Question & AnswerQ&A (POEA MEMORANDUM CIRCULAR NO. 23, series of 1997)
It grants exemption from POEA Memorandum Circular No. 20, series of 1997, relating to the conduct of the Pre-Departure Orientation Seminar (PDOS) by manning agencies.
The memorandum was issued by the POEA Administrator, Felicisimo O. Joson.
Manning agencies are granted exemption from MC No. 20, subject to certain conditions related to the conduct of the PDOS.
1) The PDOS conducting entity must be a member of an existing organization of crewing agencies; 2) Tie-up for conducting PDOS is limited to two manning agencies who are fellow members of the association/organization; 3) The arrangement is valid only until an accredited association or NGO can conduct PDOS.
PDOS stands for Pre-Departure Orientation Seminar, a seminar required for overseas Filipino sea-based workers before deployment.
Because of the absence of organizations in the manning sector with accredited PDOS programs authorized to conduct the seminar for their members.
The tie-up for conducting the PDOS by each entity shall be limited to two manning agencies who are fellow members in their particular association or organization.
Until an association of manning agencies and/or any NGO with special concern for seafarers secures accreditation to conduct PDOS for sea-based workers.
The memorandum does not explicitly state penalties, but non-compliance may imply non-qualification for exemption and subject to existing POEA rules.
The memorandum took effect immediately upon its adoption on December 23, 1997.