COVID-19 Latest POEA Guidelines on Deployment, Repatriation and Extension of Seafarer Contracts
The suspension of work and business transactions due to the Enhanced Community Quarantine in Luzon has affected thousands of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs). However, most government agencies, banks, and other essential businesses remain functional. To date, here are the guidelines summary from the Philippine Overseas Employment Agency (POEA) through their Memorandum Circulars, which directly affects local sea-based manning and maritime agencies.
MEMORANDUM CIRCULAR No. 07 (released March 18, 2020)
Article II. Pre-Employment Services
Sec. 1. Accreditation and Contract Processing.
a. New applications for principal accreditation with the Landbased Center and the Seabased Contract Processing and Accreditation Branch (Seabased Center) are hereby suspended until further notice.
b. All manual contract processing with the Landbased Center and the Seabased Contract Processing and Accreditation Branch (Seabased Center) are also suspended until further notice.
c. Contract processing for both landbased and seabased workers shall only be allowed through the POEA Online Processing System- Landbased (POPS-LaB) and POEA Online Processing System- Seabased (POPS-Sea).
d. New application from agencies to deploy their in-house processing through the POPS-LaB or POPS-Sea are suspended until such time that a feasible skeletal workforce are put in place considering the absence of public transport.
Article III. OFW Arrivals, Repatriation and Departures
Sec. 5 Local Travel for OFWs with OECs and Confirmed International Itinerary.
Pursuant to relevant Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) Resolution(s), outbound passengers intending to depart from the Philippines from any of the international airports in Luzon shall be allowed to travel provided, that on top of existing POEA processes in the issuance of OECs, travelling OFWs shall be further subjected to comply with social distancing measures, quarantine procedures at national and local government unit (LGU) levels, as well as immigration procedures that are currently in place.
Proof of confirmed international itinerary of the travelling OFW should be readily presented at checkpoints.
The aforementioned provision shall not be interpreted to allow outbound travel to countries where travel restrictions are in place.
Article V. Licensing and Regulation Services
Sec. 7. Applications for Issuance of License and Establishment of Branch Authorities. Applications for the Issuance of License and Establishment of Branch Authority shall resume on the next working day following the lifting of the Total Lockdown and Enhanced Community Quarantine orders.
Sec. 8. Panel Interviews and PLOS. All Panel Interviews and Pre-Licensing Orientation Seminar (PLOS) scheduled during the period of the total lockdown and enhanced community quarantine are suspended until further notice.
Sec. 9 Applications for Renewal, Upgrading and Extension of License and Branch Authorities. Agencies affected by the enhanced community quarantine orders whose license expiration fall during the covered period from March 15, 2020 to April 14, 2020, 4 shall be automatically given an extension of thirty (30) days from the lifting of the total lockdown and enhanced community quarantine orders to file their applications.
Sec. 10. Applications for Renewal, Upgrading and Extension of License and Renewal of Branch Authority already received but pending evaluation, review and approval will be acted upon on the next working day following the lifting of the total lockdown and enhanced community quarantine orders.
MEMORANDUM CIRCULAR No. 07-A (Released March 20, 2020)
Article I. Sec. 2 Licensed Seabased Manning Agencies (LMAs)
2.a. The principal accreditation of LMAs affected by the enhanced community quarantine orders whose expiration fall during the period of 15 March 2020 to 14 April 2020, shall automatically be given an extension of thirty (30) days and shall be allowed to file their application for renewal, upgrading or extension upon the lifting of the total lockdown and enhanced community quarantine orders. The extension of accreditation shall not be interpreted as exemption from existing or subsequent issuances relevant to restrictions for deployment in the Philippines or restrictions of entry in countries of destination / flag states.
2.b. LMAs application for renewal, upgrading and extension of principal accreditation already received but pending evaluation, review, and approval will be acted upon on the next working day following the lifting of the total lockdown and enhanced community quarantine order
Article II. Extension of Seafarer Contract
The consummated contract of seafarers who are prevented by circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic to disembark or to be repatriated can be extended for a maximum of sixty (60) days, provided that:
a. the seafarer is asymptomatic of COVID-19;
b. the extension is mutually agreed upon by the seafarer and the principal;
c. requirements for exemptions set by international seafaring authorities are complied with, if applicable; and
d. LMAs with seafarers whose employment contracts are extended are duly reported to this Administration.
