PH's 12th crew change hub activated

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) successfully activated an additional crew change hub at the Port of Cagayan De Oro on Tuesday, May 31, 2022, bringing a total of 12 hubs in the country, Secretary Art Tugade announced.

The hubs include the Port of Manila, Currimao, Poro Point (La Union), Subic Bay Freeport Zone, Bataan, Batangas, Palawan, Iloilo, Cebu, Davao and Port of Zamboanga.

All hubs are equipped with One-Stop Shops (OSS) for seafarers where government services are housed in a single location to facilitate crew change requirements and activities.

The newly-operationalized hub in Cagayan De Oro, along with others, is a significant step to ensure the overall well-being, safety, and employment of seafarers amid challenges towards normalcy despite the prevailing COVID-19 pandemic, according to the DOTr Secretary.

The government recognizes the importance of crew change in our country which greatly contributes to efficient, safe ship operations, help address global need for fresh manpower aboard and a way towards international recognition, he explained.

"In our remaining days in office, the DOTr continues to strengthen and stay firm to its commitment to make the Philippines an international crew change hub," Tugade pledged.

He promised "to continue working until the last day of office to fulfill our mandate of providing Filipinos a more convenient and comfortable life".

The DOTr, together with Philippine Ports Authority (PPA), the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), the Cebu Port Authority (CPA), the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA), and the Office for Transportation Security (OTS), will continue to complete projects and initiatives across the archipelago within the remaining 30 days.