MANILA – Some 49,000 Filipino seafarers were deployed in September as the seafaring industry gradually reopens amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19), the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) said Friday.
“Last month, a number of seafarers not below 49,000 were able to board their ships. This is the normal number of seamen we send abroad. It only means, slowly the industry started to pick up. Slowly, we are getting back our deployment because of the easing up by some countries of destination,” said POEA administrator Bernard Olalia in a Laging Handa briefing.
He said they started getting the usual data on deployment since July.
“It was in July, August, September when we were able to record previous data on deployment. There was a decline in the deployment due to travel restrictions,” Olalia added.
Meanwhile, Olalia reminded anew those who are looking to work abroad, to be cautious, and only transact with agencies authorized by the government.
He said all authorized agencies can be found at their website at www.poea.gov.ph.
“To our countrymen, especially those who are looking to be employed overseas, don’t accept job offers on social media. You can check our website for the list of legitimate agencies. Don’t fall prey on promises by these people,” Olalia said.
Olalia also advised them to coordinate with POEA to obtain valid information on job vacancies and recruitment.
“Just like what they say, if it’s too good to be true, you are probably talking to an illegal recruiter,” he said. (PNA)
