ORION, Bataan — Department of Transportation (DOTr), through its maritime sector, conducted Saturday the first crew change operations outside Metro Manila at Port Capinpin in Orion.
Office for Transportation Security (OTS) Administrator Raul Del Rosario disclosed that one of the operational requirements for the location is to have a One-Stop Shop (OSS), which took more than a month to establish at the port.
“The role of the OSS is to gather all concerned agencies in the crew change protocol. It includes Philippine Ports Authority (PPA), Philippine Coast Guard, OTS, MARINA, and our partner agencies such as the Bureau of Customs, Bureau of Quarantine (BOQ), Bureau of Immigration, OWWA [Overseas Workers Welfare Administration], PNP [Philippine National Police], and the local government units,” Del Rosario, who is also the Head of OSS, stated.
Other requirements for the port are the establishment of RT-PCR testing booths, quarantine facilities, anchorage, application and Customs, Immigration, and Quarantine (CIQ) procedures, and tugboats.
Port Capinpin, a port being operated and managed by PPA, was activated as a crew change hub on August 19.
It will primarily benefit seafarers, who are stranded onboard ships with expired contracts due to imposed travel restrictions as they can only serve on board a vessel without leave up to 11 months based on International Labor Organization 2006 Maritime Labor Convention.
About 10 outgoing and 11 new boarding crews of a cargo vessel were the first ones to benefit the operations at the port.
Prior to embarkation, seafarers are required to undergo RT-PCR testing 72 hours before boarding. After getting a negative result, they will be subjected to physical examination by the BOQ, as well as customs and immigration procedures. Upon obtaining clearance, they will be sent to the vessel where they will receive handover of duties from off signees.
On the other hand, off signing seafarers are required to undergo CIQ procedures onboard vessel. Once fully cleared by authorities, they will be sent to the port for disembarkation, debriefing, RT-PCR testing and quarantine.
To further help seafarers, PPA General Manager Jay Santiago said they are currently constructing a 100-bed quarantine facility at Port Capinpin, which may be used by seafarers waiting for the result of their COVID-19 test.
“This facility will be completed in less than a month. Funds used to construct this facility is part of the PhP100-million donation from the Lopez Group of companies,” Santiago revealed as he added that accommodation will be free.
Meanwhile, DOTr OIC-Assistant Secretary for Maritime Vice Admiral Narciso Vingson Jr. said that aside from the OSS, the COVID-19 Molecular Laboratory at the Port of Manila has also been completed and is now just awaiting accreditation/license from the Department of Health.
The molecular laboratory can service the requirements of the Port of Capinpin and can release testing results in 24 to 48 hours.
In August, a total of three crew change hubs were activated by the DOTr, which are located at the Port of Manila, Port of Capinpin, and at the Subic Bay Freeport Zone. Other ports for activation include Batangas, Davao, and Cebu.