A party-list lawmaker on Thursday called on the Department of Health to investigate the additional P1,040 medical examination fee that is being imposed on Filipino seafarers who will work aboard Panamanian registered vessels.
Rep. John Bertiz III of ACTS OFW Party-list disclosed that the Panama Maritime Authority is now charging an additional USD 20 or P1,040 for every Filipino seafarer who will secure a Panamanian Medical Certificate, which is a pre-requisite to the hiring and deployment of seafarers.
“I enjoin the DoH and other agencies to look closely into the new PMA directive and make sure that this is not another blatant attempt by businessmen and their cohorts to earn from the hard work and sacrifices of our seafarers,” Bertiz said.
In its Note No. ADM-0736-2018-DGGM-ALM sent to manning agencies, accredited doctors, and ship owners, the PMA announced that the charges will be for the maintenance of an online database of the medical records of all Filipino seafarers. The new fees were imposed starting May 21, 2018.
Bertiz pointed out that USD 15 (or P780) will go to an undisclosed “online broker” who will set up and maintain the online database. The remaining USD 5 (or P260) will go to the Panama Embassy in the Philippines. Bertiz said that the “broker” is set to earn an estimated amount of P234,000,000 per year. On the other hand, the Panama Embassy in the Philippines will make P78,000,000 annually.
“I want to know if this new scheme had the stamp of approval from the DoH, the DFA, and other concerned agencies. If yes, these agencies have to start evaluating their priorities since they might be more concerned with lining the pockets of businessmen rather than protecting the interests of our workers,” Bertiz said.
“If the new fees were imposed without consulting or getting the approval of these agencies and if these are in conflict with our laws and regulations, we must take urgent steps to stop the imposition of these new fees.”
Bertiz also denounced the fees as “discriminatory” since it only applies to Filipino seafarers.
“I am concerned that Filipino seafarers are being singled out by the new fees. Why is it not being imposed on seafarers of other nationalities? This violates the non-discrimination clauses present in almost all international conventions governing the rights of migrant workers,” Bertiz stated.
There are an estimated 300,000 Filipino seafarers registered annually with the Panama authority who undergo medical examination at least once a year.
