IN a bid to reduce the number of seafarers lining up for documents in its Manila headquarters, the Maritime Industry Authority-Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping Office (Marina-STCWO) announced it is now in the initial steps of devolving the function to its regional offices, Marina-STCWO Head Chief Mate Michael Esplago said.
“Regional offices are now processing Certificate of Proficiency [COP]. Although the central office is the only one handling the processing of Certificate of Competency [COC], we [now] have an infrastructure on how we can handle the processing needs of the seafarers,” he added.
Esplago also said that by early 2016, the Marina-STCWO will have a few sites dedicated for this purpose, and that they are only waiting for computers and other equipment, which will make processing the documents of seaferers easier and more convenient.
“We are now trying to increase the capacity of the central and regional office, as well as to increase public dissemination,” he added.