THE first batch of the 400 Filipino crewmen of the ill-fated Costa Concordia luxury cruise vessel came home on Thursday onboard the Cathay Pacific and Thai Airways flights from Rome, Italy. The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) promptly announced they would be given a stress management and counseling.

Labor (DOLE) Spokesman Nicon Fameronag said, “OWWA is obliged to provide counseling or stress debriefing among the seafarers so they can recover fast from the traumatic experience.”

Philippine Ambassador to Italy Virgilio Reyes Jr. assisted the 108 Filipino crewmen as they boarded their flights at Fiumicino Airport in Rome. 

Executive Director for Migrant Workers Affairs Ricardo Endaya and Special Assistant Enrico Fos, both of the foreign office, and representatives from the Office of the Vice President, the DOLE and the OWWA, welcomed the returning Filipinos at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 1 (Naia 1).

On January 20, another 50 more Filipino crewmen will arrive at 9:50 a.m. and 1:20 p.m. through Flight CX 907 and Flight PR 301, respectively.

On January 21, 78 others will arrive via Flights CX901, CX907, SQ365, SQ912 and SQ910.

Costa Crociere S.p.A, the company that owns the cruise ship, assured the Philippine Embassy’s Emergency Response Team that it will give full compensation to the Filipinos, refund their lost belongings, replace their lost cash and issue a formal letter of undertaking detailing the company’s firm commitment.  

Fameronag said there is no problem on the rehiring of the Filipino crewmen because the manning agencies, the Magsaysay Maritime Corporation and CTI Ocean Crew, would help find them another cruise ship for employment.