OWWA Hotel ASSISTANCE TO RETURNING SEAFARERS - OWWA To Pay Hotel & Food During The Seafarers’ Stay in a Hotel For Isolation While Waiting for their RT-PCR Swab Test Results

UPDATE as of 12 April 2021

Watch above video discussing new regulations regarding seafarers 10-day quarantine protocol.

One Stop Shop Coordination (OSS) Meeting Agenda: New guidelines concerning ship manning agents / agencies and Filipino seafarers. 

1. Implementation of IATF Resolution 114 (7th Day Swab; 9th day release of Results: 10th Day release of Pax to LGUs) 

2. International Arrival Capacity for MIAA, Cebu and Clark 

3. One Hotel Command 4. Balikpinas.ph and e-CIF Concerns / Health Declaration Registration - an online platform of One Stop Shop (OSS) for the registration and administration of Returning Overseas Filipinos and other persons for CoVID-19 testing and response.

UPDATE as of 20 April 2021

Please be informed of OWWA's new official seabased email for hotel concerns:

        teamhotelsb@owwa.gov.ph

From: 

Racquel F. Lastimosa

FOR:

DIR. RONALD A. MINA

Vice-Chairman, Team Hotel

NEW SAMPLE E-MAIL ACKNOWLEGEMENT FROM OWWA

AS OF 12 April 2021 

Acknowledging receipt of your email.

This is to confirm that your booking @_________________ on the stated date will be shouldered by OWWA until the swab test result will be released. 

Steps in the availment of OWWA Quarantine facility

1. Present this confirmation email at the OWWA Counter.

2. Fill-up the Project Care Slip available at the OWWA counter before leaving the airport.

3. Also, reflect the name of the hotel to the NAIA Affidavit of the undertaking. 

4. Submit this confirmation with attached photocopy of Seaman's book & Passport with proof of date of arrival to the hotel for billing purposes.

Reminder: Transportation, scheduling of their RT PCR TEST,  and Other incidental expenses will be the responsibility of your good office/manning agency.

  

NOTE: PLEASE MAKE SURE TO ADVISE YOUR CREW TO SUBMIT THIS CONFIRMATION TO THE HOTEL WHERE YOUR CREW WILL BE BILLETED FOR BILLING PURPOSES FAILURE TO COMPLY WILL BE GROUND FOR CANCELLATION OF BOOKING.

Thank you

IMELDA L. CABANSAG

FOR 

DIR. RONALD A. MINA

VICE-CHAIRMAN, OWWA TEAM HOTEL

UPDATES as of 19 March 2021

UPDATE ON OWWA-SPONSORED HOTEL BOOKING FOR THE QUARANTINE OF RETURNING SEAFARERS

Following the recent concerns raised by the LMAs on the hotel booking/accommodation of  returning seafarers sponsored by the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) in relation to the Memorandum issued by the One-Stop-Shop for the Management of Returning Overseas Filipinos (OSS) on March 5, 2021, the FAME Board of Directors urgently convened a meeting on 09 March 2021, with OWWA Administrator Hans Leo J. Cacdac, Deputy Administrator Rodrigo “Jun” Pascua, Dir. Ronald Mina and Dir. Hermigilio Mendoza  to discuss  the issues/concerns. 

The following were the outcome of the meeting:

1. OWWA Admin. Hans Cacdac reassured that OWWA will continue to shoulder the hotel cost/expenses for all retuning seafarers.

2. Procedure will still be the same, however this time, LMAs are already allowed to do the booking for hotel quarantine of their arriving crew. Please see attached OWWA Advisory to all its OWWA partner hotels for your reference. Hence, to avail, please follow below procedures:

a. Licensed Manning Agency (LMA) to book accommodation of their arriving crew with the partner-hotels of OWWA.

b. Afterwhich, submit to OWWA the details of the arriving crew both from airport and seaport along with the bookings made by LMAs with the OWWA partner-hotels. LMA’s letter / communication to be sent via email to:

owwasbhotel@gmail.com

Attention: Dir. Ronald Mina

Vice Chair- OWWA Team Hotel

                       

Please take note that booking should be made with OWWA partner-hotels. Please see attached official list of OWWA-partner hotels as of 18 March 2021 for your reference and guidance.

