The Marcos administration is doing everything it can to address and stop the "horrific practices" that Filipino seafarers had to go through, the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) said. *File photo*

Communications Secretary Cheloy Garafil said this in response to an open letter from the United Filipino Seafarers which asked President Marcos to help pass into law the Magna Carta for Filipino Seafarers. In a statement, Garafil said the administration knew what Filipino seafarers were enduring and vowed to address these issues. "The administration is very well aware of the plight and condition of our Filipino seafarers, who are well-known for their competence and skills in the sector," she said. "We know that they are being preyed on and taken advantage of by these unscrupulous individuals for the sake of making a buck," she added. According to the Palace official, the government was doing its best to protect Filipino seafarers and vowed to devise a system to stop the horrific practices against them. "The government is doing all it can to protect and look after the welfare of our seafarers and their families, who ultimately bear the burden of these unscrupulous groups and individuals," Garafil said. "With this in mind, the administration assures the public at large that the entire government system will be working to address and stop these horrific practices that erode the credibility and competence of the seafaring industry in the country," she added. The said open letter came weeks after the European Union (EU) [finally concluded that it would continue to recognize the certificates of the Philippines' world-class sailors](https://mb.com.ph/2023/3/31/eu-concludes-filipino-seafarers-certificates-recognized), citing the country's efforts to improve the system for their training. In a statement, EU Commissioner for Transport Adina Vălean said they appreciated the constructive cooperation of Philippine authorities and welcomed their efforts to improve the system for training and certifying seafarers.