The Department of Transportation (DOTr) said first-time seafarers can now get their seaman's book for free, in a bid to relieve their financial burden amid the prevailing coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.
This was announced by Transportation Secretary Arthur P. Tugade during President Duterte's "Talk to the People" briefing last Monday night, Jan. 24, shortly after the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) approved the DOTr's proposal to release the seaman’s book free of charge.
"Yung mga first-time seamen na kukuha ng seaman’s book, ang halaga nito P1,000 to P1,800 depende kung saan mo kukunin, libre na po iyon dito sa termino ninyo, Mr. President (The seaman’s book costs around P1,000 to P1,800 and first-time seamen can get it for free now in your term, Mr. President)," Tugade said.
"Parang tulong sa mga seamen. Kapag kinuha na nila iyong seamen’s certificate for the first time, libre na po iyon (This is our help to the seaman. When they get their seaman's certificate for the first time, it is already free)," he added.
Meanwhile, for those who would renew their seaman’s book, Tugade said that they will offer a 50 percent discount until December 2022.
"Ang tanong, papaano naman yung nag-renew? Inapprove din po ng MARINA board ang 50 percent discount until December of this year. Ito po ang tulong natin sa seafarers (What about those who will renew? The MARINA board also approved the 50 percent discount until December of this year. This is our help to our seafarers),” he added.
The seaman's book is a major requirement to all seafarers issued by MARINA before a seafarer is authorized to work onboard a vessel.
The deployment of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), including seafarers, has been affected by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic due to work and travel restrictions being imposed by different countries.
However, the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) earlier said that the current demand for sea-based workers is almost up to the pre-pandemic levels, adding that many foreign ship owners preferred Filipino seafarers.