3. OWWA will acknowledge and confirm the LMA’s letter request and booking submitted thru email. This will serve as guarantee to the hotel that OWWA will shoulder the hotel cost for the seafarers.

 

4. For LMAs with seafarers currently in the hotel waiting for their swab test, they may resubmit their request to OWWA to cover their hotel expenses thru Dir. Ronald Mina. OWWA confirmed that they will cover the same.

5. If all the OWWA-partner hotels are fully booked, and there are available non-OWWA partner hotels that can accommodate the arriving seafarers, LMAs can coordinate with OWWA so that these hotels can be accredited by OWWA and booking will be paid by OWWA.

6. OWWA will update all their staff assigned in all OWWA Desks in the airports and seaports about this procedure.

7. OWWA also reminded LMAs to closely communicate/coordinate with OWWA at all times.

UPDATED LIST OF OWWA ACCREDITED HOTEL 

List of OWWA Active Hotels 

Download this Official list of OWWA-partner hotels as of 18 March 2021 for your reference and guidance.

Source: 

Memo-Circular No. 027-21

Filipino Association for Mariners' Employment Inc. (FAME)

12/F, MARC 2000 Tower, 1973 Taft Ave., corner San Andres St., Malate Manila 1004 Philippines

Tel No: 8524-7337 / 8524-9892

Fax No: 8527-9794

Email Ad: fame@fame.org.ph

Website: www.fame.org.ph

FOR THOSE ARRIVING IN Clark International Airport

Here is the sample reply from OWWA RWO3

Take special note on their reply: 

Please be reminded that OWWA will assign the designated hotel during the registration at the airport. Any hotel reservations made by the manning agency shall be charged by your account.

Below is the copy of OWWA RWO3 Complete reply to our request for hotel:

On 03/19/2021 2:28 pm, OWWA RWO3 Clark Repat Sea-Based <clarkrepatsb@gmail.com> wrote:

Dear Ma'am / Sir,

This is to acknowledge receipt of your email. Please send this email confirmation to your crew and advise them to proceed to the OWWA counters at Clark International Airport for hotel registration and show this acknowledgement receipt to the OWWA STAFF assigned at the airport. As per the email request, OWWA shoulders the hotel accommodation with complete meals until the swab result is released. Transportation from Clark International Airport to the hotel will also be shouldered by OWWA. For transportation to designated province / municipality / residence of seafarer will be shouldered by your agency.

Please be reminded that OWWA will assign the designated hotel during the registration at the airport. Any hotel reservations made by the manning agency shall be charged by your account.

Keep Safe and God Bless!

For OIC, Esperanza C. Cobarrubias

 

Chantelle Tapnio

OWWA RWO3 STAFF

________________

UPDATE as of 17 MARCH 2021

ADVISORY

TO ALL OWWA PARTNER HOTELS

As part of the government's effort to assist arriving Overseas Filipino Wokers (OFWs), please be informed of the following.

1. OWWA has instructed all manning agencies to arrange the advanced booking of their arriving crew with O\AM/A partner Hotels;

2. Partner hotels are hereby advised to inform O\AM/A of the booking request, through email: owwasbhotel@q mai l. com for confirmation.

3. To facilitate payment, please make sure that all pertinent documents are submitted.

Signed:

ATTY. RODRIGO F. PASCUA

Deputy Administrator for Administrative and Fund Managemen

Chairman of OWWA Team Hotel

COPY OF THE ADVISORY TO OWWA ACCREDITED HOTELS

UPDATE as of 11 MARCH 2021

ADVISORY: To all Manning Agencies

As agreed during our zoom meeting with Joint Manning Group (JMG), all Manning Agencies are hereby advised of the following:

1. Advanced arrangements with the hotels (accredited by OWWA), shall be the responsibility of Licensed Manning Agencies (LMAs);

2. LMAs shall e-mail OWWA requesting for acknowledgement of booking three (3) days before the arrival of their seafarers. The e-mail shall contain the following information:

a. Name of Manning Agency

b. Name of Crew

c. Flight Details

d. Name of OWWA Accredited Hotel with e-mail confirmation

3. Seafarers shall be advised by their respective LMAs to proceed first to MARINA and to OWWA Counter at NAIA prior to proceeding to the hotel;

