Iloilo: The six Filipino seafarers stranded aboard an unseaworthy vessel in the Iloilo Strait for nearly three months have begun receiving their unpaid wages, as the government moves to hold the vessel owner and manning agency accountable for the ordeal.
According to Philippines News Agency, Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) Chief Patricia Yvonne Caunan, in an interview on Bagong Pilipinas on Wednesday, said the seafarers, crew members of bulk carrier MV Herman Star, have finally returned to their families after enduring months without power, proper food, clean water, or salary aboard the vessel. Caunan stated that OWWA intervened between the seafarers, the vessel owner, and the manning agency to reach a conciliation agreement regarding the payment of the unpaid wages.
The agreement ensured that the seafarers received the first tranche of their back wages. Additionally, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) and OWWA provided financial and reintegration assistance to each seafarer. Caunan expressed satisfaction with the facilitation of the agreement and assured the seafarers that the remaining salaries would be fully released as agreed.
The rescue operation, made possible with the help of the Philippine Coast Guard, the Bureau of Immigration, the Bureau of Customs, and Iloilo Lone District Rep. Jam Baronda, resulted in the seafarers receiving PHP100,000 in financial aid through the DMW's Aksyon Fund and OWWA's Emergency Repatriation Fund. This aid is part of the government's expanded support for distressed overseas workers and seafarers, as directed by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.
In addition to assisting the Filipino seafarers, the Philippine government extended food aid and other assistance to seven Indian crew members who were also stranded on the vessel. Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac indicated that the agency would pursue administrative sanctions and hold the vessel owner and the manning agency accountable for the seafarers' hardship. The manning agency, Erica Crew Manning Services Inc., is currently under suspension and may face license revocation.
The vessel, which arrived from Vietnam carrying bags of rice in August 2024, was found unseaworthy and lacking a valid trading certificate during an inspection by the Philippine Coast Guard/Port State Control, leading to its prolonged docking. DMW Undersecretary Bernard Olalia highlighted violations including failure to ensure the ship's seaworthiness, delayed payment of wages, and potential contract substitution. The DMW is also investigating the manning agency's failure to monitor its deployed seafarers, which constitutes another violation.
Olalia stressed the seriousness of these violations, stating that they could lead to the cancellation of the manning agency's license.
