PROTOCOL ON REPATRIATION OF FILIPINO SEAFARERS

I. Introduction

This document outlines the procedures on the repatriation of seafarers in the light of the
government’s measures against global pandemics such as COVID-19. For purposes of this
Protocol, “seafarers” is defined as those who are deployed as (1) ship’s crew serving at
management, operational and support levels or (2) service providers (i.e. bartenders, chef,
hotel personnel, entertainers, receptionist, among others) who are onboard ocean-going ships
but which operation are disrupted due to the pandemic.

II. Background

1. Proclamation No. 929: “Declaring a State of Calamity Throughout the Philippines

Due to Corona Virus Disease 2019” and Proclamation No. 922: “Declaring a
State of Public Health Emergency Through the Philippines” (both series of 2020) 1

2. Paragraphs E and F of the Inter-Agency Task Force for Emerging Infectious

Diseases (IATF-EID) Resolution No. 18, series 2020, dated 01 April 2020, which
provided the directive to address the concerns of seafarers and manning
agencies in bringing repatriated seafarers to their homes amid the COVID-19
situation.

III. General Provision

All concerned government agencies shall:

1. Ensure that necessary assistance is provided for the safe, orderly and fast repatriation of
seafarers affected by the global pandemic;
2. Establish institutional arrangements / coordination mechanisms relative to this protocol;
and,
3. Provide funding thereof pursuant to applicable laws.

IV. Specific Procedures

A. ARRIVING SEAFARERS

A.1 Prior to Disembarkation

STEPS (O/PR) Form

1. Secure OWWA Clearance for departure from the point LMAs/ OWWA
1
Directed all heads of departments, agencies, offices and instrumentalities of the government to adopt, coordinate
and implement the said guidelines on the imposition of the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) and the
Stringent Social Distancing Measures over the entire Luzon, including the National Capital Region (NCR) effective 17
March 2020.

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 of origin. Seafarers Clearance

2. Provide the Philippine government the list of seafarers to Licensed Repatriation

be repatriated at least 72 hours before the arrival. The Manning Listing
list should have the following details: Agencies Template
(LMAs),
 Full Name  Residence: MARINA
 Birthday  Contact Person in Ph
 Contact Numbers  Preferred Airport of
entry*

2.1 Provide flight details in case of pre-arranged

travel
--------
3. Arrange special/mercy flights or secure flight details in LMAs,
case of private arrangement. MARINA
OWWA
3.1 Secure necessary permits required for entry via CAAP
air/seaports. PPA
3.2 Prior coordination with LGUs concerned DILG
-------
4. Furnish concerned LGUs with the arrival schedule/s for DOTR
appropriate action MARINA

While on-board ship en route port of disembarkation:

5. Furnish seafarers copy of the Daily Temperature Report

for the current month up to the date of their Master Daily
disembarkation. If for the current month the duration of Shipping Temperature
the monitoring report is less than 14 days, a copy of the Company Report
previous preceding month should be included and must LMAs
be given to each disembarking crew. All reports should
be duly signed by the Master and stamped with the
vessel’s name.

6. Approve and clear disembarkation from ship and Foreign Immigration/

disembarking crew to proceed to airport for a pre- port Quarantine/
arranged or confirmed flight back to the Philippines. authorities Customs
(Immigration Clearance
/
Quarantine/
Customs)

----
7. Provide disembarking crew with personal hygiene kit Master
(100ml bottled alcohol or hand sanitizer, at least 10 Shipping

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 pieces facemasks, tissue, hand gloves) Company
LMAs

8. Put on protective mask and hand gloves upon leaving the Seafarers
ship.

A.2 Travel to Airport of Destination

STEPS (O/PR) Form

----
1. Wear protective mask and hand gloves until arrival at the Seafarers
Philippine airport of destination.
----
2. Practice regular / proper washing of hands Seafarers
----
3. Ensure physical / social distancing throughout the travel Seafarers

4. If the seafarers has completed a 14-day quarantine at the Seafarer Certificate

point of origin immediately before the departure, prepare Who should of
the Certificate of Completion and present to the Bureau of confirm the Completion
Quarantine upon arrival. Certificate of
Completion

