Marine authorities facilitated the arrival of approximately 1,000 Filipino crewmembers aboard the MV Norwegian Encore at the Port of Manila over the weekend.
The repatriated Filipino sailors underwent a profiling by the Ministry of Health (DOH) after the vessel docked in port on Sunday 11 April last, Port Manager Eligio P. Fortajada of Port Management Office (PMO) NCR-South said.
They will also undergo mandatory quarantine and testing protocols established by the national government prior to disembarkation. The vessel itself will serve as a quarantine facility under the strict supervision of the Office of Quarantine (BOQ).
Elements of the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA), the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) helped Filipino mariners to pass through the One-Stop-Shop (OSS) for mariners.
In accordance with the government’s crew change protocol, the seafarers shall undergo swab testing on the sixth day of their quarantine proper, to be handled by the PCG and the First Aide Molecular Laboratory. Doctors and nurses, all under the supervision of the BOQ, will be present to assist the sailors.
Expenses related to swab testing will be funded by the Bayanihan to Recover as One Act, also known as the Republic Act (RA) 11494.
Under this law, the Philippine government allotted P270 million for the free reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) testing of returning Filipino seafarers as a way to alleviate the negative impact of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic to the seafaring industry.
OSS member agencies have assured the public that health and safety protocols would be rigorously followed to deal with the threat of COVID-19.
