Ship manning agencies in the Philippines have submitted a refined proposal to the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) as part of the government’s efforts to craft a national policy aligned with, and reinforcing, existing international structures—rather than introducing parallel or additional layers of regulation in the deployment of seafarers amid the situation in the Middle East.
Titled “Managed Deployment Framework for Filipino Seafarers in High-Risk Areas (HRA) and War-Like Areas (WLA) in the Persian Gulf,” the Joint Ship Manning Group (JMG), together with the Associated Marine Officers’ and Seamen’s Union of the Philippines (AMOSUP), emphasized that national policy is most effective when it aligns with and reinforces existing international structures, rather than introducing parallel or additional regulatory layers.
As such, JMG and AMOSUP said the proposed framework builds on existing obligations under the Maritime Labor Convention (MLC, 2006), as well as recognized industry arrangements such as IBF agreements and maritime insurance mechanisms.
Foremost, JMG and AMOSUP said licensed Philippine manning agencies are the primary accountable entities for verifying and documenting compliance with applicable international requirements prior to deployment.
The framework also establishes a tiered, risk-based system that distinguishes between the presence of risk and the loss of manageability of such risk.
It recognizes the practical and operational constraints affecting crew changes and repatriation, particularly where vessels are unable to transit and where such movements depend on the availability of commercial or chartered air transport.
The proposal also provides the government with a clear, objective, and defensible basis for allowing, restricting, or suspending deployment.
“Our proposal is therefore anchored on a Managed Risk Approach, which does not seek to diminish protection, but rather to ensure that deployment decisions are made based on whether risks remain manageable under existing international safeguards and are knowingly and voluntarily accepted by the seafarer,” the letter added.
In developing the proposal, JMG said it fully recognizes that the risks currently present in the Persian Gulf are real, complex, and driven by geopolitical developments beyond the control of seafarers, shipowners, or any single state. It further noted that Filipino seafarers operate within a highly internationalized system, serving on vessels under foreign flags, managed by global shipping companies, and regulated through established international conventions and industry frameworks.
The proposal was submitted to Atty. Hans Leo J. Cacdac, Secretary of the Department of Migrant Workers, and was signed by JMG President Marlon R. Rono—also chairman of the Joint Manning Group (JMG) and president of the Philippine Japan Manning Consultative Council (PJMCC)—and Dr. Conrado F. Oca, president of the Associated Marine Officers’ and Seamen’s Union of the Philippines (AMOSUP).
It was also signed by Josephine J. Francisco, president of the Filipino Association for Mariners’ Employment, Inc. (FAME); Pedro Miguel F. Oca, president of the Philippine Association of Manning Agencies and Ship Managers (PAMAS); Dario R. Alampay Jr., president of the Filipino Shipowners Association (FSA); and Capt. Juanito G. Salvateirra Jr., president of the International Maritime Association of the Philippines (INTERMAP).
