Shipowners and manning agencies have assured Philippine authorities that vessels carrying Filipino crew members are stocked with enough food and water to last up to 45 days, with commitments to replenish supplies regardless of cost, as the Department of Migrant Workers steps up its monitoring of seafarers deployed across volatile maritime corridors in the Middle East.
The DMW has activated an electronic tracking system requiring licensed manning agencies to file daily reports from high-risk posts, including Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province, Qatari ports, and the western coast of the United Arab Emirates. The agency is coordinating with its Migrant Workers Offices and Philippine embassies to monitor conditions along the Strait of Hormuz, Gulf of Oman, and the Red Sea.
Secretary Hans Leo J. Cacdac said the measures reflect the agency’s commitment to protecting seafarers despite the instability gripping the region. Beyond physical safety, the DMW flagged the psychological toll of prolonged deployment under tense conditions as a concern being addressed in coordination with manning agencies, international shipowners, and maritime stakeholders.
Families of affected seafarers in the Philippines are guaranteed continued salary allotments under the Magna Carta of Filipino Seafarers, with the DMW confirming that workers in the affected zones are still receiving their pay.
