Implementing Rules and Regulations of Republic Act No. 10706 Otherwise Known as the "Seafarers Protection Act"

April 19, 2016DOLE DEPARTMENT ORDER NO. 153-16IMPLEMENTING RULES AND REGULATIONS OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 10706 OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE "SEAFARERS PROTECTION ACT"Pursuant to Section 6 of Republic Act No. 10706, entitled "An Act Protecting Seafarers against Ambulance Chasing and Imposition of Excessive Fees, and Providing Penalties Therefor", otherwise known as the "Seafarers Protection Act", the following Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) are hereby issued: RULE IGeneral ProvisionsSECTION 1. Declaration of Policy. — It shall be the policy of the State to promote and protect every Filipino seafarer desiring to work overseas by securing the best possible terms and conditions of employment. As some unscrupulous individuals have taken advantage of the plight of our seafarers who met an accident, illness or death in the course of their service by exploiting the compensation system, our seafarers have fallen prey to an unfair scheme where ambulance chasers charge exorbitant fees, with promise of huge monetary award. Towards this end, such practice shall be declared unlawful.SECTION 2. Coverage. — These Rules shall apply to all Filipino seafarers, and their...