The Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA), through its Regional Office I and II, successfully issued the first Certification, Authentication, and Verification (CAV) documents following the formal transfer of responsibility for maritime education functions to MARINA pursuant to Republic Act No. 12021, or the Magna Carta of Filipino Seafarers.
The issuance marked a significant milestone in the implementation of MARINA Advisory No. 2026-03, which provides the guidelines on the application, processing and issuance of Special Order (SO) and CAV. Under the advisory, MARINA assumed full jurisdiction over these processes as part of the transition of maritime education oversight from the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) to MARINA.
The CAVs were processed through MARINA’s official digital platforms, in line with the Authority’s modernization and digitalization program.
All CAV applicants were required to register and apply through the MeCAV System, ensuring secure, transparent, and efficient processing.
The issuance was carried out free of charge, consistent with MARINA’s commitment to accessible public service. Under the said Advisory, all applications for SO and CAV shall be processed exclusively through MARINA’s online systems, reinforcing standardized procedures nationwide and strengthening document integrity and verification.
The successful issuance by Regional Offices I and II demonstrated MARINA’s operational readiness and the effective decentralization of services to regional offices.
