PH Consulate General in Los Angeles Sends Off 148 Filipino Crew

LOS ANGELES 22 April 2020 – The Philippine Consulate General in Los Angeles, led by Consul General Adelio Angelito S. Cruz, assisted and sent off a total of 148 Filipino crewmembers who were repatriated to the Philippines in separate batches from 16 to 20 April 2020 from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX).

The Filipino seafarers, who were employed by Regent Seven Seas Cruises (RSSC) and Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL), disembarked from the M/S Regent Seven Seas Mariner and M/S Norwegian Joy, both docked at the Port of Los Angeles, after completing more than 14-days of quarantine onboard without exhibiting any COVID-19 symptoms.

The Consulate General officials accompanied the Filipino crewmembers at the Tom Bradley International Terminal and informed them of what to expect when they arrive in the Philippines, particularly on new quarantine protocols. The Consulate General also distributed flyers containing Philippine quarantine guidelines, as well as contact details of relevant government agencies.

Consul General Cruz emphasized the Philippine government’s efforts to bring home Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) like them to their families. Labor Attaché Armi Evangel N. Peña reminded the seafarers of their rights as OFWs and the government services available to returning OFWs.

This repatriation was made possible through the concerted efforts of the Philippine Embassy in Washington D.C., the DFA-Office of the Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Affairs, and other key Philippine government agencies.

Airfare and other related repatriation costs were borne by the employers, RSSC and NCL, as well as the Philippine-based manning agencies.

Completing the Consulate General’s Assistance-to-Nationals (ATN) team were Deputy Consul General Ambrosio Brian F. Enciso III, Vice Consul Joan Macrise C. Corrado, ATN Officer Judelyn M. Cuaresma, Consular Office Alexander Nelson B. Maestrado, Protocol Officer Fernand Balicoco and Philippine Overseas Labor Office in Los Angeles Administrative Staff Atty. Miguel Ignacio Maria S. Castriciones. 

The successful repatriation brings the total of Filipino seafarers assisted by the Philippine Consulate General in Los Angeles to 1,151. END

For more information, visit https://www.philippineconsulatela.org or https://www.facebook.com/PHLinLA/.