President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has directed national government agencies to provide all the necessary assistance, including financial aid, to the 17 seafarers of MV Magic Seas and their families upon their return to the Philippines on July 11.

The 17 Filipino seafarers will arrive in Manila on July 11 from Djibouti in East Africa, Department of Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac said on Thursday.

“Iyong standing directive ng ating mahal na Pangulo na gawin ang lahat para mabigyan ng ganap na proteksyon ang ating mga OFWs at lalo na ang ating mga marinong Pilipino at ang kanilang mga pamilya,” Cacdac said in a Palace press briefing.

“We will provide the necessary assistance as directed by the President, the necessary whole-of-government assistance sa mga nanumbalik na tripulante ng MV Magic Seas,” Cacdac said.

Financial, humanitarian, medical, and psychosocial counseling assistance, as well as other forms of support, will be provided through various agencies as directed by the President, the DMW chief said.

These agencies include the Department of Health (DOH), the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), and the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).

The seafarers were rescued after Houthi rebels attacked the Greek-owned bulk carrier MV Magic Seas while sailing the Red Sea near Hodeidah, Yemen, on Sunday.

The rebels carried out the attack using drones, missiles, rocket-propelled grenades, and small arms, forcing its crew of 22 to abandon the vessel. | PND