THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
First Regular Session 
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REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
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INTRODUCED BY HON. MANUEL B. VILLAR, JR. 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The Philippines is the world's top supplier of seafarers with more than 160,000 Filipinos 
employed on board vessels of various nationalities making the seafaring industry the Philippines' 
fourth major dollar earner. 
With the implementation of the revised Standard of Training, Certification and 
Watchkeeping (STCW) 1995 Convention for Seafarers, it is incumbent for signatory countries 
including the Philippines, the world's major source o f  seafarers, to fully comply with the 
Convention's standards on training and competency for maximum safety of the vessel, its cargo 
and passengers, and for the protection of the marine environment. 
The seafaring industry has played a major role in the economy of the country by 
generating badly needed dollars as well as employment for Filipinos, particularly seamen and 
staff/employees of manning companies and related sectors. In fact, this US$1.7 billion industry is 
still growing at a fast rate. To keep this industry a viable component of the Philippine economy, 
there is a need for all sectors of both government and the private sectors of the maritime industry 
to bond themselves together to enhance the duality of Filipino seafarers by complying strictly to 
the STCW standards on training and competency through information technology, especially on 
the use of computers and other modern shipboard communication equipment/facilities. 
This bill, therefore, seeks to "Enhance the Quality of Filipino Seafarers Through 
Information Technology'' to ensure the required training and competency of Filipino shipboard 
personnel to keep them more competitive in the global seamen market and to maintain the 
Philippines' position as the leading provider of seafarers in the international shipping community 
In view of the above, the urgent passage of the bill is hereby recommended. 


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THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
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REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
SENATE 
S. No. 
637 
INTRODUCED BY HON. MANUEL B. VILLAR, JR. 
AN ACT ENHANCING THE QUALITY OF FILIPINO S E A F U R S  THROUGH 
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled: 
SECTION 1. Title.-This act shall be known as "Enhancing the Quality of Filipino 
Seafarers Through Information Technology." 
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy.-It is hereby the policy of the State to afford full protection 
of labor, local and overseas, organized and unorganized, and promote hll employment and 
equality of employment opportunities for all. 
Pursuant to the foregoing state policy, the Philippines, through this Act, shall coordinate 
and institutionalize the existing government efforts in effecting meaningful programs on the 
education and training, deployment and the promotion of welfare of Filipino seafarers. 
SEC. 3. Revision of the Standard of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW) 
1978 Convention for Seafarers of the International Maritime Organization (IMO). As a maritime 
nation, the Philippines with a dynamic shipping industry has to keep abreast with the constantly 
changing technology of the international maritime industry. 
To ensure the continued growth and development of the seamen industry as a consistent 
top dollar earner of the Philippines, there is a need to enhance the skills and competency of 
Filipino seafarers to keep them in equal footing with their foreign counterparts in terms of 


advanced technical knowledge in the operation of high technology or automated ships and to 
maintain the country's position as the world's number one provider of seafarers. 
SEC. 4. Implementing Guidelines.-To fully accomplish the objectives of this Act, the 
following must be implemented to ensure Philippine compliance to the required standards of the 
STCW 1995 on the skills and competency of Filipino seafarers: 
1) 
officers to undertake basic computer training prior to taking their licensure examinations; 
The Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) should make mandatory for all marine 
2) 
Seafarers, particularly deck and engine officers, must be required to attend enhancement 
or upgrading programsheminars necessary in the discharge of their functions on board and in the 
augmentation of the STCW 1995 Convention requirements; 
3) 
The Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) as the designated "Administration" as far 
as seafarers regulation and promotion are concerned especially those related with the STCW 
Convention should: 
a) Classify the training needs of seafarer's according to positions; and 
b) Prepare a listing of training requirements for each seafarer for each type of vessel with 
emphasis on information technology. 
4) In line with the computer literacy program for seafarers the following programs must be 
implemented: 
a) Appreciation of basic disciplines such as Math, Science, and Technology in basic education; 
b) Offering of computer courses in maritime schools; 
c) Offering of computer-based instruction in maritime training centers; and 
d) Familiarization of seafarers on the latest technology in shipping operations. 


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5) The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) and/or manning agencies be 
required to allocate the needed budget for computer-literacy courses for seafarers; 
6) The government and private manning companies should work hand-in-hand to meet the 
requirements of the STCW 1995; 
7) 
The national government should conduct an intensive information campaign on the 
requirements of STCW 1995 which includes the publication of journal/letters to be sent to 
manning companies for distribution to their principal's vessels; and 
8) A networking system be established among the different maritime related agencies to boost 
their exchange of information technology. 
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SEC. 5. Penal Provisions.-Any person, association, corporation or entity who violates any 
provision of this Act, or the rules and regulations made thereof shall upon conviction be punished 
or fined according to the degree of offenses as the court or adjudication, administration may 
impose in accordance with existing civil or penal laws of the Philippines: Provided, That in case 
the violation is committed by an association, corporation or entity, the prescribed penalty shall be 
imposed on the responsible officers, directors, and/or owner of said entities. 
SEC. 6. Appropriation. - The amount necessary for the implementation of this Act shall 
be included in the annual General Appropriations Act. 
SEC. 7. Effectivity. --This Act shall take effect after its publication in at least two (2) 
national newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved,