ILO notes Marina’s ‘rigid’ processes in Seafarer Identification Document issuance

ILO notes Marina’s ‘rigid’ processes in SID issuance
Lorenz S. Marasigan November 26, 2020 https://businessmirror.com.ph/2020/11/26/ilo-notes-marinas-rigid-process...

A large group of Filipino seafarers attend a pre-boarding briefing at the Maritime Industry Authority in Manila.
The International Labor Organization (ILO) has included the Philippines on its list of member-states that have “clear, complete and well-documented” processing in the issuance of Seafarer Identification Document (SID).

This means that the Philippines has fully met the minimum requirements concerning processes and procedures for the issuance of SIDs, pursuant to Convention No. 185 otherwise known as the Seafarers’ Identity Documents Convention (Revised), 2003, as amended.

Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) Administrator Robert Empedrad said this is a “positive development, a significant step towards providing better security for Filipino seafarers, while transiting either to onsign or offsign their ships, or while they are on shore leave in various ports of the world.”

The Philippines was included in the ILO list following comprehensive documentation of the processes and procedures for SID issuance, which was evaluated by an independent body.

The SID is a maritime security document developed by the ILO as a response to the growing need for security at seaports as a consequence to series of terrorist attacks.

Together with the International Ship and Port Facility Security Code (ISPS), the SID is meant to address and resolve the continuing threat to the security of ships, passengers, and crew. The SID also serves as identifiable verification for seafarers while on shore leave and while they are transiting from one port to another for purposes of embarkation, disembarkation, and medical repatriation.

Empedrad said the Marina “remains committed in ensuring that Filipino seafarers are afforded the required security of their persons whenever they leave the Philippines to work on-board various ocean-going ships.”