MANILA CITY, Philippines — As part of its commitment to shaping global maritime standards, the Philippine Working Group on Phase 2 of the Comprehensive Review of the STCW Convention and Code (PH-WG-STCW), led by the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) through its STCW Office, held a three-day roundtable discussion (RTD) on 14–15 and 19 May 2025 to support the country’s participation in the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) ongoing review process.
This initiative came in response to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive to uphold the welfare of Filipino seafarers by ensuring that international maritime regulations reflect the realities and aspirations of the Philippine maritime sector.
Held in a structured, chapter-focused format, the RTD zeroed in on key provisions of the Convention. Day 1 delved into Chapter I on oversight and verification, and Chapter II on the deck department. Day 2 tackled Chapter III, which addresses the engine department, along with emerging issues related to alternative fuels.
In his opening remarks, STCW Office Executive Director Samuel L. Batalla stressed the importance of the Philippines’ engagement in the global review, pointing to the country’s strategic position in the global seafaring workforce. He highlighted MARINA’s commitment to a consultative process that not only meets international obligations but also advances the welfare of Filipino seafarers.
“Each session is not only timely but essential, as we consider the implications of technological change, environmental responsibility, and the ever-increasing global expectations placed on our seafarers,” Batalla said. “This roundtable discussion is more than a compliance exercise. It is a moment for reflection, for collaboration, and for vision. Behind every amendment we draft lies a bigger purpose—supporting the Filipino seafarer.”
Maritime Education and Training Standards Supervisor (METSS) Ms. Presca Lee B. Lugo set the tone for the three-day activity by outlining the objectives and timeline of the IMO’s comprehensive review. She recapped the outcomes of Phase 1 and emphasized the importance of Phase 2, which focuses on developing amendment proposals and evaluating their cumulative impact on training, education, and certification systems.
To streamline outputs, the MARINA STCW Office’s Working Committee introduced a session methodology that tasked participants with identifying policy gaps, prioritizing issues, and drafting proposals using a customized worksheet. In Session 1, groups revisited Phase 1 findings and contextualized them for the Philippine setting. The resulting discussions, which ran longer than expected, concluded with group presentations. Session 2 proceeded with the development of amendment proposals, complete with justifications and implementation considerations, which participants later presented. In Session 3, the PH-WG-STCW assessed the cumulative impact of the proposals.
With this RTD, the PH-WG-STCW reinforced the Philippines’ proactive stance in international maritime policymaking, ensuring that the country’s voice remains clear and constructive in the ongoing global dialogue on the future of seafarer standards.
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