Seafarers stranded in Manila plead to return home

Almost 200 Filipino seafarers from Iloilo and Negros Occidental who are stranded in Manila appealed for help from the national government so they can return to their provinces.

According to a 24 Oras report by Chino Gaston on Monday, additional guidelines of their respective local government units on testing and quarantine outside of the Inter-Agency Task Force requirements are allegedly impeding the return of the seafarers.

Rogen Jamelo said they have been stuck in their dormitory for more than a month.

“Hihintayin pa ba nating may mamatay dito, isa dito bago niyo kami pauwiin? Tatay Digong, nandito kami ngayon maawa kayo sa’min, sir,” he said.

Meanwhile, Bryan Jacildo said before he can go back to Bacolod, he was required to undergo quarantine anew and COVID-19 testing despite not exhibiting any symptoms.

“Sabi sa Bacolod na ‘di pa raw sila handang tumanggap ng mga pauwi doon,” he said.

The provincial government added its quarantine facility is already in full capacity.

“Hindi natin inaayawan ang pag-uwi ng ating mga kapatid mula sa ibang lugar. We feel for them. We love them because they are part of the Negrense community and the provincial government has been very consistent to say that our policy in bringing them home is aligned with the national policy,” Jonathan Lobaton, commander of Negros Occidental Provincial Incident Management, said.

Meanwhile, repatriated OFWs in Negros Occidental complained about their living conditions in one of the province’s quarantine facilities.

Aside from folding beds, the seafarers said the facility has no ceiling, the faucet is broken, the water is dirty, and some areas were being flooded.

Overseas Workers Welfare Administration administrator Hans Cacdac said the agency has already spent around P200 million in support of the repatriates during the COVID-19 crisis.

“Ang kahiling-hilingan natin sa mga LGUs so please open your hearts and your minds kasi talaga this is a situation that calls for a humane approach which is to bring our stranded OFWs home,” he said.

Latest data from OWWA showed that around 6,000 repatriates are currently stranded in Metro Manila.

All of the repatriates are being assisted by OWWA, Cacdac said.

He added the P20 billion OWWA fund is still intact. —Ma. Angelica Garcia/LDF, GMA News