TO                  :       All Concerned
 
SUBJECT     :      Adoption of E-Receipt System for the Processing of Employment Contracts for Seafarers


Pursuant to the E-Link for OFWs project of the Department of Labor and Employment and the thrust of the Administration to streamline processes and requirements to facilitate the mobilization of Filipino seafarers onboard foreign going vessels of accredited foreign shipping principals and employers, the E-Receipt system shall be implemented for Filipino seafarers documented at the POEA Central Office.

The E-Receipt system is envisioned to facilitate the processing of seafarers' employment documents and their mobilization through electronic connectivity. The E-Receipt, which takes the place of the overseas employment certificate (OEC), indicates the name of the seafarer, manning agency and principal. The Official Receipt Number/Serial Number shall replace the OEC number. The E-Receipt comes in 5 copies, one copy each for seafarer, airline (for travel tax exemption) airport (for exemption from payment of terminal fee) OWWA and POEA.

The system shall be pilot tested effective 12 November 2003. The use of OECs shall be an option if  technical problems will occur.

Consultations shall be made with the manning industry sector prior to the pilot test to present the procedural guidelines and follow-up dialogues shall be conducted to make further improvements on the new system, which will be in full implementation effective 08 December 2003.

For information and guidance of all concerned.

ROSALINDA DIMAPILIS-BALDOZ
Administrator