A.3 Air/Seaport Arrivals

STEPS (O/PR) Form

1. Comply with arrival protocols for OFWs (Annex I) Seafarers General

such as but not limited to temperature check, Declaration
briefing, etc., including rapid antibody testing for of Health
COVID-192.
BoQ/ BI / ----
2. Issue necessary clearance documents to proceed to BOC
arriving seafarers

3. Arriving seafarers attend briefing with Repatriation LMAs /

Officer for the Day (ROD) designated by MARINA and MARINA
discuss following: DOH
LGUs
a. Government assistance during the quarantine period
(meals, communication with family, hospitalization,
etc)
b. Quarantine protocol issued by the DOH
c. Expectations
2
Pursuant to IATF Resolution No. 26 series of 2020 dated April 20, 2020.

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 ----
4. Transport arriving seafarers to **designated lodging LMAs /
facility OR designated quarantine areas OWWA /
DOTR
**Note: DOH
a. The designation of lodging or quarantine areas should LGUs
be firmed up with concerned authorities/ entities/
LGUs prior to the arrival to the first port of entry.
b. Cruise ships carrying the seafarers on repatriation
which could be utilized for quarantine purposes shall
also secure approval of the DOH prior to its arrival.

A.4 Mandatory 14-Day Quarantine Period

STEPS (O/PR) Form

----
a. Comply/observe quarantine protocol* (Annex II) Seafarers/
approved by the Department of Health (DOH) from entry LMAs/
to exit from the quarantine area. Quarantine
Protocol
Note: Officers
a. LMAs which shall provide for the lodging/ quarantine
of seafarers should be able to implement the
quarantine protocol, including coordination with
competent authorities in case symptoms are be
exhibited.

b. LMAs shall transport to the designated COVID-19

hospitals those seafarers who exhibited symptoms and
shall be taken cared of by the DOH.

c. As a rule, home quarantine shall not be allowed for

seafarers.

A.5 Travel to Final Point of Destination (Home)

STEPS (O/PR) Form

1. Secure BoQ Medical Pass for those who are cleared from Seafarers BoQ
pandemic infection. The medical pass will be required LMAs Medical
prior to embarkation for travel to final point of Pass
destination.

2. ***Arrange transportation which include among others LMAs

the clearance of entry from the LGU concerned, OWWA
ticketing, modes of transportation from air/seaport to MARINA

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 residence. DOTR
LGUs
***Note: The arrangement of transportation and
incidentals should be made while the seafarers are on
quarantine so that upon clearance/exit, the seafarers could
immediately be transported to their final point.

2.1 In case of personal or family – arranged

transportation, secure clearance from the
LMA/MARINA.

3. Transport to respective final points of destination (home). LMAs/

MARINA
OWWA /
DOTR
LGUs

B. SEAFARERS STRANDED IN METRO MANILA

STEPS (O/PR) Form

1. Secure the list of seafarers to be transported to their final Licensed Repatriation

point of destination, with the following details: Manning Listing
Agencies Template
 Full Name  Residence: (LMAs),
 Birthday  Contact Person in Ph MARINA
 Contact Numbers  Preferred Airport of
entry*

2. Cluster by group based on final point of destination: LMAs

MARINA
2.1 Determine appropriate and available mode/s of DOTR
transportation
2.2 Commence arrangement with bus / shipping
companies
2.3 Close coordination with MARINA Cluster Focal
Persons

3. Complete the mandatory 14-day quarantine Seafarers ----

requirements. (See Procedure A.4) LMAs/

4. If cleared by quarantine authority, implement

transportation arrangement made. (See Procedure
A.5)

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V. Directory of Focal Persons

Agency Name Contact Nos. / Viber Email

DOH
DOTR
BoQ
BoC
BI
CAAP
MARINA
OWWA
PCG
PPA
DILG

VI. Reporting

The MARINA shall ensure that the DOTr Task Group is updated by submitting situational
reports on a regular basis.

VII. Effectivity

This document is adopted this ____ of April 2020 during the

_________________________________________.

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