COVID-19 ALERT 06 | Update - Processing of POEA Crew Contracts
19 March 2020
To Our Valued Principals and Industry Partners:
Good day!
Amidst the crisis on the Pandemic COVID-19, the Philippine Government has now declared the entire country under a state of calamity for a period of six (6) months https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/downloads/2020/03mar/20200316-PROC-929-RRD.pdf. The President also revised prior directives on community quarantine and has now placed the entire Luzon island (which includes Metro Manila) under an Enhanced Community Quarantine (EQC) until 12 April 2020 unless earlier lifted or extended as circumstances may warrant. Under the ECQ, private/government offices should be closed subject to a few exceptions, public transportation is suspended and local/international travels is restricted among other measures implemented to ensure compliance with strict social distancing.
Government offices who regulate the employment of PH seafarers like POEA, OWWA, MARINA and most Embassies have declared suspension of work until further notice (in skeletal workforce). Thereby limiting the Manning Agencies’ operations and access in processing crew exit clearances i.e. contracts, certificates, visas.
On another note, the Philippines has lifted the outbound travel ban for Overseas Filipino Workers (seafarers included) and foreigners https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1096970 and the POEA released its latest memorandum circular 07-2020 II.1.c, allowing Manning Agencies to process crew contract through the use of the POEA online system POPS-sea using our Pre-Purchased OEC (Overseas Employment Certificates) provided that:
- The crew is a Crystal ex-crew with valid and updated OWWA contribution
- The crew is presently within Metro Manila (currently Metro Manila is in lockdown)
- Joining port of the crew is not amongst the country with travel restrictions
- Flight availability is feasible during the lockdown
- Crew is travel ready with complete documentations (e.g. visa, certificates, etc.)
We trust to have informed you accordingly and hoping everyone stays safe. This too shall pass.