Congress OKs creation of single maritime agency

The House of Representatives and the Senate last week passed on third and final reading a bill seeking to create a single maritime administration and  streamline all government administrative functions for the training and certification of millions of Filipino seafarers registered with the Maritime Industry Authority (Marina).

The seafarers industry is estimated to contribute about $5 billion yearly to the Philippine economy.

House Bill 3766 authored by Angkla partylist Rep. Jesulito A. Manalo and  Senate Bill No. 2043, authored by Senate President Franklin Drilon, were both approved on Feb. 10. The bill is expected to be signed into law by President Benigno Aquino III by the end of the month.

The legislative measure designates Marina as the single and central maritime administration responsible for the enforcement of international agreements of covenants governing the country’s global maritime professionals.

Marina will assume all the powers and functions of the Professional Regulation Commission,  Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, Commission on Higher Education, National Telecommunications Commission, and the Department of Health relative to the issuance, validation, verification, correction, revocation or cancellation of certificates of competency, proficiency, endorsement and other documentary evidence required of all seafarers.

Marina will also be mandated to ensure that the examination, licensing and certification system for marine deck and engine officers are in accordance with the requirements prescribed under the 1978 International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (SCTW).

The measure is expected to ensure the job security of some 80,000 Filipino seafarers and prevent them from being banned from working in European Union-registered vessels.

Drilon said the enactment of the measure would not only guarantee the continued employment of our seafarers, but would also protect our position in the seafarer industry, where Filipino workers were often favored due to their skills and work ethic.

“But more than ensuring our compliance, the passage of this bill will assure that the skills of our seafarers are properly honed through continuous training and updating of the curriculum to be administered by Marina,” Drilon said.

Manalo added that the approval of the proposed legislation would reinforce the Philippines’ commitment and full adherence to the International Maritime Organization (IMO), a United Nations specialized agency responsible for the safety and security of shipping.

“Once signed, the law ultimately ensures that Filipinos remain the seafarers of choice in the world,” Manalo said.