In consonance with the government objective to provide equal opportunity to all qualified Filipinos desiring to work onboard ocean-going vessels, a joint resolution by heads of member agencies of the Maritime Training Council under LOI 1404 and the National Maritime Polytechnic adopting Minimum Requirements and Qualification Standard for Entry and Promotion to Grade of Filipino Seafarers (MRQSEPG) was signed on May 10, 1991 as the bases for issuance of Seaman's Service Record Book, certification, registration/documentation, and placement on board ocean-going vessels of Filipino seafarers, both officers and ratings.

Under the new MRQSEPG, applicants who are graduates of maritime and related courses, or with at least one year sea experience, as well as high school graduates or with sufficient related land experience are qualified to be registered and participate in the overseas employment program.

Applicants who can not meet the minimum requirements but are being hired by manning agencies/shipping companies may be registered under the C3 category.  This shall, however, be limited to positions specified in the new MRQSEPG and approval shall be subject to the presentation of the following documents:

1.      Guaranty Undertaking of the manning agency/shipping company (new format attached)

2.      Certification by the school re registrant's highest educational attainment

3.      Employment Contract

4.      Medical Certificate of Fitness

5.      Approved Routing Slip issued to the manning agency/shipping company by the Seafarers Accreditation Division.

II.

Streamlining of the Registration
Process of Seafarers

Issuance of Permanent Registration
Number and Seafarer's Registration
Certificate
Applicants qualified to be registered under the new MRQSEPG shall be issued a permanent registration number and a Seaman's Registration Certificate that shall remain valid and shall only be replaced when seamen is able to acquire a new license or additional sea experience to upgrade his rank/position.

To update his profile in the registry, the seaman, through the manning agency/shipping company which hired him, shall submit a xerox copy of his latest sea service as reflected in his SSRB or other relevant new information such as new address, beneficiary, civil status, etc, at the Employment Contract Processing Branch for transmission to the Manpower Registry Division, Employment Branch.

SRC of a previously registered seaman shall remain valid up to its expiration date. Thereafter, he shall be issued a new SRC reflecting his permanent registration number.

The registration fee for new registrant and replacement fee for upgrading registrant if P50.00.

This Circular shall be effective on January 16, 1993 and supersedes all other issuances inconsistent herewith.

For information and compliance.

Adopted: 6 Jan. 1993

(Sgd.) FELICISIMO O. JOSON, JR.
Administrator