Migrant Workers Undersecretary Bernard Olalia clarified that except for their repatriation, seafarers who need help on board ships trapped in the escalating US-Israel war against Iran are mainly the responsibility of their respective licensed manning agencies (LMAs) and employers.
Olalia made the clarification during a press briefing on March 4, 2026, led by Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac, ostensibly in response to persistent calls from some industry quarters for DMW to prepare early for how it would assist beleaguered seafarers on board some 50 ships trapped in the Strait of Hormuz.
There are reports that about 50 ships (at least 25 bulk carriers were reported anchored near Bandar Imam Khomeini port and another 25 containerships and tankers at Bandar Abbas port) are stranded in the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran earlier declared closed.
Former general manager and owner’s representative of Eastern Mediterranean Manning Agency Capt. Edgar Flores raised the issue of a possible problem over the seafarers’ provisions, especially food and water on board these ships, should the war extend beyond the earlier projected four to five months.
“What will DMW and OWWA (Overseas Workers Welfare Administration) do if worst comes to worst? May plano ba?” asked the former crewing executive and ship captain who has experience sailing in these areas during the Iran-Iraq war.
Olalia, however, made a categorical statement about this concern. DMW official leads the Licensing and Adjudication Services cluster, focusing on regulating recruitment agencies and enforcing policies for OFW protection.
“The responsibility goes with the employers and LMAs, who are supposed to inform DMW through OWMS, or the Overseas Welfare Monitoring System, on whereabouts, conditions, predicaments, and if seafarers need assistance, the LMAs and employers are supposed to help them,” Olalia emphasized.
He nevertheless conceded that when it comes to repatriating the seafarers, the DMW would step in to assist. “Their safety is the primary responsibility of both the LMAs and their employers, pero sisiguruhin po natin na andito tayo, should they request for repatriation,” Olalia quickly pointed out.
On the monitoring of the situation of the stranded seafarers, DMW keeps track of them through their LMAs. DMW Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac assured the industry that the department is “in touch” with the Filipino seafarers on board various ships stranded in the Strait of Hormuz, as well as with their LMAs and families.
“Their conditions on board are good enough until they are taken out of there; hopefully, hindi ganoon katagal, but rest assured we’re in touch with the seafarers and their families,” Cacdac said during the press conference.
Meanwhile, 27 Filipino seafarers were able to disembark safely from their ship, which is most likely stranded in the Gulf of Oman, which along with the Strait of Hormuz and Persian Gulf, now reportedly on the list of declared high-risk areas (HRAs) under the International Bargaining Forum (IBF).
According to OWWA Administrator Patricia Yvonne “PY” Caunan, the 27 crewmembers of an unnamed ship are being assisted by the DMW-OWWA team in Oman, led by the Philippine Embassy in Muscat.
“They are provided with accommodation in a hotel and even clothes,” Admin Caunan said. They have requested repatriation; thus, they are expected to be repatriated anytime soon.
