POEA implements online registration of seafarers

News Release
8 August 2016

DOLE 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 Vice-Chair 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 development and implementation of a universal
identification 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.