4. For Sea Based arriving at different ports/airports, please coordinate/e-mail your request to the following:

Manila Port Area and NAIA:

e-mail: owwasbhotel@gmail.com

Mobile No.: 0945-7857127 / 0917-590 8652

PLDT Line 8551-6641 / 8834-0170

Cebu International Airport:

e-mail: owwa7hotelrequest@gmail.com

MAE D. CODILLA

Officer-In-Charge, RWO 7

Mobile No.: 0915-397 7504 / 0936-444 9935

Clark International Airport

e-mail: region3a@owwa.gov.ph

ESPERANZA C. COBARRUBIAS

Officer-In-Charge, RWO 3

Mobile No.: 0917-5084 292  

UPDATE as of 09 MARCH 2021

FAME BOD had an urgent  meeting today 09 March 2021, 3pm  with OWWA Admin Hans Cacdac, DA Jun Pascua, Dir. Ronald Mina and Dir. Hermigilio Mendoza  to discuss  issues with regards to the booking/hotel accommodation of  returning seafarers.

 

1. OWWA Admin. Hans Cacdac reassured that OWWA will continue to shoulder the hotel cost/expenses for all retuning seafarers. 

2. Procedure will still be the same: LMAs to submit the details of the arriving crew both from seaport and airport to OWWA. This will be submitted along with the booking made by LMAs at the OWWA partner hotels. 

Thereafter, OWWA will acknowledge and confirm the LMAs letter/booking made submitted thru email. This will serve as guarantee to the hotel that OWWA will shoulder the hotel cost for the seafarers. 

Please take note: Booking will be made by LMAs thru OWWA partner hotels

3. For LMAs with seafarers currently in the hotel waiting for their swab test,  they must resubmit their request to OWWA to cover their hotel expenses thru Dir. Ronald Mina. OWWA confirmed that they will cover the same.

Source: 

The Secretariat (Ms. Daphnie Vargas)

FILIPINO ASSOCIATION FOR MARINERS’ EMPLOYMENT, INC. (FAME)

UPDATE AS OF 05 MARCH 2021

Memorandum: Shortage of Quarantine Facilities for Overseas Filipino Workers / Seafarers

In reference to the operational coordinating meeting held 05 March 2021 among the member agencies of the One-Stop-Shop for the Management of Returning Overseas Filipinos (OSS-MROF), it has been observed that the quarantine facilities have been inadequate due to the implementation of the 6th day swabbing test.

In view thereof, the MARINA and OSS-MROF member agencies have agreed that LMAs shall cater the quarantine facility requirements of seafarers under their agency starting 05 March 2021. This shall be implemented until there are enough quarantine facilities allocated for Overseas Workers Welfare Administration.

For your guidance and compliance, 

Signed:

USEC Raul L. Del Rosario

OTS Administrator and Head

One Stop Shop for Repatriation of Overseas Filipinos 

Following the above announcement, Licensed Manning Agencies (LMA) are now requested to arrange / book hotel accommodation / quarantine facility for their repatriating seaman. As guide, here is the list of OWWA accredited hotels 

List of OWWA Accredited Hotels / Quarantine Facility accredited by OWWA / BOQ / OSS in National Capital Region (NCR)

List of 2021 OWWA Quarantine Hotels in Manila / NCR | DOT-DOH Accredited

UPDATE AS OF 1 FEBRUARY 2021

To avoid confusion, it has been discussed that LMAs are now held responsible for providing transportation to their arriving seafarers regardless of where they came from either Red Flagged country or not. 

OWWA buses are for land based OFWs. 

The only thing OWWA will provide is the hotel if and only LMA made a request a day or ahead before the expected date of arrival otherwise, non owwa hotel requesting LMA should provide hotel for their crew.

Same process na po ulit tayo sa mga seafarers. 

- Acknowledgement from OWWA Team Hotel is needed.

- Manning Agency (LMA) must arrange transportation from airport to hotel.

