June 27 when the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) received the report about six Filipino seafarers who have been stranded on the ship MV Hirman Star in Iloilo Strait. In response to the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and the immediate order of Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Secretary Hans Leo J. Cacdac—the government rescue operation was immediately carried out on Monday, June 30, 2025.
OWWA Administrator PY Caunan and DMW Director for Seabased Accreditation Augusto “Ogie” San Diego III led the inter-agency rescue operation partner of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), Bureau of Immigration, Bureau of Customs, and Iloilo City Congresswoman Jam-Jam Baronda.
Aboard the PCG ship, the team headed to the exact location of the MV Hirman Star to personally greet, mourn, and safely disembark the six crew members. According to the preliminary report, in addition to a severe delay in their wages, the condition of the ship in which they are staying is also not in good shape.
At 7:10 pm on June 30, six Filipino crew members were successfully disembarked from MV Hirman Star, safe and with a smile of hope. They were immediately taken to the hospital for medical check-up, where Iloilo City Mayor Raisa Treñas also gave additional support in the form of medicine and medical assistance.
In addition to the immediate rescue, OWWA and DMW also ensured that seafarers were given the right compensation for their delayed wages. They were also given financial aid and reintegration support to start over.
This mission is proof of the government’s active response to the welfare of Filipino seafarers. Under the New Philippines, there is concern, there is action, and there is true service with a heart.
OWWA at DMW, nanguna sa pagsagip sa anim na Filipino seafarers ng MV Hirman Star sa Iloilo Strait
Hunyo 27 nang matanggap ng Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) ang ulat ukol sa anim na Filipino seafarers na ilang buwan nang stranded sa barkong MV Hirman Star sa Iloilo Strait. Bilang pagtugon sa direktiba ni Pangulong Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. at agarang utos ni Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Secretary Hans Leo J. Cacdac—agad na isinagawa ang rescue operation ng pamahalaan noong Lunes, Hunyo 30, 2025.
Pinangunahan ni OWWA Administrator PY Caunan at DMW Director for Seabased Accreditation Augusto “Ogie” San Diego III ang inter-agency rescue operation katuwang ang Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), Bureau of Immigration, Bureau of Customs, at si Iloilo City Congresswoman Jam-Jam Baronda.
Sakay ng barko ng PCG, nagtungo ang team sa mismong lokasyon ng MV Hirman Star upang personal na kumustahin, alalayan, at ligtas na maibaba ang anim na tripulante. Ayon sa paunang ulat, bukod sa matinding pagkaantala ng kanilang sahod, hindi na rin maayos ang kondisyon ng barko kung saan sila nananatili.
Dakong 7:10 ng gabi noong Hunyo 30 ay matagumpay na naibaba mula sa MV Hirman Star ang anim na tripulanteng Pilipino, ligtas at may ngiting dala ng pag-asa. Agad silang dinala sa ospital para sa medical check-up, kung saan nagbigay rin ng karagdagang suporta si Iloilo City Mayor Raisa Treñas sa anyo ng gamot at medikal na tulong.
Bukod sa agarang rescue, siniguro rin ng OWWA at DMW na maibigay sa mga seafarers ang nararapat na bayad sa kanilang naantalang sahod. Sila rin ay binigyan ng tulong pinansyal at reintegration support upang makapagsimula muli.
Ang misyon na ito ay patunay ng aktibong pagtugon ng pamahalaan sa kapakanan ng mga Filipino seafarers. Sa ilalim ng Bagong Pilipinas, may malasakit, may pagkilos, at may tunay na serbisyong may puso.