Provided further, that the seafarer’s record book and passport are valid during the period of extension of the employment contract.
MEMORANDUM CIRCULAR No. 09 (Released April 1, 2020)
Article II. Sec. 2 Guidelines at Seaports for All Maritime Vessels
The Bureau of Quarantine (BOQ) has implemented DOH Department Circular No. 2020-0034 – Guidelines at All Seaports for Prevention and Spread of Novel Coronavirus Acute Respiratory Disease (2019-NCOV ARD) for all maritime vessels docking at Philippine seaports.
2.B. For Cargo Vessels
B.1. All vessels calling from travel-restricted territories or countries, regardless of the fourteen (14) days incubation period of the disease, must be boarded at the quarantine anchorage.
B.2. Upon arrival at quarantine anchorage, the Master of vessel must hoist at its foremast the yellow flag and inform immediately the Quarantine station at assigned port through ship agents. Strictly no embarkation/disembarkation policy.
B.3. Quarantine Boarding formalities shall issue- the Master of the vessel shall submit a duly accomplished Maritime Declaration of Health and BOQ shall issue free pratique. Other boarding formalities shall commence.
B.4. Vessels cleared at the first port of entry and calling other local port, which within the past 14 days travel from restricted territories or countries, must be boarded at the designated Quarantine anchorage area by QMO, submit duly accomplished Maritime Declaration of Health and other pertinent documents.
B.5. The Master of the vessel must report immediately any occurrence of flu-like symptoms (e.g. fever, cough, colds, body weakness and difficulty of breathing). In an event of flu like manifestation arise, the Master must immediately report to the QMO for guidance on implementing infection prevention and control protocols to minimize the spread of infection onboard.
B.6. The QMO will conduct triaging of case/s using current Case Definition.
B.7. Ship agent of vessel with Person Under Investigation (PUI) situated in a non-competent port will arrange the immediate diversion of the vessel to the nearest competent port (Manila and Cebu) in the Philippine territory.
B.8. PUI in a competent port will be conducted to a dedicated hospital and the vessel will be declared as affected vessel. A confirmed laboratory result of case will commence a 14-day quarantine at the anchorage and hoist the Lima flag. Day zero starts at the conduction of the PUI.
On the 14th day, the QMO will board the vessel, examine the documents, muster the crew and issue a free pratique. The Master of the vessel may then lower down yellow flag, and other formalities will commence.
Further, assessment of patients in any vessel in response to COVID19 health events shall be asked for history of travel to any part of China in the past 14-days prior to onset of symptoms. The patient shall also be inquired of history of exposure to confirmed COVID-19 patient or PUI in the past 14-days prior to onset of symptoms. History of exposure may include the following:
1. Providing care for and/or handling specimens of confirmed COVID-19 patient or PUI for COVID-19 infection;
2. Staying in the same close environment as confirmed COVID-19 patient or PUI for COVID-19 infection;
3. Travelling together with confirmed COVID-19 patient or PUI for COVI-19 infection in any kind of conveyance; and
4. Living in the same ship or cabin as confirmed COVID-19 patient or PUI for COVID-19 infection.
Consistent with the foregoing guidelines provided by the DOH, all PRAs and LMAs are directed to:
1. Report and update the Administration on the significant events/ status of the workers that they have deployed and observe the reporting guidelines provided for in POEA Memorandum Circular No. 08 Series of 2020. These incidents should be reported to the Welfare and Employment Office, via electronic mail (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.);
2. Report and coordinate with the Department of Health on matters concerning health protocols and in compliance with the checklist of requirement for mass repatriation of Filipino crew working in cruise ships; and
3. In coordination with the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, provide assistance to returning workers, including, but not limited to compliance with quarantine procedures as well as the provision of temporary accommodation, food, and transportation back to their provinces at the expense of the PRA or LMA that deployed the said OFWs.