MANILA — The Philippines’ top migrant worker official expressed gratitude to the Dutch government Monday for its assistance to Filipino seafarers aboard the MV Hondius, a vessel at the center of a hantavirus scare, while reporting that all 38 crew members have tested negative for the disease.
Department of Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac made the remarks upon his return to Manila’s Ninoy Aquino International Airport, saying coordination with the Netherlands had been “very strong” during the health emergency.
“At this time when our crew members are in great need, our support is truly there,” Cacdac told reporters.
Cacdac said he personally visited Filipino seafarers quarantined in the Netherlands, in keeping with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to strengthen labor diplomacy with host countries of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).
Of the ship’s 38 Filipino crew members, 21 are currently under quarantine and monitoring in Amsterdam, while the remaining crew members underwent testing and quarantine after arriving in Rotterdam on May 18. All have returned negative hantavirus test results and remain asymptomatic, he said.
The crew is subject to a stringent 42-day quarantine period, set to conclude June 18. The Department of Health has said the protocol reflects the virus’ incubation period, during which symptoms may emerge between four and 42 days after exposure.
The Philippines’ Department of Foreign Affairs is also coordinating with the DMW under a whole-of-government approach to safeguard the welfare of the crew.
Middle East Repatriation Effort
Separately, the DMW reported that as of May 24, the government had repatriated 10,129 OFWs, their dependents, and stranded Filipinos amid ongoing tensions in the Middle East.
Financial and emergency assistance has been extended to 34,188 OFWs and affected Filipinos under Marcos’ directive. In total, the government has delivered 70,148 on-site services — including food, transportation, shelter, and medical assistance — to OFWs and their families.
