DMW-ADVISORY-50-2026 — Reiteration of protective measures for Filipino seafarers affected by the security situation in the northern black sea

Republic of the Philippines Bepartment of Aligrant Morkers

Blas F.Ople Building,Ortigas Avenue cor.EDSA,Mandaluyong City 1550 JANANNG OFY Websitewww.dmw.gov.ph I Emaii; feedbackindmw.gov.ph IHotline 8722.11 22 1155.88221159.87243669 BAGONG PILIPINA

ADVISORY NO. 5 0

Series of 2026

REITERATION OF PROTECTIVE MEASURES FOR FILIPINO SEAFARERS AFFECTED BY THE SECURITY SITUATION IN THE NORTHERN BLACK SEA

Pursuant to Republic Act No.11641 Department of Migrant Workers Act Republic Act No.8042,as amended by Republic Act No.10022,and the 2026 DMW Seabased Rules, which mandate the protection of Overseas Filipino Workers particularly during armed conflicts, hostilities, and other situations that endanger their life, safety, health, and welfare;

Considering that the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) continues to maintair Crisis Alert Level 4 (Mandatory Repatriation) over Ukraine due to the ongoing armed conflict;

International Transport Workers' Federation (ITF) continue to designate the Northern Black Sea as a High-Risk Area (HRA) and Warlike Operations Area (WOA) due to Considering further that the International Bargaining Forum (IBF) and the

persistent hostilities and threats to commercial shipping thereat;

vessels operating within or near the Northern Black Sea, resulting in the deaths and Considering, moreover, the continued occurrence of attacks on commercial

injuries of Filipino seafarers and exposing other Filipino crew members to serious and imminent danger;

in view of the foregoing, and consistent with the State policy of affording full

Department hereby reiterates and reinforces the following directives: protection to labor and ensuring the welfare of Overseas Filipino Workers, the

I.Coverage

This Advisory shall apply to:

b. Accredited foreign principals, employers, and shipowners employing Filipino a. Licensed Manning Agencies (LMAs)

seafarers c. Masters of vessels, insofar as coordination with the principal or employer is

concerned; d. Filipino seafarers currently onboard affected vessels; and e.Filipino seafarers scheduled for deployment to vessels intending to operate in

transit, or call at ports within the Northern Black Sea,as identified in the map attached as Annex "A", consistent with the IBF-ITF designation of the area.

DEPARTMENT oF MIGRNothingrin this Advisory shall be construed as regulating the navigation of ves

I CA mioirtTitinitingithe Master's overriding authority over the safe navigation and operation a

Date:July 31,2026 RECEIVED By:RICHIE M. GUEVARRA Time: 11:50 AM By:DMW General Services Division on July 31,2026 CONTROLLED AND DISSEMINATED

ship under applicable international maritime conventions. These directives are issued solely in the exercise of the Department's authority to regulate the deployment and ensure the protection and welfare of Filipino seafarers. The Department expects shipowners and employers to prioritize the preservation of life and the safety of Filipino seafarers over commercial considerations.

Il. Immediate Repatriation of Filipino Seafarers from Attacked Vessels

Shipowners, through their accredited principals and LMAs, are hereby directed to immediately undertake all necessary measures for the prompt and safe repatriation of Filipino seafarers from the vessels that have been attacked or reasonably determined by competent maritime authorities or the Department to have been subjected to hostile acts

Specifically, they shall ensure:

1. the immediate repatriation of the remaining unharmed Filipino seafarers; 2. the dignified repatriation of the human remains of the deceased Filipino

seafarers in accordance with applicable laws, international conventions, and the wishes of the next of kin; and 3. the prompt medical evacuation and treatment of injured Filipino seafarers at the

earliest safe opportunity, consistent with medical advice, operational conditions, and applicable maritime safety requirements, and ensure their subsequent repatriation as soon as they are medically cleared for travel by the attending medical authorities.

The costs of repatriation, medical treatment, and other obligations arising from the employment contract,applicable laws, and international maritime standards shall remain the responsibility of the employer or shipowner, without prejudice to any additional benefits to which the affected seafarers or their beneficiaries may be entitled.

