(DOTC logo)
MANILA (Mabuhay) – The implementing rules and regulation (IRR) for Republic Act 10635 was approved by the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC).
The legislation empowers the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) as the sole administrator in the enforcement of Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW) for Seafarers.
The agency is set to create a technical working group with the concerned government agencies and other stakeholders.
Under Republic Act 10635, MARINA assumes “all powers and functions of the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC), Commission on Higher Education (CHED), Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), Department of Health (DOH), and National Telecommunications Commission (NTC), relative to the issuance, validation, verification, correction, revocation or cancellation of certificates of competency, endorsement or cancellation of certificates of competency, endorsement, proficiency and documentary evidence required of all seafarers and all such other matters pertaining to the implementation of…the STCW Convention 1978.”
“This development in the Philippine maritime industry is a step towards a stronger maritime nation that moves the world,” said MARINA administrator Maximo Q. Mejia, Jr.
“MARINA is empowered to ensure that the certificates issued to Filipino seafarers are accepted by the maritime administrations and industry stakeholders around the world at its face value, a certificate backed by a credible, responsible, and high quality monitoring system,” he concluded. (MNS)