- Copy of OWWA Hotel Acknowledgement from Team Hotel must be provided to crew.

This is starting February 1

International Arrival Process for OFWs at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) - effective February 1, 2021

Procedures:

- Upon Seafarers' Airport Arrival 

Pass thru MARINA Desk and FirstAide for Database registration & checking - NO SWABBING will be conducted. If there is Acknowledgement Receipt from OWWA Team Hotel, OWWA will provide/assign hotel accomodation. If no Acknowledgement from OWWA, manning agency (LMA) will be the one to provide hotel.

HERE IS THE SAMPLE OWWA HOTEL TEAM ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

FROM: owwasbhotel@gmail.com 

This is to acknowledge receipt of your email.

Please be advised to send this email confirmation to your crew and proceed to Marina and OWWA Counter at the NAIA for further instruction. Show this acknowledgement to the OWWA Officer assigned at NAIA for Hotel accommodation . OWWA will shoulder their hotel accommodation
with complete meals until the swab test  result is confirmed and also submit this confirmation with attached photo copy of Seaman book & Passport with proof of date of arrival to the hotel for billing purposes. May we also request to remind your representative who will fetch your crew at the airport to be there before the arrival of flight to avoid delay. transportation and other incidental expenses incurred by your seafarers will be shouldered by your good office.

Please also take note that your crew is your responsibility, and that they should go straight to the hotel after the swab testing and stay there until the result of the swab testing received.

NOTE: PLEASE MAKE IT SURE TO ADVISE YOUR CREW TO SUBMIT THIS CONFIRMATION TO THE HOTEL WHERE YOUR CREW WILL BE BILLETED FOR BILLING PURPOSES.


Thank you,
Quenie T.

FOR:

DIR. RONALD A. MINA

Vice Chairman. Team Hotel

- Transportation from Airport to hotel will be arranged by Manning agency (LMA) even if the crew came from Red Flagged country not.

- Manning  Agnecy (LMA) must pick up their crew at the airport going to designated hotel.

After 5 days, swabbing (RT-PCR) test will be conducted at the hotel.

If result is negative, the crew can continue the 14-days quarantine at their residence or LGU.

- Seafarers arrival at the Airport will be counted as day Zero Day.

RELATED INFORMATION:

CLICK: Firstaide Diagnostics Swabbing at NAIA & Philippine Ports - FIRST AIDE RT-PCR SWABBING OPERATION for ARRIVING OFWs & Seafarers

______________

OWWA is extending assistance to returning seafarers by shouldering the cost of hotel and food during the seafarers’ stay in a hotel for isolation while waiting for their RT-PCR swab test results.

To avail of OWWA’s assistance, Licensed Manning Agency (LMA) is required to submit a letter communication to OWWA requesting for hotel assistance for their repatriating/returning seafarers. This communication must be sent to OWWA at least 5-6 days prior the date of arrival of the returning seafarers to Manila. LMA must provide the following information (minimum):

 

•        Complete name of returning seafarer/s

•        Rank of the seafarer/s

•        Name of vessel where he disembarked

•        Date of arrival at NAIA or other airports, or at the Port of Manila (if vessel is deviated to Manila for crew change)

•        Flight details (name of airline, estimated time of arrival, airport of origin)

•        Or, if disembarking at the Port of Manila, date of arrival of the ship

 

LMA’s letter / communication to be sent via email to:

 

owwasbhotel@gmail.com

Attention: Dir. Ronald Mina

Vice Chair- OWWA Team Hotel

 

After sending the letter/communication to OWWA, please wait for OWWA’s reply.  If there is no reply after twenty-four (24) hours, please follow-up.

 

OWWA is expected to reply as follows:

•             OWWA’s confirmation if they will book for the said seafarers or if LMA will be assigned to book at any of OWWA partner hotels (List of OWWA Partner Hotels as of 17 July 2020, see below);

•             If LMA will be assigned to book, LMA must refer back to OWWA for their confirmation of their booking and should inform hotel of OWWA's approval, possibly, thru an email.

 

Important Note:

•             LMA must arrange the transport of the returning seafarers from the airport or seaport (Manila) to the hotels where they are booked for isolation while waiting for the RT-PCR swab test results.

