The Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) supports the policy by the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) on refusal to sail in warzone or high-risk areas.

MARINA Administrator Sonia Malaluan expressed her support for seafarers invoking government’s policy on refusal to sail in warzone and high risks areas during the “Iba Ang May Alam! Forum on Seafarers Welfare” held at The Gallery, Rizal Park in Manila on 25 June 2024. The said event is part of the celebration of the Day of the Seafarers, as well as the 10th Anniversary of The Mission to Seafarers- Philippines.

Malaluan served as one of the panelists in the forum, and she stated that no value or money can replace a life of a seafarer. She also emphasized in the panel discussion that safety is non-negotiable. Seafarers are reminded to implement the safety management system on board, ensure that they wear the proper personal protective equipment (PPE), when necessary and always follow safety rules. She said that ensuring seafarers onboard are medically fit is not considered as discrimination. She also promotes the initiatives of MARINA particularly in digitalization which aims to streamline frontline services and appeals to seafarers to always follow the safety and security rules on board ships.

The other panelists in the forum were ITF inspector C/E Arvin Ivan Peralta, Atty. Alexis Ragonhon of AMOSUP, Ms. Abby Gallano of Pandiman and Capt. Ceferino Leal Jr. of ALMA-Westminster Seafarer Management Philippines, Inc.