DFA launches e-Apostille for MARINA-issued docs

MANILA, June 26 ------ The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) will now start issuing e-Apostille for documents issued by the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA).

At a ceremony in Manila on Thursday, officials of the DFA and MARINA signed a memorandum of understanding to integrate the latter’s Maritime Education Certification, Authentication and Verification (MeCAV) system into the e-Apostille system. “The launch of the e-Apostille system for MARINA’s MeCAV is our contribution to making life easier for Filipino seafarers,” DFA Undersecretary Maria Theresa Dizon-De Vega said. “This initiative reflects our determination to streamline and simplify government processes, supporting our seafarers in their pursuit of opportunities for professional achievement,” she said.

Through the integration, MARINA-issued MeCAV documents can now be electronically transmitted to the DFA for Apostille processing without the need for physical submission of documents. The resulting e-Apostilled MeCAV is issued entirely in digital format and delivered directly to the applicant's registered email address.

Applicants and end-users may also verify the authenticity of the e-Apostilled MeCAV through the DFA e-Registry. As a fully digital document, the DFA said the e-Apostilled MeCAV carries full legal weight and eliminates the need for printed copies, reducing processing time and enhancing convenience for users.

The e-Apostille service may be accessed through the DFA e-Apostille Portal at apostille.gov.ph, while application process for the eApostille of MeCAV, may be accessed at https://mecav.marina.gov.ph/login. With this launch, De Vega said the processing would now take at least a day, down from the normal three-day processing period.

The e-Apostille for MARINA-related documents follows the DFA’s e-Apostille launch for Philippine Statistic Authority and Commission on Higher Education e-certificates early this year. It also coincides with the celebration of International Day of the Seafarers on June 25.

In a separate message, Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro honored all Filipino sailors and their contribution to maritime trade, while putting spotlight on the risk they face at sea, especially in key routes such as the Strait of Hormuz. “The Philippines reiterates its call for restraint, dialogue, and the peaceful settlement of disputes in accordance with international law. The safety, security, and welfare of seafarers must remain a paramount consideration in all efforts to preserve the stability of global shipping and international commerce,” she said.

According to MARINA, there are about 1.2 million Filipino seafarers with valid identity documents, at least 800,000 of whom possess certificates that allow them to sail abroad.

Source: pna.gov.ph