By Leslie Ann Aquino
The more than 400 Filipino crew members of the M/V Diamond Princess cruise ship should complete their 14-day quarantine period at the New Clark City in Tarlac.
(DFA / MANILA BULLETIN)
This is in order for them to be issued a Certificate of Completion of Quarantine from the Department of Health, which is a requirement for the release of financial and transportation assistance from the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA).
"This certificate will serve as an indication of your readiness to rejoin your respective families and your community and possibly, resume employment," OWWA Administrator Hans Leo Cacdac said in an advisory.
"Further, the certificate will be a requirement in the release of financial and transportation assistance from OWWA," he added.
The labor official said such a requirement is necessary in order to ensure that every seafarer repatriated, as well as their respective families and communities, will be protected from the 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
"As members of OWWA, we are concerned about your welfare and that of your families and your communities. We, therefore, urge you all to observe the house rules while at the Athletes Village in New Clark City, Capas, Tarlac. Your health and safety always come first," Cacdac said.
The OWWA Board of Trustees earlier approved the provision of P10,000 financial assistance to each returned Diamond Princess seafarer.
It also approved the provision of transport assistance from Manila to home region.
A P20,000 livelihood grant will also be made available for seafarers who decide to permanently stay in the Philippines.
"(These) shall be given after the seafarer completes the mandatory 14-day quarantine period," Cacdac said.
A total of 445 Filipinos from the M/V Diamond Princess cruise ship are currently under quarantine. Of that number, 440 are crew members and five are passengers.
The repatriated crew arrived Tuesday.