Republic o f the Philippines

Department o f Health
BUREAU O F QU ARAN TIN E
25th and A.C. Delgado Streets
Port Area, Manila

MEMORANDUM CIRCULAR
No. 2023 - 0 4 ih 22 February 2023

TO : ALL BUREAU OF QUARANTINE STATIONS AND OTHER

CONCERNED AGENCIES
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FROM : FERDINAND S. SALCEDO, MD, MPH, CESO IV
DIRECTOR IV

SUBJECT : Interim Guidelines on Crew Change and Shore Leave at

Designated Crew Change Hubs

DATE : February 21,2023

I. BACKGROUND
The shipping industry has been suffering a big blow due to the COVID-19
pandemic, causing huge financial losses in the trade, it also affected millions of
stranded seafarers at sea. W ith the easing of quarantine restrictions all over the
world, global maritime trade is now getting back on its feet after 2 grueling years of
lockdowns and quarantine with no declaration of an end to the pandemic.
Thru the government's effort to provide necessary support, ease of travel and
trade restrictions with continued implementation of proactive measures and
protocols to strengthen border control in accordance with WHO pronouncements,
the Bureau of Quarantine prescribes the following guidelines on crew change and
shore leave for cargo vessels.
1. Crew change and shore leave must be precoordinated at least 72 hours prior
to movement via boq.portservices(5)gm ail.com for BOQ NCR Station or
respective emails of BOQ Provincial Stations designated as crew change
hubs.
2. Registration to etravel.gov.ph 24 hours before arrival in the Philippines.
3. Profiling must be done prior to disembarkation and valid for 24 hours only
at anchorage
4. All crew change at anchorage should be between 8AM-2PM (subject to the
discretion o f Station Chief)
5. All crew change at berth is allowed between 6AM-8PM (subject to the
discretion of Station Chief).