By Dean Aubrey Caratiquet
After the first six Filipino seafarers of MV Magic Seas arrived safely at the Clark International Airport in Pampanga on Friday night, July 11, officials from the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) welcomed 11 other crew members of the ill-fated vessel at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3 this Saturday, July 12.
Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac reassured the repatriated seafarers of all the necessary assistance from the government, praising them for their unwavering courage and resilience in the face of adversity.
“Magaling kayo at magigiting. May Aksyon Fund tayo para magbigay ng tulong at suporta sa inyo, pero hindi ’yan ang pinakamahalaga. Ang mahalaga ay nakauwi kayo ng ligtas,” Cacdac said.
He also outlined the roster of government services that were available to the displaced seafarers for them to start anew in the Philippines, which include immediate financial assistance and reintegration services, medical checkups, physical and mental health assessments, and psychosocial counseling.
The arrival of 11 other Filipino crew of MV Magic Seas completes the tally of seafarers that were safely repatriated after their vessel was recently attacked by Houthi rebels while traversing the Red Sea.
Their successful rescue was in adherence to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s mandate of ensuring the welfare of Filipino migrant workers in the diaspora, irrespective of the situation in which they found themselves.
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