DMW · Department Circular · DC No. 06, s. 2026

2026 Rules and Regulations Governing the Recruitment and Employment of Seabased Overseas Filipino Workers

What changed: The new master rulebook for sea-based recruitment and deployment, replacing the 2016 POEA framework. Implements RA 11641 (DMW charter) and RA 12021 (Magna Carta of Filipino Seafarers). Tightens agency and principal accountability, including onboard living conditions and rest hours of no less than 10 hours in any 24-hour period.
Who is affected: Seafarers; Manning agencies; Principals
What action may be required: Agencies and principals should read the official circular before processing 2026 contracts.
Effective date: 2 July 2026 (2026-07-02)
Legal status (derived): in-force. An overdue review does not mean the instrument is invalid.
Verification: unverified. Last verified: not recorded. Next review: not scheduled.
Official source: https://dmw.gov.ph/resources/issuances/department-circulars/2026-dmw-rules-and-regulations-governing-the-recruitment-and-employment-of-seabased-overseas-filipino-workers-which-shall-take-effect-on-2-july-2026
Limitations: Plain-language summary only. Binding text is the official circular. Eagle has not stamped a verification date on this row.
Change history: Supersedes poea-2016-rules

Citation

DMW, 2026 Rules and Regulations Governing the Recruitment and Employment of Seabased Overseas Filipino Workers (DC No. 06, s. 2026). Official: https://dmw.gov.ph/resources/issuances/department-circulars/2026-dmw-rules-and-regulations-governing-the-recruitment-and-employment-of-seabased-overseas-filipino-workers-which-shall-take-effect-on-2-july-2026. Eagle record https://eagleintelmari.com/registry/dmw-dc-06-2026. Verification date: none on file.

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