TIM eMagazine Vol.4 Issue 1
ANGKLA: A Total Commitment
for The Seafarers Sector
Congressman Jesulito ‘Jess’
Manalo of ANGKLA Partylist
S
everal factors have made Filipino seafarers among the most sought-after in the
world. Credit this perhaps to their dedication in doing their best in their tasks,
their know-how of the English language, and their adaptability to newer, more
innovative training methods that make them among the most competitive of their
kind in the global shipping industry.
Not to mention, our seafarers are an invaluable asset to our economy; they
contribute to our coffers an impressive P6 billion in remittances annually! This
alone represents nearly one-fourth of aggregate OFW remittances.
But beneath all their positive assets, there are also instances when our seafarers
encounter dilemmas in their profession; these include abuse from employers, cases of fatalities,
unscrupulous fees, lack of safety standards, and much, much more.
Still, a lot can be done that can ease the plight of our hardworking seafarers while at the same
time, uplifting their well-being (both personal and professional) while keeping up with standards
that make them among the most competitive in the global maritime sector.
And this is where ANGKLA Partylist steps aboard.
A brainchild of Congressman Jesulito ‘Jess’ Manalo, himself a son of a ship captain and with an
extensive background and strong legal knowledge in the maritime industry, ANGKLA (which dubs
itself as ‘Ang Partido ng Mga Pilipinong Pilipino) was founded in 2011. Fueled by a commitment
to protect seafarers’ rights and to advocate and put to function relevant reforms in the seafaring
industry, ANGKLA prides itself in being the sole party-list representation in
Congress. It is also the only party-list in the country with so many achievements in
so short a span of time! Its stellar record is also underscored by its vow to do more
action and almost no talk, which has resulted in several milestones that no other
party-list has done for their respective sectors.
High on the list of ANGKLA’s milestones were the passing of not just one, but
five notable laws, namely: RA 10635, Creation of Single Maritime Administration,
which ensures that the knowledge, training, and certification of Filipino seafarers
are compliant with global standards and requirements; RA 10668, Foreign Ships
Co-loading Act, which implements a more effective and less expensive inter-island
shipping of goods; RA 10698 - Naval Architecture Modernization Law, further
developing shipbuilding and ship repair in the Philippines, as another potential
source of employment opportunities; RA 10706, Seafarers’ Protection Act, which
provides full protection of Filipino seafarers against unconscionable legal fees
pertaining to their claims against death, occupational hazards and illnesses; and RA
10963 (HB 458 & 1026) Tax Reform for Acceleration program, reducing the estate
and donor’s tax to 6% from the original 20 percent and 30 percent.
In addition, ANGKLA has achieved several accomplishments that have eased
the plight of our seafarers through investigations and probes that have led to
positive actions and resolutions filed in the end. These include: the repatriation
of four seafarers who were unjustly detained in Argentina; a legislative inquiry on
the eight missing Filipino seafarers onboard the M/T Rokku Maru through HR 264,
which culminated in enabling families of the missing seafarers file for declarations
of absence to process their claims; HRs 706 & 707, investigating the sinking of the
M/V Starlite; HR 1485, investigating on the reported anomalies in the issuance of
OECs by PEOA; HR 1611 investigating the capsizing of M/V Mercraft 3; HR 1652
investigating the continued confiscation of OFW passports by foreign principals;
HR 1749, investigating the alleged data breach of POEA; HR 1750, investigating
whether POEA properly implemented Section 4 of the Migrant Worker’s Act by
deploying OFWs only in countries that protect their rights; HR 1796, investigating
the safety of Plaridel Airport in light of the plane crash involving a Piper PA-23
Apache Airplane; and HR 1829, investigating the diplomatic row with Kuwait.
To streamline the processing of certifications and identification documents
for seafarers and to provide them with more convenience for taking their exams
right within their reach instead of having to go all the way to Manila, ANGKLA
has partnered with MARINA in the construction and inauguration of Regional
Maritime Centres in fast-growing Visayan cities of Iloilo, Bacolod and Cebu with
their numerous maritime professional graduates. These truly bore fruition, thanks
to ANGKLA’s efforts and dedication in providing the best services our seafarers
deserve, resulting in the allocation of P60 Million for each MARINA regional
processing centre, or a total of P180 Million, from the Department of Public Works
and Highways (DPWH). These centres are part of ANGKLA’s thrust in teaming up
with MARINA to enhance more accessible processing services for the potentially
growing seafarer base in various parts of the country. Other Regional Maritime
Centres are in the drawing board in other parts of the country such as Luzon and
Mindanao.
Another achievement of the ANGKLA-MARINA partnership is the Seaman’s
Identification and Record Book, where this party-list infused P130 million from
MARINA’s budget to ensure that the Seafarers Identity Document (SID) it issues
will be ILO-compliant. ANGKLA has also facilitated in the construction of the new
headquarters of MARINA along Roxas Boulevard in Pasay City which is worth P400
million.
Though the list of projects and programs between MARINA and ANGKLA
may go on, what is very reassuring is that both entities keep the lines of
communications always open, where both discuss, formulate and put into
action short and medium-term programs that benefit the welfare, well-being,
competitiveness and esteem of our hardworking seafarers.
ANGKLA’s forte of concern, hard work and vision also extend beyond the
confines of the seafaring sector. This is why it has also participated in the passage
of national bills that benefit also our OFWs, which include: HB 4397 – PAGASA
Modernization Act; HB 4970 – Increase in tax ceiling of 13th Month Pay; HB 2190
– Surrogate Parents of OFWs; HB 2464 – Inclusion of Basic Financial Management
and Entrepreneurship in Elementary and High School Curriculum; HB 2579 – OFW
Family Help Desks; HB 3070 – OFW Dependents Educational Scholarship Act; HB
3071 – Foreign Remittance Regulatory Commission Act HB 3575 – Ladderized
Education Act; HB 4629 – Magna Carta of the Poor; HB 4990 - OWWA Act; and, HB
5388 – Balik Scientist Program.
As the Philippines continues to remain a maritime nation, thanks to our
seafarers as well as an emerging shipbuilding industry and growing trade
movements between the country and booming member ASEAN and Asia-Pacific
countries as well as other emerging markets globally, there is that need for
our country to develop and improve all aspects of our maritime industry, from
infrastructure development and support services through personnel training
and education. This is very precise in the light of growing competition from other
countries which have their own supply of seafarers to be.
Yet the Philippines, given all the plus points that our seafarers possess, can still
maintain our competitive edge that will make our hardworking men and women
who sail those seas among the most esteemed in the world. Plus, all the support it
deserves from our hardworking government.
Indeed, let us also be thankful for all the hard work, total commitment, and
dedication of ANGKLA Party-List that has truly won the hearts and minds of our
seafarers—and continues to do so that benefit their loved ones as well, and our
country’s competitive spirit in the long run.
http://angklapartylist.org/
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