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Republic of the Philippines TIME:_%

House of Representatives NY:
Quezon City, Metro Manila SS. INDE “es

Nineteenth Congress
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No. 4594

Introduced by Representative Khymer Adan T. Olaso

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill seeks to include oral qualifying examinations for the marine deck
and engine officers, amending for the purpose Republic Act (RA) No. 10635,
entitled “An Act Establishing the Maritime Industry Authority (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, as amended, and International
Agreements or Covenants Related Thereto.”

Section 2, Article II of the 1987 Constitution states that the Philippines adopts
the generally accepted principles of international law as part of the law of the land.

The Intemational Maritime Organization adopted the International
Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW) for
Seafarers on 7 July 1978, which took effect on 28 April 1984. In May 1984, the
Philippines, as a maritime country, acceded and signed the Convention.

Article 1 of the Convention provides that State parties, including the
Philippines, must take all necessary steps to ensure that seafarers are qualified and
fit to perform their tasks, duties and responsibilities in various legitimate ship
operations, including the safety of life and property at sea and the protection of the
marine environment.

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RA 10635 established the MARINA as the single maritime administration
responsible for the implementation and enforcement of the 1978 STCW, as
amended, for seafarers and international agreements or covenants. One of the powers
and functions of MARINA is 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 STCW Convention, as amended.

According to the STCW Convention, all marine officers shall ensure that they
have completed an approved education and training on the basis of the competency
standards specified in the STCW Code, as amended. All education and training
programs leading to their Certificates of Competency, including the upgrading of
their Certificates of Competency, shall be mapped to the said Code and approved by
the MARINA.

Hence, this proposed bill seeks to include the qualifying oral examinations for
aspiring marine deck and engine officers in order to enhance the quality and
competency of these candidates both in the national and international maritime
industry.

The oral examinations will complement the existing theoretical examination
and practical assessment requirements. It will also ensure that Filipino marine deck
and engine officers possess adequate knowledge and good command of the English
language that is necessary in the international maritime industry.

The proposed measure will set professional standards and strengthen the
selection process which in effect would produce competent marine officers, whose
laudable contribution to the country’s economy cannot be overemphasized.

In view of the foregoing, the immediate approval of this bill is earnestly

sought.
0.
IHYMER ADAN T. OLASO

presentative
If" District, Zamboanga City


Republic of the Philippines

House of Representatives
Quezon City, Metro Manila

Nineteenth Congress
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No. 4594

Introduced by Representative Khymer Adan T. Olaso

AN ACT

INCLUDING ORAL QUALIFYING EXAMINATIONS FOR MARINE
DECK AND ENGINE OFFICERS, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE
REPUBLIC ACT 10635, ENTITLED “AN ACT ESTABLISHING THE
MARITIME INDUSTRY AUTHORITY (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, AS
AMENDED, AND INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENTS OR COVENANTS
RELATED THERETO”

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

SECTION 1. Section 4(c)1 of Republic Act No. 10635 is hereby amended to
read as follows:

“SEC. 4. Powers and Functions of the MARINA. — x x x:

“(a)x XX;


“() Xxx;
“() xxx:

“(1) The MARINA shall ensure that the examination, licensing
and certification system for marine deck and engine officers, WHICH
CONSISTS OF ORAL AND WRITTEN THEORETICAL AND
PRACTICAL TESTS, are in accordance with the requirements
prescribed under the STCW Convention. All powers, duties and
functions of the PRC on examination, licensing and certification system
for marine deck and engine officers as provided in Republic Act No.
8544, otherwise known as “The Philippine Merchant Marine Officers
Act of 1998,” shall henceforth be exercised by the MARINA. The
compensation and allowances of the Board of Marine Deck Officers
and Marine Engine Officers under Article IV, Section 8 of Republic
Act No. 8544 shall, however, be comparable to the compensation and
allowances being received by the chairpersons and members of other
existing regulatory boards under the PRC and as provided in the

General Appropriations Act.”

SEC. 2. All laws, executive orders, issuances, rules and regulations, or parts

inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.


SEC. 3. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the
Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,