MARINA Press Release —
MANILA, PHILIPPINES — The Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) led today the signing of the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of the Executive Order No. 63 that further strengthens the authority of the MARINA as the single maritime administration, specifically in the implementation of the Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping (STCW) for Seafarers 1978, as amended.
In his statement, Administrator Rey Leonardo B Guerrero recognized the important roles that the CHED, DOH and PCG played in the completion of the IRR.
“For this the MARINA would like to thank the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and the Department of Health (DOH) for working and collaborating closely with the MARINA to achieve this milestone”, Guerrero said.
The IRR includes provisions for the following: maritime education, training and assessment of seafarers; the reconstitution of the Technical Panel of Maritime Education; standards for medical fitness and issuance of medical certificates, and control procedures for the STCW.
These provisions will ensure that the Philippines will continue to be compliant with the standard of competence and performance as provided by the STCW Convention and thereby secure the continued recognition of certificates of Filipino seafarers.
In the signed IRR, the MARINA shall be responsible for the preparation, evaluation, inspection and approval of maritime higher education programs, while both of the agencies shall jointly review of all existing policies, standards and guidelines governing maritime education programs.
MARINA, in coordination with CHED, shall also be responsible for the implementation of approved Maritime Higher Education Programs such as monitoring, verifying and surveillance.
Moreover, the MARINA and DOH shall jointly establish the policies and standards for medical fitness, requirements for recognition of medical practitioners and procedures for the issuance of medical certificate. Regular monitoring and surveillance of assessment activities conducted by recognized medical practitioners shall also be ensured by both agencies.
Finally, MARINA and PCG shall jointly establish the control procedures, without prejudice to the Port State Control functions of the PCG. For their part, the PCG shall verify Filipino cadets undergoing Shipboard Training onboard all ships calling Philippine ports.
On 21 September 2018, President Rodrigo Duterte signed the Executive Order No. 63 strengthening MARINA’s administrative power over the implementation of the STCW for Seafarers 1978, as amended.