Mayor Jerry Jerry Treñas lambasted two government agencies for allegedly failing to coordinate with the Iloilo City Government about the arrival of repatriated Ilonggo seafarers in the city.
In an interview with Treñas yesterday, May 2, he said he was “not satisfied” with the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) and Overseas Workers Welfare Administration’s (OWWA) handling of the repatriation of the stranded seafarers.
“Naluoy ako sa mga OFW nga ginapadala kag wala man gin-atendir sang MARINA kag OWWA. Ginpabay-an lang man to sila. Indi gid ko satisfied,” he told reporters.
Based on data from the Civil Defense Office (OCD-6), 175 seafarers from Manila arrived in the city on Wednesday, April 29.
Of the total number, 35 are residents of Iloilo City and the rest are from Iloilo province (68) Guimaras (5), Capiz (12), Antique (18), and Aklan (37).
On Friday, May 1, the concerned families of seafarers who are currently staying at a hotel in the city appealed for help.
The quarantined seafarers complained of lack of food and drinking water. They also lamented the non-collection of their garbage.
“They worked as seafarers to provide food and a good future for their families. They pay their taxes. Generally, they are citizens of good standing. I think we owe to them that we take care of their basic needs in this time of crisis,” a part of the letter read.
The letter was addressed to OWWA-6, DOH-6, Iloilo Provincial Government, and Iloilo City Government.
Upon learning the situation of the seafarers, Treñas immediately sent food packs and hygiene kits to them.
“Amo ni kon wala koordinasyon kundi bulilyaso. Ginbutang mo sila sa isa ka facility tapos wala may gatan-aw sa ila, wala may gadul-ong pagakaon, kag wala gani may gacheck sa gahilanat kag gaubo,” Treñas said.
Jose Ruberto Nuñez, OCD-6 director and chairman of the Regional Inter-Agency Task Force on COVID-19, said it’s the responsibility of OWWA to ensure that the seafarers are well taken care of. IMT
Photo of Treñas by Arnold Almacen
