MANILA -- Concerned government agencies presented the working draft of a proposed memorandum of agreement to help address “ambulance chasing” among seafarers. 

Ambulance chasing is described as the unethical practice of soliciting clients for the seafarers to file exorbitant claims against their former employers and demand compensation for alleged injuries or illnesses during employment with the objective of getting a cut in an irregular decision. 

The five agencies, DMW, OWWA, DOLE, NLRC, and National Conciliation and Mediation Board are expected to form a joint task force and assist in the planning, coordination, and implementation of policies to combat ambulance chasers and prosecution of ambulance chasers. 

The DMW, among others, will be tasked to monitor and act upon welfare interventions, the required real-time reports from agencies or principals concerning seafarers who may have suffered an injury, illness or death during the term of their contract onboard and ensure that a medically repatriated seafarer is properly assisted from the airport to the medical facility. 

Under the MOA, DMW will also ensure that the Licensed Manning Agencies (LMA) will provide proper and timely access to medical treatment and sickness allowance, provide financial assistance for medically repatriated seafarers and their families, and assist in providing legal counsel from the Public Attorney's Office or from the Integrated Bar of the Philippines.