MANILA, Sept. 1 -- The Philippines, through the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), takes the lead in advancing the protection of the rights and welfare of seafarers as it hosts the first International Conference on Seafarers' Human Rights, Safety, and Well-being in Manila.

During the opening of the event in Pasay City on Monday, DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro underscored the significance of the Philippines hosting the event, as the country is considered the world's largest provider of seafarers.

"For centuries, seafarers have been the unsung and unseen heroes of global trade, plying the seas amidst treacherous waters, pushing the boundaries of human imagination and exploration, and the driving force behind humanity's prosperity and ...