SUPORTADO ni Senator Cynthia A. Villar ang pagsasabatas ng Senate Bill No. 2369 sa ilalim ng Committee Report No. 289- ang “Magna Carta of Filipino Seafarers,” kasabay ng pagkilala sa mahalagang naiambag nila sa buong mundo sa kabila ng corona virus 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 proteksyon.

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 pandemya 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 nabakunahan 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.” (ESTONG REYES)