123 Filipino seafarers from Spain arrive at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Thursday night. Photo courtesy of DFA Office of the Undersecretary for Migrant Workers’ Affairs (OUMWA)
“All 123 Filipinos underwent the appropriate medical protocols as required by the Department of Health and Bureau of Quarantine. The repatriates will also undergo the mandatory quarantine,” the DFA said.
The DFA said the latest batch of Filipino repatriates is composed of 64 crew members of Marella Celebration and 59 from World Odyssey.
The crewmen were marooned in Europe due to flight disruptions.
The DFA, through the Philippine Embassy in Madrid, and in coordination with the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) and the local manning agencies, made the arrangements for the seafarers’ repatriation.
The Filipino cruise ship workers were welcomed by representatives from the Overseas Workers’ Welfare Administration, DOH, Department of Tourism, BOQ and Manila International Airport Authority.