Senator Raffy Tulfo stressed the need to have closed circuit television (CCTV) cameras installed in ships boarded by seafarers as a means to expedite solving cases of disappearance among seamen.

Tulfo, who chairs the Senate Committee on Migrant Workers, said that cases of missing seafarers could be addressed quicker if CCTV cameras were installed in critical parts of ships, such as railings, cabin portals, and exit points.

"Gusto ko through the SOLAS convention, i-require lahat ng barko sa buong mundo na may mga seafarers, lagyan natin ng CCTV (Through the SOLAS (Safety of Life at Sea) convention, I want to require all ships around the world with seafarers to be equipped with CCTV)," he said.

During the Senate panel's hearing on Thursday, March 6, Tulfo expressed deep concern over the increasing cases of Filipino seafarers who went missing while on duty.

Tulfo immediately asked Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac for an update regarding the cases of missing seafarers that remain unresolved.

Among them are Ralph Anthony Bobiles, who went missing on December 5, 2024, Jimbo Cadungong, who disappeared on August 31, 2024, and Vincent San Diego, who went missing on June 16, 2023. According to Cacdac, investigations into their disappearances are still ongoing.

Meanwhile, Jeric Bueno, who went missing on February 22, 2025, has had his remains recovered, but the DMW is still awaiting his autopsy report.

Tulfo mentioned that this is the very reason why he plans to attend the next International Convention on the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) by the International Maritime Organization, where he intends to present his recommendations to improve the situation of Filipino seafarers.

Cacdac agreed with Tulfo's proposal on CCTVs yet stated that a different government agency would represent the country in the SOLAS.

“Sa DMW, ang amin, together with the DOLE and the DFA is the Maritime Labor Convention at nandun din po ‘yung susog patungkol sa abandonment of seafarers na nasa Magna Carta rin. So we could gladly provide information as to the next meeting of the Maritime Labor Convention Special Tripartite Committee in Geneva (At the DMW, we, along with the DOLE and the DFA, are involved in the Maritime Labor Convention, which also includes amendments regarding the abandonment of seafarers that are part of the Magna Carta. We would be happy to provide information about the next meeting of the Maritime Labor Convention Special Tripartite Committee in Genev),” Cacdac said.

Tulfo also instructed the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) to require domestic maritime vessels to install CCTV cameras as soon as possible, as it is covered by local laws. MARINA promised to issue a Memorandum Circular on this matter.

Tulfo also discussed during the hearing stricter monitoring mechanisms that involve penal sanctions and preventive measures to ensure the safety and well-being of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs). He recently visited OFWs and personally monitored shelters and offices of the DNW in the Middle East. Tulfo filed Senate Resolution No. 1086 to establish monitoring measures for OFWs.

“OFWs are integral to Philippine economic stability, national social development and their contributions undeniably extend beyond their immediate families, impacting the nation as a whole and strengthening the country's global ties,” Tulfo said.

Meanwhile, he also raised concerns about the increasing cases of seafarers diagnosed with mental disorders, especially considering the difficulty of their jobs and their separation from their families. According to the National Maritime Polytechnic in the Philippines, 189 seafarers were recorded to have mental disorders from 2018 to 2022.

Tulfo proposed ensuring that ships have psychologists or counselors in their clinics who seafarers can approach for guidance if they are experiencing depression or facing problems.

He also recommended that before seafarers depart, they should be provided with emergency medical kits containing over-the-counter medications they can use if they feel depressed or have trouble sleeping.
Cacdac assured that he would immediately act on all the senator's recommendations.