Coordination with Other Agencies.
Section 18
SEC. 18. Coordination with Other Agencies.—The Authority shall coordinate with the Department of Labor, the Department of Education and Culture and the National Manpower and Youth Council in the exercise of its pertinent functions that have relation to the functions of the above-mentioned agencies, particularly as these pertain to the development of trained and qualified seamen for Philippine vessels. In order to strengthen its coordinative functions, the Authority shall hire and train appropriate technical personnel which may be assigned to other government agencies involved in the implementation of laws, rules and regulations relative to maritime affairs. SEC. 19. Transitory Provision.—Officials and employees of all existing offices or agencies which are abolished or reorganized under this Decree may be absorbed into the Authority on the basis of merit and fitness: Provided, That employees who shall be laid off by reason of this Decree shall be given gratuity equivalent to one month's salary for every year of service but in no case more than twenty-four months salary, in addition to all benefits to which they are entitled under existing laws and regulations. To carry out the provisions of this Section there is hereby appropriated the sum of Five-Hundred Thousand Pesos out of the unappropriated funds in the National Treasury.