Measures to protect Filipino seafarers must evolve alongside technological advances and rising geopolitical risks confronting the global maritime industry, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. said Wednesday.

Speaking at the Philippine Maritime Convention (PhilMarCon) 2026, Marcos said the maritime sector is undergoing profound changes as new technologies transform ship operations and digitalization changes the skills required of seafarers.

“The way we prepare and protect our seafarers must evolve with the world they sail in,” Marcos said.

He said Filipino seafarers are also increasingly exposed to risks beyond their control, including armed conflicts, geopolitical tensions, attacks and other security incidents.

“Our seafarers have found themselves caught in armed conflicts, geopolitical tensions, attacks, and other security incidents they did not create and in which they had no part,” Marcos said.

Some seafarers have been injured while others have lost their lives in the line of duty, the President said, stressing the need for stronger systems to protect maritime workers.

“In moments like this, we are reminded that no maritime industry can truly be sustainable if the people who keep it moving are left vulnerable,” Marcos said.

He said the government has been strengthening systems for seafarer protection and support, including compliance with the Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers Convention and Code.

This year, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) also signed the 2026 DMW Sea-Based Rules and updated Standard Employment Contracts for Overseas Filipino Seafarers to enhance their protection and accountability.

The government, likewise, established a dedicated Seafarers’ Welfare Center providing welfare, training, healthcare, and legal support to Filipino seafarers and their families.

As security risks intensify in war-risk areas, the DMW and Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) have heightened safeguards for seafarers and strengthened emergency repatriation capabilities, Marcos said.

He added that the government’s Full-Cycle National Reintegration Program continues to support seafarers after they return to the country, providing livelihood, wellness, financial literacy, and other assistance based on their needs and skills.

The President noted that Filipinos account for nearly one in every five deployed seafarers worldwide, making the Philippines the world’s leading seafarer-supplying country.

“Let us ensure that every Filipino that sails under the Philippine flag, or represents the Philippines aboard an international vessel, carries the confidence that their country stands behind them,” Marcos said. (PNA)