The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) confirmed that 38 Filipino crew members from the cruise vessel MV Hondius safely returned to the Philippines following a hantavirus outbreak on board.
The seafarers arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3 on the evening of June 19, 2026. Their return follows a mandatory 42-day quarantine period spent in the Netherlands.
DMW authorities verified that all returning personnel tested negative for the virus before being cleared to fly.
Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac, alongside officials from the Department of Health (DOH), the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), and the Bureau of Quarantine (BOQ), welcomed the repatriated crew. Cacdac noted that the swift and safe return of the workers was carried out under the direct directives of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
The Bureau of Quarantine conducted routine medical screenings upon the crew’s arrival, while government agencies distributed immediate financial and logistical assistance.
“We wanted you to reunite with your families. We are very happy that you have arrived safely. If ever you need support, just reach out to us,” Cacdac said during the arrival proceedings.
Cacdac commended the vessel’s owners and the local manning agency for prioritizing the crew’s health throughout the isolation period. The DMW stated that the seafarers will receive their full back wages and travel allowances.
Furthermore, the government is funding local transport and temporary accommodations for crew members traveling back to their respective provinces.
The DOH has guaranteed the repatriated workers free medical check-ups and fully covered treatments at public health centers. The DMW is also opening up its reintegration programs to provide livelihood and business assistance for any crew members wishing to transition to land-based employment locally.