The Philippines’s efforts to safeguard public health and mission to bring overseas Filipinos home safely goes hand-in-hand as 2GO Group Inc announces its readiness to welcome returning overseas Filipino seafarers and workers for their mandatory 14-day quarantine on two of its passenger vessels.
In partnership with the country’s Department of Transportation (DOTr), 2GO provided these passenger vessels to be used as quarantine facilities. The move was in response to the call of Secretary Arthur Tugade for private passenger ships to be used for this purpose because of tight capacities.
“We are ready to do our national duty to help the government in curbing the COVID-19 pandemic. We have provided our vessels to accommodate our repatriated fellow Filipinos while ensuring the necessary conditions for a safe and comfortable stay are in place,” said Waldo Basilla, 2GO Group’s Chief Operating Offi cer.
2GO’s M/V St. Anthony de Padua (SAP) and M/V St. Pope John Paul II (SJP) are currently docked at Pier 15, South Harbor, Manila for two months to serve as transition shelters. Aside from the accommodations, onboard facilities and retail stores will continue to be made available to ensure the comfort and convenience of those in quarantine. Additionally, selected common areas including the spacious sun deck will remain accessible.
“This project comes at a meaningful time as we recently celebrated Easter. The message on hope and renewal resonates with our wish for the safety of everyone and desire to return to normal life,” Basilla added.
Basilla shared that the vessels will be regularly sanitized. Social distancing guidelines as provided for by the Department of Health (DOH) will also be rigidly implemented on board.
The DOTr through the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) will provide the manpower, equipment and supplies to manage security and operations on board to ensure compliance with the guidelines. 2GO will provide the technical crew, food & beverage, and housekeeping sta to deliver hotel support.
The daily monitoring and surveillance of the people on the ships, including the handling and transfer of individuals showing symptoms to designated facilities for treatment, will be managed by the PCG sta onboard based on the policies and protocols instituted by the Bureau of Quarantine and DOH.
No positive COVID-19 patients will be kept and treated on-board.
“We remain committed to support the government on its initiatives to contain this virus as soon as possible, so that we can gradually reopen the economy” Basilla concluded. The remaining 6 passenger vessels of 2GO will resume passenger operations upon lifting of the Luzon-wide community quarantine scheduled on April 30.
