Are you mates prepared for joining under this new normal? It is quite difficult and you need to be proactive in order to gather various requirements. As the Philippines has one of the strictest travel policies amidst COVID-19, OFWs of all kinds of industries struggle to depart the country.
Just few weeks ago, the possibility of OFWs to depart the country (except healthcare workers) has given the green light. However, crewing managers found out just how hard it is to send seafarers to their joining port as other countries has their own requirements also.
This blog talks about the possible challenges that one might encounter on the way to his or her joining port.
Travel Requirements
As for crossing borders with other regions, you need to have these four requirements with you:
- Travel Authority – can be acquired from your local government unit (LGU).
- Medical Certificate to Travel – check out your city or municipal health office on how to acquire this.
- IDs – bring valid IDs to the airport or seaport terminal (standard requirement for every travel)
- Confirmed airline/ship tickets – standard requirement for every travel.
Further requirements may be asked including:
- Certificate of Employment
- Company ID
- Appointment Confirmation
Place to Stay in Manila
We are required to be on the point of hire preferably days before our flight outside the country. The problem is the place we used to stay in does not the same place anymore.
Each barangay/seaman’s house/dormitel has possibly has its own entry requirements for those mates coming from the provinces. One must confirm first before going there to avoid unnecessary travel and possibly, discriminaton.
Note that hotels are in minimal capacity and if ever you can check in, the price is sky high.
The possibility of you being stranded in Manila must also be considered. As crewing managers scrambles to book available flights to your joining port, it may cause delays due to the limited airline availability and capacity.
Documents Processing
As MARINA and other government agency slowly getting back to work under the new normal, you can also start processing what you need to do.
It is best if you are in the province while doing that to lessen the cost and risk of travel.
If your medical certificate has breached the 90 day window for deployment, POEA has said verbally that they are allowing seafarers to depart the country.
That is not allowed prior the COVID-19 strikes the world and now, they are considering it.
Some of our mates may need to travel to Manila or Cebu in order to finish their medical exams. This is due to the reason that some of the clinics and medical centers in the provinces are not accredited by the P&I club of some shipowners and principals.
Thus, the need to have medical exams in the clinics and medical centers are pretty much the standard still.
So, with all that in mind, are you prepared to join under the new normal? It is important that you are proactive and ask your office if ever you have questions.
Help yourself and stay safe.
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