TIMeMagazine
eMagazineVol.1
Vol.1Issue
Issue 5
TIM
8
POEA implements
online registration of
seafarers
D
OLE Secretary Silvestre H.Bello III, the chairperson Governing Board of the Philippine
Overseas Employment Administration, said
Seafarers Registration Certificates (SRC) will
be replaced by an online seafarer registry
very soon.
In a Resolution issued August 5, the
Governing Board has instructed the POEA to implement the
online registration system for seafarers starting 15 September 2016.
Secretary Bello signed GB Resolution No. 13, Series of
2016 with POEA Administrator and Governing Board ViceChair Hans Leo J. Cacdac, and members Felix M. Oca, Estrelita S. Hizon, Alexander E. Asuncion, and Milagros Isabel A.
Cristobal.
Bello said the online registry shall benefit around 50,000
SRC applicants per year, and remove long lines at POEA offices. The online seafarer registry shall likewise pave the way for
the developme nt and implementation of a universal identifi-
cation system for Filipino seafarers.
He said the way forward is to have a universal ID system
for seafarers that is acceptable to all government agencies
and Port States in compliance with ILO Convention No. 185
or the Seafarer’s Identity Document Convention.
The Board directed the POEA to link up with the Maritime
Industry Authority (MARINA) to look into the possibility of
data sharing and development of a universal ID system for
seafarers.
The POEA issues SRCs to seafarers with their perpetual ID
number for easy access of personal records and efficient processing of employment documents. Bello said the online SRC
system is aligned with President Rodrigo Duterte’s directive
for government offices to review all systems and requirements to avoid duplication of functions, eliminate queuing
and facilitate delivery of services to OFWs.
Bello said the POEA shall conduct an extensive information dissemination campaign before the implementation of
the online registration system.
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