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

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

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.