The Department of Migrant Workers reaffirmed its commitment to protecting Filipino seafarers during a courtesy visit to the Mission to Seafarers in Vancouver, recognizing the organization’s role in providing welfare and support to crews calling at Canadian ports.
Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac thanked the Mission to Seafarers for its continued partnership with the department and the Migrant Workers Office in assisting Filipino seafarers, including those involved in welfare and labor-related cases in Canada.
“The physical and spiritual health concerns are very important to our Filipino seafarers, and we are glad to have the Mission to Seafarers as our partner in providing care, counseling and support to them while on port call,” Cacdac said.
During the visit, Senior Port Chaplain Rev. Peter Smyth highlighted the strong faith of many Filipino seafarers, recalling the story of a Filipino crew member who knelt in prayer at the mission’s chapel after safely surviving several days of rough seas.
The Mission to Seafarers in Vancouver provides welfare facilities for international seafarers, including chaplaincy services, emergency assistance and ship visitation support.
Also joining the visit were Labor Attaché Maya Valderrama, Welfare Officer Allan Ignacio and administrative staff member Neil Justin Nicolas.
