Gov’t extends financial aid to kin of 2 dead crew of ill-fated M/V Devon Bay

The Philippine government will provide financial assistance to the families of the two seafarers who died after M/V Devon Bay capsized near Scarborough Shoal in the West Philippine Sea, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) said Tuesday. 

Both the DMW and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) will extend financial aid to the families. 

“Ganoon din po sa namatay na seafarers, kahapon po sila ay may funeral arrangement and eventually they will be entitled to their death benefits,” said DMW officer-in-charge Felicitas Bay in “Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon.” 

(Likewise, regarding the deceased seafarers, their funeral arrangements were made yesterday, and eventually, they will be entitled to their death benefits.) 

“Mayroon tayong ipagkakaloob na AKSYON Fund from the end of DMW na financial assistance doon sa next of kin or immediate family member nung dalawang namatay,” she added. “Ganun din po, may proseso for the OWWA death benefits at iba pa rin po ang death benefits at entitlement nung seafarers in accordance with the contract or if there is a collective bargaining agreement.” 

(On the part of the DMW, we will be providing financial assistance from the AKSYON Fund to the next of kin or the immediate family members of the two who passed away. Similarly, there is a process for OWWA death benefits, which is separate from the death benefits and entitlements the seafarers are due in accordance with their contracts or any existing collective bargaining agreements.) 

The 15 survivors and the bodies of the two fatalities arrived in Manila on Monday morning. They were on board the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) vessel BRP Teresa Magbanua which docked at Pier 13 in the Port Area.

The DMW said that the survivors will also receive financial aid as well as psychological counseling. 

“Sila po ay bibigyan ng financial assistance ng DMW at OWWA. Ito ay maliban doon sa assistance na matatanggap mula sa kanilang ahensya,” said Bay. 

(They will be provided with financial assistance by the DMW and OWWA. This is in addition to the assistance they will receive from their respective agencies.) 

The Singaporean-flagged general cargo vessel M/V Devon Bay with a 21 all-Filipino crew encountered a maritime incident while en route to Yangjiang, China from Gutalac, Zamboanga del Sur, the PCG said. —AOL, GMA Integrated News