"That is why, may I share with you here, that we have devoted a family-owned facility, The Villar Tent in C5 Las Pinas, as well as medical personnel for the vaccination of our seafarers against COVID," sabi ng senador.

Sa koordinasyon ng MARINA at Las Piñas General Hospital, sinabi ni Villar na may 10,000 seafarers ang nabakunaha sa The Villar Tent "and we are ready to vaccinate more as long as there will be more vaccine supplies to be provided by the IATF, given that our seafarers are among the priority groups to be vaccinated."###

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