PH Consulate General in Los Angeles Sends Off 48 Filipino Crew of Grand Princess
(Los Angeles PCG photo)
LOS ANGELES 24 April 2020 – The Philippine Consulate General in Los Angeles assisted and sent off 48 Filipino cruise ship crewmembers employed by Princess Cruises who left for the Philippines from the Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) via a commercial flight on 23 April 2020.
The Filipino seafarers were among those who stayed behind as part of the essential crew of the COVID-19-affected cruise ship M/S Grand Princess. Said cruise ship docked at the Port of Oakland on 09 March 2020 at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in the U.S.
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 the new quarantine protocols set by the Philippine’s Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID).
Vice Consul Joan Macrise Corrado emphasized the Philippine government’s efforts to bring home OFWs like them to their families. The Consulate General also distributed flyers containing Philippine quarantine guidelines, as well as contact details of relevant government agencies.
Labor Attaché Armi Evangel N. Peña reminded the seafarers of their rights as OFWs and the government services available to returning OFWs. Labor Attaché Peña also distributed the US $200 DOLE-AKAP financial assistance to some of the crew members who were qualified after submitting complete requirements.
This repatriation was made possible through the concerted efforts of the DFA-Office of the Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Affairs, the Philippine Embassy in Washington D.C., and other key Philippine government agencies.
Airfare and other related repatriation costs were borne by the employer, Princess Cruises, as well as the Philippine-based manning agency.
Joining the Consulate General’s Assistance-to-Nationals team were Consular Officer Jay Perez and Philippine Overseas Labor Office in Los Angeles Administrative Staff Atty. Miguel Ignacio Maria S. Castriciones.
This repatriation brings the total of Filipino seafarers assisted by the Consulate General to 1,199.END
Vice Consul Joan Macrise Corrado (leftmost) informs the seafarers of what to expect when they arrive in the Philippines, particularly on new quarantine protocols. (Los Angeles PCG photo)
Labor Attaché Armi Evangel N. Peña (leftmost) reminds the seafarers of their rights as OFWs and the government services available to returning OFWs. (Los Angeles PCG photo)
For more information, visit https://www.philippineconsulatela.org or https://www.facebook.com/PHLinLA/.