Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Secretary Hans Leo J. Cacdac has successfully concluded a high-level mission to the Netherlands to personally ensure the safety, well-being, and rights of the 38 Filipino crew members of the MV Hondius, following a recent Hantavirus health scare.
In a series of critical meetings held on May 22, 2026, Secretary Cacdac secured official assurances that all Filipino crew members have tested negative for the virus, remain entirely asymptomatic, and will receive full compensation throughout their medical isolation.
The DMW delegation—which included Assistant Secretary for Seabased OFW Concerns Jerome Pampolina and Seabased Accreditation Bureau Director Augusto San Diego—joined forces with the Philippine Embassy in the Netherlands, led by Ambassador Jose Eduardo Malaya.
Together, they convened with senior officials from the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Health, Welfare, and Sport. During the talks, Secretary Cacdac expressed deep gratitude to the Netherlands government for its rapid humanitarian action and exceptional medical support. In turn, Dutch authorities highly praised the indispensable role of Filipino seafarers in global maritime trade and reaffirmed their strict commitment to safeguarding migrant workers’ health and welfare.
Accompanied by Berlin Labor Attaché Delia Palomar, the DMW officials also held direct talks with Oceanwide Expeditions (the shipowner) and Wagenborg (the crew’s licensed manning agency).
The meetings yielded several key protections for the Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs):
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Health Status: All 38 Filipino crew members are confirmed negative for Hantavirus, are asymptomatic, and are under continuous, high-quality medical supervision.
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Financial Security: The shipowner guaranteed that all affected crew members will receive their full compensation during and even after the mandatory quarantine period.
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Repatriation Plan: The crew will be safely repatriated to the Philippines immediately upon being cleared by Dutch health authorities.
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Important Timeline: The mandatory six-week quarantine period for the crew is scheduled to officially end on June 18, 2026.
The DMW, in coordination with the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and its licensed manning partners, will continue to closely monitor the crew’s condition until they safely return home to their families.
