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Republic of the Philippines Zs x
House of Representativeg$ RECEIVED 2
Quezon City, Metro Manila 42 DATBEP_0 8 2022 Fal

Nineteenth Congress
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No.4995

Introduced by Representative Khymer Adan T. Olaso

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The maritime profession is unique. Unlike all other professions, the skill
and competency requirements are universal and dictated by an international
convention of which the Philippines is a signatory, such as the “/nternational
Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping, 1978,
As Amended (STCW Convention).” The STCW Convention lays down
requirements that are basic and useful in attesting to the seafarer’s competency
and physical fitness.

In the Philippines, the maritime profession is regulated under Republic
Act No. 8544, otherwise known as the “Philippine Merchant Marine Officers
Act of 1998.” Section 14, paragraph (d) of this law requires that for the
applicants to qualify to take the licensure examinations for merchant marine
officer positions, they have to be graduates of Bachelor of Science in Maritime
Transportation or Bachelor of Science in Marine Engineering in a school,
academy, institute, college or university duly recognized by the Commission on
Higher Education (CHED). This is a requirement that is not in accordance with
the spirit of the STCW Convention. Filipino citizens who are already holders of
a foreign license but did not graduate from a university, academy or institution
recognized by the CHED cannot apply for and be issued a license in the
Philippines because of this requirement.

This bill seeks to allow Filipino citizens who are holders of a foreign
license but who did not graduate from the local educational institution, to secure
a license for merchant marine officer positions provided that such applicants
have completed the prescribed review course in a school, academy, institute,



college or university duly recognized by the Maritime Industry Authority
(MARINA).

The rapid evolution of technology and development in the maritime
industry calls for a change in the way that maritime education, training, and
licensing be viewed and considered. The STCW Convention is best at adapting
to these rapid changes by being abreast of the present requirements brought
about by new technologies.

Republic Act No. 10635 established the MARINA as the single maritime
administration responsible for the implementation and enforcement of the 1978
international convention on standards of training, certification and
watchkeeping for seafarers. In fulfilling this role, MARINA shall ensure that
the examination, licensing and certification system for marine deck and engine
officers are in accordance with the requirements prescribed under the STCW
Convention.

In view of the foregoing, the urgent passage of this bill is earnestly

sought.

ia

'YMER ADAN T. OLASO
Ré¢presentative
1% District, Zamboanga City


eI ANeYnR—

Republic of the Philippines

House of Representatives
Quezon City, Metro Manila

Nineteenth Congress
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO," * 4595

Introduced by Representative Khymer Adan T. Olaso

AN ACT
ALLOWING FILIPINO MERCHANT MARINE OFFICERS WITH
FOREIGN LICENSE TO TAKE LICENSURE EXAMINATION FOR
MERCHANT MARINE OFFICERS IN THE PHILIPPINES AMENDING
FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8544, OTHERWISE
KNOWN AS THE “PHILIPPINE MERCHANT MARINE OFFICERS ACT
OF 1998”

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in
Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Section 14 of Republic Act No. 8544 is amended to read as
follows:

“SEC. 14. Qualification of applicant for Examination. —
Every applicant for examination shall establish the following
requisites:

(a) He is a citizen of the Philippines;

(b) He is of good moral character;

(c) He has met standards of medical fitness, particularly

with good eyesight and hearing as certified by a Department of


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Health (DOH) accredited medical institution conducting physical and
medical examinations for seafarers;

(d) In the case of Marine Deck/Engineer Officer, he must
be a graduate of the Bachelor of Science in Maritime Transportation
or Bachelor of Science in Marine Engineering in a school, academy,
institute, college or university duly recognized by the Commission
on Higher Education (CHED);

(e) For an applicant taking the examination, other than that
for the Marine Deck/Engineer Officer, he must have completed in
course approved by the appropriate government agency, as defined
in the rules and regulations implementing this Act.

“AN APPLICANT WHO IS A FILIPINO CITIZEN,
HOLDER OF A LICENSE AS A MARINE DECK OR
ENGINEER OFFICER ISSUED BY A FOREIGN COUNTRY
BUT NOT A GRADUATE OF THE BACHELOR OF SCIENCE
IN MARITIME TRANSPORTATION OR BACHELOR OF
SCIENCE IN MARINE ENGINEERING IN A SCHOOL,
ACADEMY, INSTITUTE, COLLEGE OR UNIVERSITY
DULY RECOGNIZED BY THE CHED, MAY BE ALLOWED
TO TAKE THE LICENSURE EXAMINATION IN THE
PHILIPPINES: PROVIDED, THAT SUCH FOREIGN

LICENSED APPLICANT HAS COMPLETED THE


PRESCRIBED REVIEW COURSE AND TRAINING IN A

SCHOOL, ACADEMY, INSTITUTE, COLLEGE OR

UNIVERSITY DULY RECOGNIZED BY THE MARITIME

INDUSTRY AUTHORITY.”

SEC. 2. All laws, rules, regulations, presidential decrees, and other
issuances inconsistent with any of the provisions of this Act are hereby deemed
repealed or amended accordingly.

SEC. 3. Within sixty (60) days from the approval of this Act, the
MARINA shall promulgate the necessary rules and regulations for the effective
implementation of this Act.

SEC. 4. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication
in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,