OWWA opens seafarers’ hub in Malate

SEAFARERS’ HUB. The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) opened on Thursday (July 11, 2024) the Seafarers’ Hub in Malate, Manila. OWWA chief Arnell Ignacio said the hub is open 24 hours a day to all Filipino seafarers who are processing their papers. (Photo: OWWA Overseas Workers Welfare Administration/Facebook)

By Marita Moaje, Philippine News Agency

MANILA – The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) on Thursday formally opened the Seafarers’ Hub where Filipino seafarers can hang out while waiting for their documents to be processed.

The hub in Malate, Manila, which is closer to most seafarers’ agencies, will be open 24 hours a day to accommodate seafarers awaiting their papers or interviews, or undergoing training, OWWA chief Arnell Ignacio said during the opening ceremony that was also attended by Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac.

Ignacio said the hub, also called “halfway tambayan,” would provide unlimited coffee and food and a free Wifi connection.

“Naghanap kami ng lugar na malapit kung saan sila tumatambay. We provide food. (It’s) a very, very decent tambayan. It’s 24 hours bukas, walang magpapaalis sa kanila dito, maupo ka diyan, kung inaantok ka, di lang kami mag po-provide ng kama (We searched for a place near areas where they usually hang out. We provide food. It’s a very, very decent hangout. It is open 24 hours. No one will evict them here. They can sit here. If they are sleepy, we just won’t provide a bed),” he said.

Ignacio said the project is part of the agency’s response to the call of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. for them to look after the welfare of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).

He said for many years, OFWs, particularly seafarers, usually sit by the sidewalks while waiting for hours to have their papers processed.

“Nakatambay sila sa init, walang makain (They would be under the heat of the sun, with nothing to eat). So, we looked for a place where they can rest and hang out,” Ignacio said.

The hub will also provide legal assistance from the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP), especially because many OFWs still fall prey to scams.

“With the IBP legal assistance, they will be properly guided kung ano talaga yung tamang pamamaraan ng pag-handle ng kaso (on the correct process of handling their cases),” he said.

The “tambayan” will also offer health services, such as free ECG, BP, and even HIV tests.

Some Filipino seafarers who attended the launch expressed appreciation for the hub.

Lusito Jeralde, a seafarer for almost 30 years, said the hub should have been done before.

“Dapat noon pa ito kasi yung seaman nandun lang nakatambay sa Kalaw. Malaking bagay ito para sa amin (This should have been done long ago because seamen are just out there in Kalaw. This is a big deal for us),” he said.

A seafarer for 10 years, Elmer June Morales from Davao City said it has been very difficult for them to find a place to stay without spending much.

“Malaking tulong ito at sobrang mahalaga sa amin ito, lalo na sa aming mga seafarers na habang nag te-training kami o me inaasikasong mga papeles, pwede kaming makapunta dito, maka-chill, maka-relax at tsaka may free na Internet connection para makontak ang mga pamilya namin (This is a big help and it is very important, especially for us seafarers, that while we are training or taking care of paperwork, we can come here, chill, relax, and have free Internet connection to contact our families),” he said.

Meanwhile, Ignacio announced that an OFW Lounge would also be launched in August at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3 where OFWs can stay while waiting for their flights.

In January, the first OFW Lounge was opened near the pre-departure area of the NAIA Terminal 1.