Good news, College of Maritime Studies (CMS) alumni!

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Arthur Tugade declared recently that the seaman’s book is now free to first-time applicants, while there is a 50% discount in renewal as the agency’s assistance to Filipino seafarers.

Tugade said that the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) has approved the revised pricing of seaman’s book – also known as the seafarer’s identification and record book – and that it will be in effect for the rest of Rodrigo Duterte’s term as president.

“Ito ‘ho ang tulong natin sa seafarers, ito ‘ho ang isang tulong natin sa ating mga bayani habang may pandemya,” Tugade explained.

He said that the MARINA board approved the renewal discount extension until December 2022.

The seaman’s book was previously priced between P1,000 to P1,800.

A seaman’s book, similar to a passport, is a comprehensive document that details a seafarer’s professional life and is a standardized requirement for the profession.

It includes details such as where, when, how, and which vessel a seafarer served on, as well as other personally identifiable information./Alden John Tubale