The Department of Labor and Employment has put in place a one-stop center for seafarers that will house in one location the various government offices involved in providing the requisite documentation for seafarers in connection with their employment.

The services to be provided by the respective agencies would include the processing and issuance of the following documents:

• Commission on Higher Education - School Credentials Certification, Authentication and Verification
  
• Department of Foreign Affairs - Passport
  
• Maritime Industry Authority - Seafarer’s Identity and Record Book
  
• National Bureau of Investigation - NBI Clearance
  
• National Statistics Office - Birth Certificate
  
• National Telecommunications Commission - General Operator’s Certificate
  
• Philippine Overseas Employment Administration - Employment Contract and Overseas Employment Certificate
  
• Professional Regulation Commission - Marine Deck and Engineers Officers’ License and Certificates of Competency
  

The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority shall issue the application forms for assessment of ratings. The corresponding certificate of competency for ratings shall be released at the one-stop center upon completion of the assessment process.

The Maritime Training Council shall assess the skills of new entrant seafarers and process and issue of certificates of proficiency under Chapters V and VI of the 1978 STCW Convention, as amended.

The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, Social Security System, Phil-Health and Pag-ibig Fund shall provide membership information and other similar services to the seafarers.

The one-stop processing center for seafarers is located at the ground floor of the POEA Building in Ortigas Avenue , Mandaluyong City and shall conduct its dry-run on May 12, 2003 .

Republished with permission from POEA.gov.ph. All rights reserved.