Question & AnswerQ&A (POEA GOVERNING BOARD Resolution NO. 05 s. 1993)
The Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC) is a document issued to all duly processed seafarers, serving as an exit pass and a travel tax exemption certificate as per the Rules and Regulations Implementing the Restructuring of Travel Tax Exemptions jointly developed by POEA-DOLE, DOT, and DOF in 1989.
The Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Department of Tourism (DOT), and Department of Finance (DOF) are jointly involved in the issuance and regulation of the OEC.
Before the extension, the validity period for the OEC was thirty (30) days for officers and forty-five (45) days for ratings as provided under POEA Memorandum Circular No. 76, Series of 1989.
The OEC validity period for both officers and ratings was extended to sixty (60) days.
The extension was needed because manning agencies reported inconvenience due to the limited validity of the OEC, particularly in relation to visa issuance for seafarers, and to prevent seafarers from being tied to a single manning agency for an extended period without just compensation.
The main purpose of the OEC is to serve as an exit pass for seafarers and as a certificate for travel tax exemptions.
This resolution applies to all duly processed seafarers, both officers and ratings.
The OEC serves as a travel tax exemption certificate for seafarers, allowing them to be exempted from paying travel tax when leaving the country for overseas employment.
POEA Memorandum Circular No. 76, Series of 1989 was referenced regarding the original validity periods of the OEC.
The resolution was adopted on March 4, 1993.