Distressed Pinoy fishers, seamen in Hawaii feted on Seafarer's Day

Some 40 "distressed" Filipino fishermen and seafarers docked at Honolulu's Pier 37 were feted earlier this month as part of the celebration of National Seafarer's Day. The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said the event was held on June 18, a week before Filipino Seafarer's Day on June 25. President Benigno Aquino III recently signed Presidential Proclamation 183 which declared June 25th of every year as Filipino Seafarers Day. According to the DFA, "most of these Filipinos do not have entry visas to the United States and are constrained to remain within the vicinity of the pier, and are subjected to strict monitoring by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) authorities." The DFA said the Philippine Consulate, together with Filipino-owned companies in Hawaii, regularly arrange get-together activities with these Filipino workers. The get-togethers aim to determine the seafarers' working and living conditions and to bring them needed consular services. - VVP, GMA News