In a significant leap forward for maritime labor rights, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) officially inaugurated the Seafarers’ Welfare Center on February 13, 2026. Located at Monarch Parksuites, Aseana Business Park, the center stands as a dedicated sanctuary for the support, empowerment, and protection of Filipino seafarers and their families.
Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo J. Cacdac and OWWA Administrator Patricia Yvonne Caunan led the grand opening. They were joined by distinguished guests, including Rep. Johanne Monich Gongon Bautista, SSS President and CEO Robert Joseph De Claro, and key maritime industry stakeholders.
The establishment of the center aligns with the mandates of Republic Act No. 12021, also known as the Magna Carta of Filipino Seafarers. It is designed to streamline government interventions and provide a holistic environment for those who spend months away at sea. “This welfare center is not just about bringing government services closer; it is about honoring the dignity of our seafarers as directed by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.,” stated OWWA Administrator Caunan.
The facility operates as a comprehensive “one-stop shop,” featuring:
-
Government Essentials: Integrated desks for SSS, Pag-IBIG, and PhilHealth.
-
Legal & Medical Support: On-site legal assistance from the Public Attorney’s Office (PAO) and medical services via the OWWA YAKAP Clinic and Botika.
-
Health & Wellness: The “Love Yourself” booth for sexual health and HIV awareness.
-
Capacity Building: Specialized training facilities for continuous professional development.
-
Leisure & Recreation: Unique spaces such as Migrants’ Brew (coffee shop) and OWWAoke (karaoke) to provide much-needed relaxation for seafarers and their kin.
Secretary Cacdac extended his gratitude to the maritime stakeholders and Congress for their unwavering advocacy. He emphasized that the center is a physical manifestation of the government’s commitment to ensuring no Filipino seafarer is left behind.
“With the Magna Carta as our foundation, we are building better mechanisms to protect our maritime workers,” Cacdac said. “This center is a testament to what we can achieve when the government and private sector sail in the same direction.”
