By Minka Klaudia Tiangco The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has been directed to arrange the temporary waiver of the P180-fee being charged to repatriated Filipino seafarers and workers staying on the 2Go ship that was converted into a quarantine facility. Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade issued the order after at least two Filipinos who are undergoing quarantine on the ship posted complaints on social media about the fee, and the filthy and seemingly incomplete facilities. The Coast Guard converted two ships into quarantine facilities for returning Filipino seafarers and workers from South Korea, Indonesia, Qatar, and Taiwan amid the COVID-19 pandemic. “In the meantime that the OFWs are adjusting, and with arrangements with the manpower agency and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) still in discussions, Secretary Arthur Tugade has directed the PCG to work out the temporary waiver of the said fee with 2Go,” the PCG said in a statement issued Friday. The agency clarified that the fee was not for the room accommodation, but for the three meals that 2Go is required to prepare for the quarantined workers. However, paying the fee is optional. Persons who do not wish to avail of the meals can buy food and other necessities at the mini mart inside the vessel, the PCG said. The Coast Guard also said the mattresses of some of the built-in bunk beds were deliberately removed because they were not in use. With this, Tugade proposed that the bunk beds not in use be removed. “It should be highlighted that the vessel has a 1,200 passenger capacity, but, in order to ensure the observance of strict protocols on social distancing, we are only accommodating at most 400 persons,” their statement read. The PCG also said sanitation procedures have been “immediately adopted” following the reports of dead cockroaches found in the quarantine facility. “We again apologize for any shortcoming and we will see to it that we take the necessary remedial action, as we both endure and acknowledge our sacrifices amid the difficulty of our situation,” the agency said. “We appreciate the great sacrifices of our OFWs, and we would like to convey our gratitude to all of you. In these very challenging times, we also wish to assure you that your government is exhausting all efforts, foremost to uphold and protect your well-being,” it added.