The deployment of Filipino seafarers is back to normal following a significant decline last March because of the travel restrictions caused by Covid-19 pandemic.
During a Senate hearing on Thursday, the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) said over 136,000 Filipino sailors were able to board ships traveling international waters in the last three months.
POEA administrator Bernard P. Olalia attributed it to the joint circular signed by member of the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases) establishing the “green lane” in the country last July.
The scheme, which was the first in Asia, allowed the swift and safe disembarkation and crew change in a designated local port.
Improved figures
Olalia said the scheme benefitted not only Filipino crew of ships, but also those of other nationalities.
“Because of the joint circular signed by the interagency establishing a green lane. Philippines is now being considered as a crew change hub,” Olalia said.
On July, POEA chief said they were able to deploy 49,850 seafarers on July.
It furthered increased on Aug, (40,726) and Sept. (46,049).
In contrast, deployment of seafarers dropped to a record low 597 on April amid the local lockdown and travel restrictions in their destination countries.
POEA registered slight improvement on May (1,000) and on June (24,000).
Matter of time
Since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) administrator Hans Cacdac said over 80,000 Filipino seafarers were repatriated.
However, he pointed out the displacement of the said seafarers, particularly those employed by cruise ships, is only temporary since their employers have indicated their willingness to rehire them once the travel situation worldwide starts to normalize.
“So it is question of what they could to make themselves productive while awaiting for the return of cruise ship operations,” Cacdac said.
Upon their arrival, the seafarers were given financial aid and extended livelihood aid if they are interested, according to Cacdac.
1 comment
Just want to ask, where the photo was taken? This image includes mine and my colleagues way back in 2009. 😀