NOV 18, 2015

NR # 4022

Inquiry into complaints on MARINA Circulars

by Filipino seafarers sought
An in-depth congressional inquiry into the circulars and advisories issued by the
Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) is needed to ensure these policies are beneficial
to Filipino seafarers welfare and development, a lawmaker insists.
ANGKLA party-list Rep. Jesulito A. Manalo said the inquiry, in aid of legislation, is
meant to ensure that MARINAs mandate to fully enforce the International Convention on
Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW) are followed without
prejudice to the welfare Filipino seafarers.
Manalo filed HR 2457 which calls for an inquiry by the Committee on
Transportation on the propriety of the issuance and enforcement of circulars and
advisories by the MARINA in relation to its implementation of the STCW.
It is necessary to re-asses the propriety, necessity, and efficiency of the subject
circulars and advisory in order to rectify whatever prejudice they may be causing Filipino
seafarers, the author said.
He recalled that R.A. 10635, signed into law in March 2014, declared MARINA as
the single maritime administration empowered to enforce the STCW for all Filipino
seafarers.
Under R.A. 10635, MARINA is authorized to issue, and in fact issued, circulars
and advisories which it deemed necessary to ensure the full and appropriate
implementation of the STCW, Manalo pointed out.
He said among the circulars that the agency issued is MARINA Circular No. 201401, which enumerated requirements for seafarers who wish to secure certification for a
higher rank or position.
Part of Provision VI of the Circular mandates an Officer In Charge (OIC) to first
take an updating training for his rank before they can qualify to take a management level
course for the next rank, Manalo said.
However, he revealed that some OIC seafarers who sought clarification on Circular
2014-01 were likewise advised that they are required to first take the theoretical
examination in order to obtain their certification, which further caused confusion since the
said requirement is not found in the Circular itself.
Concerned seafarers object to the requirement of duplicitous training and level

courses, as well as the alleged taking of theoretical examination as the layered processes
of certification exhausts their time, effort, and money, Manalo revealed, echoing
seafarers sentiments.
Again, the agency issued STCW Circular 2014-02 which requires cadets to make a
Daily Journal (DJ) for Watchkeeping, which is an activity too taxing for a cadet to comply
with, as compared to the Deck or Engine Training Record Book previously required and
accepted, the author pointed out.
The imposed maintenance of a DJ caused numerous cadets to complain about the
time and effort that it would require of them to accomplish daily, he added.
There is also the MARINA issued STCW Circular 2014-08, which automatically
allows the revalidation of certifications of seafarers with functions of Office In Charge
Navigational Watch (OIC-NW) with proof of approved seagoing service for a period of 12
months in total during the preceding 5 years, or 3 months in total during the preceding 6
months immediately prior to revalidation.
Manalo added that in the absence of such seagoing service, the Circular under
Section 12, paragraph 12.1 (3), requires among others, the taking and passing of the
theoretical examination as a precondition for the revalidation of a seafarers certificate of
competency for OIC-NW.
Affected Filipino seafarers seeking revalidation of their certificates for OIC-NW
raised complaints against such pre-condition mentioned in Circular 2014-08, claiming that
the re-taking of the examination is too onerous for seafarers who have already passed the
said examination before and thus, were previously issued the essential certificates of
competency, the author explained.
There is also the STCW Advisory No. 2014-023, which mandates that effective
November 15 2015, all seafarers who are applying for their certificates of competency,
endorsement, and proficiency shall only be issued the applied certificates if they have
proof they have already complied with or undergone the essential updating/refresher
trainings, which trainings are required to be undertaken every five years under the 2010
STCW Manila Amendments.
Seafarers strongly object, saying it runs counter to the Transitory Provision of the
2010 STCW Manila amendments, which still allows revalidation of certificates, even
without the mandated updating/refresher trainings, until January 1, 2017, Manalo
explained.
While the author acknowledges MARINAs earnest efforts to comply with the
minimum requirements under the STCW Convention, he stressed that MARINA should
also ensure an effective information and consultation drive whereby they can directly heed
the suggestions, concerns, and questions raised by seafarers relative to these circulars and
advisories. (30) dpt