IlI. Immediate Relocation of Filipino Seafarers from Vessels Exposed to Security

Risks

Filipino seafarers that have not been attacked but remain operating within or exposed to The accredited principals, employers, shipowners, and LMAs of vessels carrying

the prevailing security risks in the Northern Black Sea shall, in coordination with the Master, take all reasonable measures, consistent with navigational safety, the Master's overriding authority for the safe navigation and operation of the vessel, applicable international maritime conventions, and prevailing security conditions, to facilitate the earliest safe disembarkation or relocation of affected Filipino seafarers to a safe port or other safer location whenever operationally feasible and at the earliest practicable opportunity.

The LMA's designated Seafarers Welfare and Case Management Officer (SWACO shall submit periodic reports to the Department indicating the names of the affected seafarers, their current location, where known, their health condition, the assistance rendered, and updates on the relocation or repatriation efforts undertaken.

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IV.Temporary Avoidance of Northern Black Sea Ports

Pending further assessment of the prevailing security conditions, all accredited principals,employers,shipowners,and LMAs with vessels carrying Filipino seafarers are hereby directed to temporarily refrain from deploying or assigning Filipino seafarers to vessels intended to proceed to, transit,or call at ports within the Northern Black Sea.

V. Mandatory Reporting

submit to the Department through the designated Within twenty-four (24) hours from the effectivity of this Advisory, all LMAs shall email address [email protected] and the OFW Welfare Monitoring System (OWMS):

1. the list of Filipino seafarers affected by this Advisory; 2.the status of repatriation or relocation efforts 3. the present location and condition of each affected Filipino seafarer; and 4. the measures undertaken by the principal or shipowner to comply with this Advisory. Updates shall thereafter be submitted as may be required by the Department until full compliance has been achieved.

Vi. Seafarers'Employment and Contractual Rights

termination, blacklisting, reduction of benefits, or other adverse employment action solely No Filipino seafarer covered by this Advisory shall be subjected to retaliation

by reason of compliance with this Advisory.

Nothing in this Advisory shall be construed to diminish or waive any rights. benefits, compensation, insurance coverage, repatriation entitlements, or other protections available to Filipino seafarers under their employment contracts, applicable collective bargaining agreements,Republic Act No.8042,Republic Act No.11641,the 2026 DMW Seabased Rules,or applicable international maritime conventions.

Vll.Periodic Review

Considering the evolving security situation, the directives under of this Advisory shall be subject to review every fifteen 15 days, or earlier when circumstances so warrant, based on security assessments, reports from relevant Philippine government agencies, and other competent international maritime authorities.

The Department, after consultation with the DFA, relevant stakeholders,may modify,extend,suspend, or lift these measures,whenever warranted by developments affecting the safety and welfare of Filipino seafarers.

VilI. Non-Compliance.

Failure to comply with this Advisory may constitute sufficient ground for the Department to institute appropriate administrative proceedings and to impose sanctions

der Republic Act No.11641, the 2026 DMW Seabased Rules,and other applicable

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laws, rules, and regulations, without prejudice to any civil or criminal liability under existing laws.

IX. Force Majeure

Compliance with this Advisory shall be undertaken to the fullest extent that is reasonably practicable, considering force majeure, navigational safety, military/security restrictions, port accessibility,and circumstances beyond the reasonable control of the Master, shipowner,or employer.

X. Impact on Existing Issuances

This Advisory shall supplement existing Department issuances governing the deployment, protection, and welfare of Filipino seafarers assigned to conflict-affected, warlike, or high-risk maritime areas. In the event of any inconsistency, the provision affording greater protection to Filipino seafarers shall prevail, to the extent permitted by applicable law.

XI. Effectivity

This Advisory shall take effect immediately upon issuance unless earlier amended, superseded revoked, or extended by the Department, taking into consideration developments in the security situation, the prevailing DFA Alert level, and the latest IBF List of Designated Risk Areas.

Issued this _3 1 July 2026, at Mandaluyong City, Philippines.

FELICITAS Q.B

Officer-in-Chalde Office of the Secretary

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Chart 3: IBF Warlike Operations Area (WOA)-Sea of Azov and the Strait of Kerch; ANNEX A

IBF Warlike Operations Area (WOA)-Northern Black Sea Region IBF High Risk AreaHRA-Black Sea

Operations Area Warlike MARMARA DENTT BLACK SEA YCLH S

WARLIKE AREA WARLIKE AREA SEA OF AZOV

HIGH RISK AREA

High Risk Area

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