Seafarers' Identity Documents Convention (Revised), 2003, as amended (No. 185) - Philippines (Ratification: 2012)

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2024, published 113rd ILC session (2025)

Article 1 of the Convention. Scope of application. The Committee requested the Government to clarify the reasons for the limited scope of application of the Maritime Industry Authority’s (MARINA) Memorandum Circular No. MD–2019–01 published on 10 January 2019 on rules and regulations on the issuance of seafarers’ record books (SRB) and seafarers’ identity documents (SIDs). The Committee notes that, in reply to its comments, the Government indicates in its report that the Circular has been amended by Memorandum Circular No. MD-2024-01, also known as “The 2023 Policies, Standards and Guidelines for the Issuance, Revocation and Reissuance of Seafarer’s Record Book (SRB) and Seafarer’s Identity Document (SID)” issued on 10 March 2024. By virtue of the amendment, particularly in Section II of MD-2024-01, all Filipino seafarers who will go onboard vessels engaged in international trade are required to be issued SIDs. Section III of the same Memorandum Circular provides that seafarers onboard ships below 35GT and fishing vessels below 50GT shall be covered by a separate memorandum, MD-2024-02, also known as “The 2023 Policies, Standards and Guidelines for the Issuance, Revocation and Reissuance of Seafarer’s Identification Book (SIB) for Seafarers Onboard Philippine-Registered Ships Below 35GT and Fishing Vessels from 3GT to below 50GT operating in the Philippine Waters”, published on 18 March 2024. The Government indicates that this is to ensure that all Filipino seafarers onboard Philippine-registered ships below 35GT and fishing vessel from 3GT to below 50GT operating in the Philippine waters are properly documented. The Committee takes note of this information.

Article 4. National electronic database. The Committee requested the Government to provide information on the implementation of Article 4 and Annex II, as amended in 2016. The Committee notes that, in reply to its comments, the Government indicates that MARINA has implemented a National Electronic Database that contains records of each seafarer’s SID issued, suspended, or withdrawn. The Government clarifies that the MARINA SID issuance system contains two databases, namely: (i) a full issuance database with all information used in the issuance process including copies of scanned documents, such as the SRB, the contact details of the seafarer, etc.; and (ii) the MARINA SID-SRB National Electronic Database, which specifies the data provided under Annex II of the Convention. The Committee takes note of this information.

Article 5. Quality control and evaluation. The Committee requested the Government to provide information on the results of the independent evaluation of its system. The Committee notes that, in reply to its comments, the Government indicates that the independent audit was undertaken in the MARINA Central Office in Manila and two other pre-selected MARINA Regional Offices in the period 6-20 December 2019. The audit conclusion was that the SIDs issued by the MARINA should be considered fully compliant to the requirements of the Convention, as amended. The Committee notes with satisfaction the positive conclusions of: (i) the independent evaluation report submitted by the Philippines in accordance with Article 5(4); (ii) the Office’s assessment; and (iii) the report of the Review Group established under arrangements adopted in accordance with Article 5(6). The Committee also notes that the Governing Body approved the inclusion of the Philippines as the first ratifying Member to be listed as fully meeting the minimum requirements referred to in Article 5(1), of the Convention, as amended (GB.340/INS/18/5). The Committee takes note of this information, which addresses its previous request.

Article 6. Facilitation of shore leave and transit and transfer of seafarers. The Committee requested the Government to provide information on the measures taken to implement this provision. The Committee notes that, in reply to its comments, the Government indicates that, to streamline the entry process of Filipino seafarers into the territories of Member States that ratified the Convention with ease and to resolve the urgent question of seafarers being refused admission into the territory of countries visited by their ships for purposes of shore leave, transit and transfer to join or change ships, MARINA transmitted to the International Maritime Organization (IMO) a letter concerning the recognition of the Philippines’ issuance of SIDs and the newly enhanced Seafarer’s Record Book (SRB). The said letter was circulated to all IMO Member States on 22 September 2020 through IMO Circular Letter No. 4237. While noting this information, the Committee requests the Government to indicate the measures taken to give effect to the requirements of Article 6 in respect of foreign seafarer nationals of countries for which the Convention is in force, who are to enter the Philippines for the purpose of the Convention and hold a valid SID issued in accordance with the provisions thereof.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2019, published 109th ILC session (2021)

The Committee notes the Government’s reports as well as the additional information submitted in June, July and September 2019. The Committee further notes that the 2016 amendments to the Annexes of the Convention entered into force for the Philippines on 8 June 2017. It recalls that these amendments aim at aligning the technical requirements of the Convention with the latest standards adopted by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) with respect to the technology for seafarers’ identity documents (SIDs) provided for in the Convention. In particular, they intend to change the biometric template in SIDs from a fingerprint template in a two-dimensional barcode to a facial image stored in a contactless chip as required by ICAO Document 9303. The Committee notes with interest the Government’s indication that it has launched, in 2019, the issuance of a new SID in accordance with the amended version of the Convention. It further notes that the Government submitted a specimen of the new SID. The Committee requests the Government to address the issues raised below and to provide information on any developments regarding the implementation of the Convention.

Article 1 of the Convention. Scope of application. The Committee notes the adoption of the MARINA Memorandum Circular No. MD–2019–01 published on 10 January 2019 on rules and regulations on the issuance of seafarers’ record books (SRB) and seafarers’ identity documents (SIDs) to implement Convention No. 185. The Committee further notes that this Circular applies to “all Filipino seafarers on board commercial vessels and fishing vessels of 35GT and 50GT above, respectively” (Part IV(2)). The Committee recalls that for the purpose of the Convention, seafarer means any person who is employed or is engaged or works in any capacity on board a vessel regardless of its tonnage, other than a ship of war, ordinarily engaged in maritime navigation. The Committee requests the Government to clarify the reason for the above limitation of tonnage.

Article 4. National electronic database. The Committee notes the Government’s information that any electronic verification and automated responses of the SID must have authorization in the form of User ID and password from the focal permanent point in order to grant access and validate a Filipino seafarer identification data on the National Electronic Database (NEDB), which is available on 24/7 easy access. The security procedure will ensure that any information on seafarers will be released to authorized persons only. While noting these elements, the Committee requests the Government to provide detailed information on how it gives effect to the provisions of Article 4 and Annex II, as amended in 2016.

Article 5. Quality control and evaluation. The Committee notes with interest the Government’s indication that it will shortly carry out the independent evaluation of its system, including quality control procedures, as required by the Convention, in order to be included in the list of Members which fully meet the minimum requirements. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on the results of the independent evaluation.

Article 6. Facilitation of shore leave and transit and transfer of seafarers. Noting the absence of information on this point, the Committee requests the Government to indicate the measures taken to give effect to this provision of the Convention.