PRESS RELEASE
WDC-77-2024
30 September 2024
Embassy Press and Information Section
The Migrant Workers Office and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (MWO-OWWA) of the Philippine Embassy in Washington, DC, conducted a virtual Pre-Departure Orientation Seminar (PDOS) on September 30, 2024 for 228 Filipino seafarers joining cruise and cargo ships plying the territorial waters of the United States.
Labor Attaché Saul De Vries said that the PDOS was held as part of the annual celebration of Filipino National Seafarers’ Day (NSD), which is commemorated every last Sunday of September by virtue of Proclamation Nos. 828 and 1094 issued by former president Fidel V. Ramos in 1996 and 1997, respectively. This year marks the 29th NSD with the theme “Marinong Filipino: Ligtas na Paglalayag!”.
The PDOS participants were oriented on the rights and duties of Filipino seafarers under the newly enacted Magna Carta of Seafarers, which was signed by President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. on September 23, 2024. The magna carta provides the framework on the right and welfare of seafarers. Information on OWWA social benefits and programs for seafarers and their families were likewise provided.
Also discussed during the PDOS were the issues of child pornography, drug trafficking and jumping ship. “It is important that our seafarers are educated on these issues as they have tremendous implications to their life, liberty and livelihood. We needed to tell them that those found involved in child pornography and drug trafficking offenses are subjected to long prison terms and hefty fines, while those who jumped ship are deported and barred from re-entry to the United States”, De Vries said.
Meanwhile, Welfare Officer Mae Codilla said that the PDOS was the first ever to be conducted by the MWO-OWWA. It was planned in partnership with licensed manning agencies that included the Magsaysay Maritime Agency, CF Sharp Crew Management Inc., Multinational Ship Management and RCCL Crew Management Inc. ###