Pursuant to the directives of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., a high-level Philippine delegation led by Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Secretary Hans Leo J. Cacdac paid a solemn tribute to a fallen Filipino seafarer, Chief Engineer Naa, during a private visit to Tulcea County Hospital.
The tribute follows a tragic incident in the Black Sea on July 21, 2026, involving the vessel MT Gas Lisbon. Following the incident, Romanian emergency responders successfully rescued the crew and transferred three injured Filipino seafarers to Tulcea County Hospital for immediate medical treatment. While two of the seafarers were safely repatriated to the Philippines on August 3, Chief Engineer Naa later succumbed to his injuries.
Secretary Cacdac was joined by Philippine Ambassador to Romania Noel E. Servigon, Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) Administrator Patricia Yvonne Caunan, Director August B. San Diego III (OIC-Assistant Secretary for Seabased Concerns), Labor Attaché Geraldine C. Mendez, and Ms. Charisse Mae Tiongson (Officer-in-Charge of the Migrant Workers Office in Budapest).
The delegation offered prayers and observed a moment of silence before the remains of Chief Engineer Naa, honoring his dedicated service to the global maritime industry and acknowledging the essential contributions and resilience of Filipino seafarers worldwide.
“Today, we honor a Filipino whose dedication, professionalism, and sacrifice embody the resilience and excellence of our seafarers,” Secretary Cacdac stated. “As we mourn this tragic loss, we reaffirm our commitment to bringing him home with dignity and ensuring that his family receives the full support of the Philippine government.”
Secretary Cacdac extended the Philippine government’s deepest condolences to the bereaved family, assuring them of sustained assistance throughout the repatriation process and beyond. The DMW, through its Migrant Workers Office (MWO), is actively coordinating with the Philippine Embassy in Bucharest, OWWA, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), and local Romanian authorities to facilitate the swift repatriation of the Chief Engineer’s remains while ensuring the full delivery of welfare benefits and services to his family.
The Philippine delegation expressed its profound gratitude to the medical staff and emergency responders at Tulcea County Hospital for their compassionate care of the injured crew and the dignity accorded to the deceased. The delegation also extended its appreciation to Romanian authorities for their vital cooperation during the emergency response and ongoing repatriation efforts.
This solemn tribute underscores the Philippine government’s steadfast commitment to protecting and honoring every Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) and ensuring that no Filipino serving abroad is ever forgotten.
