Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) 2006

21st National Seafarers' Day 2016

Pinoy Seafarers’ Rights

Atty. Dennis R. Gorecho

21^st National Seafarers Day

The 21st  National Seafarers’  Day (NSD) is all set on September 25, 2016 which is celebrated every last Sunday of September as a tribute to our Filipino seafarers.

The  Philippines  is considered as the major supplier of maritime labor globally as it is  estimated that there is one Filipino seafarer for every four complements  on board a vessel at any time.

Given the vast Philippine coast line (twice the size of the  United States  and nearly three times more than  China  ), Filipinos have natural maritime instincts that place them at an advantage over other nationalities. Foreign shipowners are known to prefer Filipino seafarers for equally important qualities: dedication and discipline, industry, flexibility, loyalty, English language fluency, adaptability, positive work attitude, law-abiding, and problem-solving capability.

Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) data showed that there are 44L,826  Filipino seafarers with POEA approved contract deployed in 2014. On the other hand, , the deployed seafarers in 2015 brought in US$
5,792,459,000 as dollar remittances. The seabased sector’s remittance comprise at least 22% of the total dollar remittances of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs).

These remittances help spur domestic consumption in the  Philippines  and a key ingredient in the country’s drive to achieve higher but sustainable growth.

However, away from his family and working on board vessels sailing non-stop for weeks or months the world’s oceans, the Filpino seafarer is physically, mentally and emotionally stressed. Constantly exposed to fluctuating temperatures caused by variant weather changes of extreme hot and cold as the ships cross ocean boundaries, not to mention harsh weather conditions, the risks of his getting killed, injured or ill are high.

Led by the Apostleship of the Sea (AOS) Philippines, this year 's NSD theme is "MARINONG PILIPINO: TATAK NG KAHUSAYAN!" with nationwide activities  that include the Memorial at Sea, High Mass, Oratorical/ Art/ Photo Contest, Karaoke challenge, and the Search for Top Ten Outstanding Maritime Students. One of the highlights is the Grand Parade to be participated in by more than 4000 stakeholders from maritime schools, government agencies, manning agencies, training centers, maritime organizations, unions, families and private institutions

Former president Fidel V. Ramos earlier issued on July 9, 1996 Proclamation No. 828 declaring August 18 as National Seafarers Day wherein  the AOS-Philippines was tasked to coordinate with the public and private sector in   activities related to the celebration of said event. The purpose of the Proclamation is to give due recognition to the vital role of Filipino seafarers towards the development of the Philippines as a maritime country. Later,  Proclamation No.1094 was issued in 1997 by President Ramos which moved NSD    to every  last Sunday of September every year. 

The NSD coincides with the National Maritime Week last week of September spearheaded alternatively by the government agencies , to wit Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA), Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), and  Philippine Ports Authority (PPA).

Atty. Dennis R. Gorecho  is a graduate of UP College of Law (1998)  and  is currently a junior partner of Sapalo Velez Bundang Bulilan (SVBB) law offices  who heads the seafarers’ division. He is a  speaker on  nationwide paralegal seminars on  seafarers rights.  He is presently the executive vice president of the Maritime Law Association of the Philippines (MARLAW),  and an active  member of the Maritime Forum Inc. , the National Seafarers Day (NSD) committee and International Pro Bono Network. The SVBB law works hand in hand with various seafarers welfare  organizations such as the Apostleship of the Seas (AOS) Philippines, Luneta Seafarers Welfare Foundation (LUSWELF), International Seafarers Welfare Assistance Network (ISWAN) and United Filipino Seafarers (UFS) . He is a legal commentator on maritime issues on print, radio and TV. A co-anchor of the radio program Bantay OCW Usapang Marino aired over Radio Inquirer/ DZIQ every Wednesday 10:30am to 12noon. For comments, please send  email  at info@sapalovelez.com or call  09175025808/ 09088665786.