•             If there are changes in schedule, LMA should inform OWWA accordingly

___________

SAMPLE LETTER TO OWWA:

//Print in your official Company Letterhead//

13 August 2020

Dir. Ronald A. Miña

Vice Chair, Hotel Team  

Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA)

Pasay City

Dear Sir, 

We write with reference to the following crew who will arrive on 21 August 2020  at NAIA, details are as follows:

            

AA.) Complete Name of Arriving Seaman & Rank:

BB.) Flight Schedule

VIA PHILIPPINE AIRLINES (PR)

FLT#     DATE     ROUTE     ETD / ETA         

PR 427   21AUG    NRT/MNL   1310  1700    

CC.) Name of Vessel – MV ______________

In view of the above, we would like to request for OWWA’s assistance for the arrangement of hotel and food for the above mentioned crew as well as payment of related costs.

We have assigned our below company personnel as contact person for this arrangement:

Name: 

Mobile No.: 

e-mail: 

Thank you very much for your support and assistance to our Filipino seafarers.

Very truly yours,

_____________

SAMPLE Reply/Confirmation from OWWA

This is to acknowledge receipt of your email. Please advise your crew to go straight to OWWA counter at the NAIA for their hotel accommodation. OWWA will shoulder their hotel accommodation with  complete meals until the swab test result is confirmed. Transportation and other incidental expenses incurred by your seafarers  will be shouldered by your good office.

Thank you,
Imelda Cabansag  

for:

Dir. Ronald A. Miña

Vice Chair, Team Hotel

_______________

FOR CREW CHANGE AT MANILA BAY

1. Send the letter and do the above usual procedure.

2. After sending the Official Letter to OWWA, follow-up with OWWA Office via their landline. Check their trunkline numbers at OWWA official website: https://www.owwa.gov.ph/index.php/contact-us

3. Ask to be connected to office of Ms. Imelda Cabansag  

4. Inform them of your request for hotel for your seafarers disembarking at Manila Bay.

5. The OWWA Hotel team will then look for available hotels then will advise you. In our case, they gave us MANILA HOTEL

SAMPLE REPLY WE RECEIVED FROM OWWA:

On 08/20/2020 9:04 pm, hotel owwa wrote:

This is to acknowledge the receipt of your email. Please make an advance arrangement with Manila hotel and we will confirm to the hotel thru phone call or email on the actual arrival date.

OWWA will be the one to shoulder the hotel accommodation with complete meals   until the swab test  result will be released. Other incidental expenses will be shouldered by your good office. 

Thank you

Imelda Cabansag

for:

Dir. Ronald A. Miña

Vice Chair, Team Hotel 

5. Upon receiving advise regarding assigned hotel - contact the hotel and also send them the OWWA confirmation for their reference.

IF YOU DON'T RECEIVE ANY REPLY BY E-MAIL - YOU CAN CALL OWWA OFFICE AT 

   (02) - 8891-7601 TO 24

Request the operator to connect you to the office of Ms. Imelda Cabansag

or  direct line OWWA Team Hotel (office of Mr. Danny Flores)

   8551 66 41 

 

_______________

List of OWWA Partner Hotels as of 17 July 2020

Download List Here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1BggQag6MALQbeoF791hT6CQ8kfgClz7b/view?usp=sharing

SOURCE: FILIPINO ASSOCIATION FOR MARINERS' EMPLOYMENT, INC. (FAME) - Memo-Circular No. 084-20  / August 10, 2020

The Secretariat 

Filipino Association for Mariners' Employment Inc. (FAME)
12/F, MARC 2000 Tower, 1973 Taft Ave., corner San Andres St., Malate Manila, 1004 Philippines
Tel No: 8524-7337 / 8524-9892
Fax No: 8527-9794
Email Ad: fame@fame.org.ph
Website: www.fame.org.ph

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__________________

NOTE: The purpose of this post is for immediate information only when conducting crew change or replacement of Filipino crew / seaman. This is also for guidance of crewing officers, crewing manager & crew operation staff, especially for ship manning agent in the Philippines. Above information is based on collected data only.