Dennis Gasgonia

Article (news)

Zen Hernandez

ABS-CBN News

MANILA — The Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) and the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Thursday signed an agreement integrating their digital systems, to speed up the authentication of documents needed by Filipino seafarers and maritime graduates seeking opportunities abroad. The Memorandum of Agreement, signed during the Day of the Filipino Seafarer 2026 celebration, will connect the DFA’s eApostille System with MARINA’s Maritime Electronic Certification, Authentication and Verification (MeCAV) System. Under the agreement, the DFA will be able to verify the authenticity of Certification, Authentication and Verification (CAV) documents directly through MARINA’s digital platform, while MARINA will provide real-time access to records intended for overseas use.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/5/2/around-1-300-filipino-seafarers-have-safely-crossed-hormuz-strait-cacdac-1219">Around 1,300 Filipino seafarers have safely crossed Hormuz strait – Cacdac </a> </div>DFA Undersecretary Maria Theresa Dizon-De Vega said the integration will reduce the time spent by applicants processing documents.“From a three-day processing period, kung dun sa lumang sistema ‘no... ngayon po, one na lang po. One day na lang po sya,” Dizon-De Vega told reporters after the signing. The DFA said the shift to a digital platform would also make the process more secure.“Certainly, anything that is on a digital platform is faster, easier. It’s tamper-proof, it’s very secure, and also very efficient for our kababayans,” she said. “Importante ho kasi dito pagkalabas po ng dokumento from MARINA, with the DFA apostille, then you have a very secure document which can be used and accepted overseas. So, malaking bagay po sa ating mga seafarers, who are hired by many global shipping companies.”MARINA Administrator Sonia Malaluan explained that authenticated documents are often required for recognition abroad. “Yung ating mga dokumento issued in the Philippines, particularly in relation to mga nakakatapos tayo, yung mga nakaka-graduate no, para ma-recognize sya sa ibang bansa hinahanapan po ng authentication from the Department of Foreign Affairs,” she said.The agreement comes months after MARINA assumed jurisdiction over maritime education under the Magna Carta of Filipino Seafarers.Malaluan said MARINA immediately implemented an electronic version of the CAV, a document previously issued by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) for maritime graduates.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/5/8/filipino-seafarers-detained-in-us-brought-back-to-ph-consul-general-0822">Filipino seafarers detained in US, brought back to PH — consul general </a> </div>Under the new setup, maritime graduates can apply online for a CAV and have it processed for apostille services electronically. “Before kasi pipila sila sa CHED, pipilla sila sa DFA. Ngayon po, online din sa MARINA. Mag-apply sila, in the convenience of their maybe kitchens, wherever, and then didiretso po doon sa, may e-apostille na siya,” Malaluan said.She described the apostille as the digital equivalent of the old “red ribbon” authentication previously attached to documents. “So wala na po tayong makikita mga red ribbon sa document, but the e-Apostille will be attached to that particular document,” she said.MARINA is the third agency to conncet to the DFA’s fully digitalized eApostille system, following the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) and CHED.MARINA estimates that demand for the service will increase as more maritime graduates complete their studies.“Kumbaga lahat na ng mga estudyanteng makakatapos nung BSMT at BSMarE kukuha nito after nung kanilang graduation,” Malaluan said, estimating that around 3,000 to 5,000 maritime students graduate per school year. On the sidelines of the Day of the Filipino Seafarer celebration, MARINA also signed a separate agreement with Norway-based digital learning company MINTRA aimed at strengthening maritime education and workforce development.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/2/10/dmw-chief-seeks-stronger-tripartite-dialogue-protection-for-filipino-seafarers-1941">DMW chief seeks stronger tripartite dialogue, protection for Filipino seafarers</a></div>Under the memorandum of understanding, MARINA and MINTRA will collaborate on digital learning, human capital development, upskilling and reskilling programs, and other training initiatives designed to enhance the skills and employability of Filipino maritime professionals.The partnership will also explore research and development projects, emerging maritime technologies, green shipping, gender inclusion, and the adoption of digital solutions in maritime education and training. Malaluan said MARINA continues to prioritize digitalization, automation, and decarbonization initiatives to ensure Filipino seafarers remain competitive in the global labor market.The MARINA chief also pointed to continuing opportunities for Filipino seafarers overseas despite challenges facing the global shipping industry.“There are estimates under the Baltic International, the BIMCO,” she said, referring to industry projections of a shortage of maritime officers. “As of now, we have one 1 million, around 1.2 na (Filipino) seafarers with valid identity document. Out of the 1.2 we have more than 800,000 with certificates, meaning if they have the certificates they are qualified to go abroad, and our deployment now is like less than 600,000.”

The Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) and the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Thursday signed an agreement integrating their digital systems, to speed up the authentication of documents needed by Filipino seafarers and maritime graduates seeking opportunities abroad.

The Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) and the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Thursday signed an agreement integrating their digital systems, to speed up the authentication of documents needed by Filipino seafarers and maritime graduates seeking opportunities abroad.

MARINA, DFA link digital systems to speed up authentication of seafarers’ documents

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MARINA, DFA link digital systems to speed up authentication of seafarers’ documents

Zen Hernandez,

ABS-CBN News

Published June 25, 2026 10:34 PM PHT

Read More:

Pinoy seafarers

DFA

MARINA

apostille

CAV

Maria Theresa Dizon-De Vega

Sonia Malaluan

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