TO:	THE MINISTER OF LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES WELFARE FUND FOR OVERSEAS WORKERS (WELFUND)

WHEREAS, the Seafarers portion of the WELFUND, was established for the protection and welfare of Filipino seamen employed overseas in recognition  of  their valuable contribution to the national development  effort;

WHEREAS, one of the broad programs of the WELFUND is the development, financing  and provision of support to specific projects for the benefit of Filipino  seamen;

WHEREAS, due to the risks involved in the seafaring, job, death usually comes at a time least expected;

WHEREAS, there is a clamor from the seafarers to set up more welfare schemes utilizing  the Seafarers portion of the WELFUND;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, FERDINAND E. MARCOS, President of the Republic of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by the Constitution, do hereby direct as follows:

1. The WELFUND shall pay to the beneficiaries of every deceased seaman who has been a bona-fide member of the Fund the sum of P5,000 for burial  expenses.
   
   
2. The payment of such burial expenses shall be without prejudice and in addition, to such other benefits that  the deceased seaman may be entitled by virtue of law, contract or employer policy.

DONE in the City of Manila, this 1st day of May, in the year of our Lord, nineteen hundred and eighty-two.