Different government and non-government organizations has stepped in to help those who are affected by the enhanced community quarantine. One of the badly affected are the seafarers who are left stranded in different places in Metro Manila.
They have nowhere to go, kept paying on rent and on food. However, there are news of good samaritans who willingly helped our mates in distress.
Help from MARINO Partylist
The MARINO Partylist in particular helps some of our mates in seafarer houses around the metro.
It includes our mates who are arriving or at stuck at the airport.
Above all these initiatives, the partylist representative also appeals to manning agencies to provide assistance to their seafarers in Manila.
If you have any concerns, questions or seek assistance, don’t hesitate to message MARINO Partylist on their social media channels.
MARINA’s Action
On the other hand, MARINA joins forces with manning agencies to extend help to our mates in Manila.
On March 26, 2020, MARINA published the Advisory 2020-22 which addresses all manning/shipping agencies, operators and seafarers to join, coordinate and to extend all possible assistance to seafarers affected by the ECQ.
Thus, pushing the agencies to submit a status report for their seafarers who are affected by the ECQ.
In addition to above, an online survey is ready to gather data from various seafarers regardless of location.
Above is a survey basically to help authorities gather data and distribute help accordingly.
Assistance from OWWA
The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) likewise provide assistance to our mates. Among them are from ill-stricken cruise ships.
They are part of almost 10,000 seafarers displaced by COVID-19 pandemic according to one report.
Aside from that, OWWA also serves regular “hatid-sundo” service from NAIA Terminals to various locations with the coordination with DoTr.
Lastly, in regards to financial assistance from OWWA, know from the administrator himself:
Maghintay lang po ng guidelines patungkol sa financial assistance sa displaced OFWs.
— hans leo j. cacdac (@HansLeoCacdac) March 27, 2020