Ayon kay DOTr Secretary Arthur Tugade, binuksan na ang mga hub sa Port of Manila, Port of Capinpin sa Bataan, at Subic Bay Freeport Zone.
“It is my hope for the Philippines to become a major international hub for crew change,” pahayag ni Tugade.
Inaasahang bubuksan din bilang crew change hub ang iba pang pantalan sa Batangas, Davao, at Cebu.
Ayon kay OIC-Assistant Secretary for Maritime Vice Admiral Narciso Vingson, Jr., “To guarantee that the health and safety of seafarers and the public are protected while we work on this endeavor, the DOTr and its attached agencies are activating hubs in close coordination with various government agencies and units involved in crew changes.”
Sinabi naman ni OTS Administrator at One-Stop Shop (OSS) Head Undersecretary Raul Del Rosario na sa ilalim ng IATF Resolution No. 53, kinikilala ang Subic Bay bilang isa sa crew change hubs sa bansa.
“The strategic location of Subic Bay makes it ideal for crew changes due to its proximity to countries with high trading activities. The maritime industry in the area is also actively performing, with excellent port facilities and safe harbor to serve the needs of internationally-flagged vessels. Basically, Subic Bay can offer everything shipping principals are looking for in a crew change hub,” ani Del Rosario.
Naglagay din aniya ng OSS para matiyak na makukumpleto ang health requirements.
Ayon naman kay Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Commandant Admiral George Ursabia Jr., tumatalima ang crew change hub sa health at quarantine protocols ng Department of Health (DOH).
“To ensure the smooth flow of operations, we have conducted a dry run which was witnessed by the public,” dagdag pa ni Ursabia.
Ipinaliwanag din ni MARINA Administrator Vice Admiral Robert Empedrad kung bakit kailangan ng crew change hubs sa bansa sa gitna ng nararanasang pandemya.
“This has been a significant cause of worry, as seafarers of all nationalities are already experiencing immense physical and mental fatigue brought on by overstaying onboard ships at sea. If this continues, delivery of essential cargo will be affected. Having crew change hubs in the country will solve this problem and give our seafarers the advantage of swift processing due to the established protocols,” ani Empedrad.
Sa nagdaang apat na buwan, nasa kabuuang 734 barko na ang dumaong sa Port of Manila para sa crew change.