Distance marker at the entrance of the Consular Section

27 May 2020 – To ensure the safety of its consular clients, the Philippine Embassy has implemented a set of measures to facilitate social distancing in its premises and help prevent the spread of CoViD-19.

These physical measures include distance markers, a hand disinfection station, and the regular cleaning of high-touch areas, such as door knobs and toilet facilities. Clients’ companions are also requested not to accompany clients (except PWDs, children, pregnant women, and the elderly) to avoid overcrowding. A video on the new measures is available for viewing on the Embassy’s official Facebook page.

Glass barriers at the counter manned by masked-wearing Embassy personnel

Both staff members and clients are required to wear facemasks while at the Embassy.

In terms of procedures, the Embassy created an online appointment system for:

• passport;

• travel document;

• NBI clearance; and

• notarization services;

to maintain social distancing, as well as facilitate contact-tracing, if it becomes necessary. The appointment system can be accessed through our website, www.philippine-embassy.de.

Civil registry (Reports of Birth, Marriage, and Death) and document authentication services can also be done by mail.

For detailed information on the modified consular operations, please visit the Embassy’s website, www.philippine-embassy.de. Announcements are also posted regularly on the Embassy’s official Facebook page and Instagram account with the handle, @PHinGermany.

Top photo : Social Distancing in the Embassy aided by distance markers on the floor, seats, and walls. Bottom right photo: Distance markers for the waiting area.

27 May 2020, Berlin – 375 Filipino crewmembers of AIDA Cruises departed for the Philippines from Hamburg, Germany on May 2020 via a chartered Evelop Airlines flight.

The seafarers had been awaiting repatriation after cruise trips were suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic starting in March.

The Filipino crew, part of several thousand AIDA Cruises employees of different nationalities, were assisted at the send-off by Philippine Ambassador to Germany Theresa Dizon-De Vega, Welfare Officer Sylvia Gabriel with Embassy Assistants Renante Estrella and Vieto Pilapil.

Before boarding, The Filipino crew were provided with information on how to avail of the AKAP or Social Amelioration Fund and also the Balik Pinas, Balik Hanapbuhay Livelihood Assistance Program.

The Filipino crewmembers are expected to arrive in the Philippines on 28 May 2020. Over 1,000 Filpino seafarers have been repatriated from Germany since April 2020. END

Filcrewmembers check-in for the chartered flight (all photos by Berlin PE)

Top left and right Crew members arrive at Hamburg International Airport from the Hamburg Port Cruise Center; Bottom left Amb. Dizon-De Vega confers with Hamburg Airport Authorities on the movements and procedures for check-in and boarding; Amb. Dizon-De Vega, Welfare Officer Sylvia Gabriel discuss matters on seafarers repatriation with Dr. Scarlett Kleine-Kampmann of the Port and Airport Health Authority of Hamburg who was on hand to assist any seafarers in distress

Over 300 Filipino crewmembers of Sea Chefs and TUI Cruises departed for the Philippines from Hamburg, Germany in the early evening of 24 May 2020 via a chartered TUI Airlines flight.

The seafarer had been awaiting repatriation for the last two months after their usual cruise liner routes, mainly in the Caribbean region, were suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Filipino crew, part of several thousand Sea Chefs and TUI Cruises employees of different nationalities, were assisted at the send-off by TUI Staff, Philippine Ambassador to Germany Theresa Dizon-De Vega, Labor Attaché Delmer Cruz, and consular staff Elvin Jay Alejandro and Arneil Sergio.

Before boarding, Ambassador Dizon-De Vega expressed appreciation to the Filipino crew for their patience and understanding stating, “it has been a very difficult period for all of you and we look forward to the time when you can all come back to work in the cruise industry”. She likewise thanked

the companies for their coordination. For his part, Labor Attaché Cruz reminded the Filipinos that they could apply for the government’s social amelioration program of AKAP at the different OWWA Regional Offices.

The Filipino crewmembers are expected to arrive in the Philippines on 25 May 2020.  END

Filcrewmembers prepare for boarding (all photos by Berlin PE)

L-R Crew members commence boarding the chartered flight; Ambassador Dizon-De Vega confers with TUI representatives and Hamburg Airport Representatives on the procedure for check-in and boarding before the arrival of the passengers

L-R Labor Attaché Delmer Cruz, Filseafarer Mardi Gonzales, and Ambassador Dizon-De Vega discuss social amelioration benefits the seafarers could avail of upon returning