SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
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First Regular Session 
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SEP 11 
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SENATE 
Senate Bill No. 1637 
INTRODUCED BY SEN. JINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Due to the country's archipelagic nature, marine transportation plays a 
pivotal role in the commercial life of the nation. Yet it is this very same nature of 
our marine system which play host to a number of marine tragedies which at 
times cannot be avoided. 
This bill therefore provides for the mechanism for the mandatory reporting 
of marine casualties so as to ensure the delivery of adequate remedy to poor 
victims of marine accidents. 
Immediate passage of this bill is thus earnestly recommended. 
OY EJERCITO ESTRADA 
Senator 


SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
SENATE 
) 
) 
) 
Senate Bill No. 1637 
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'13 
SEP 11 
P 2 :37 
INTRODUCED BY SEN. JINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA 
AN ACT 
REQUIRING MANDATORY REPORTING OF .MARINE CASUAL TIES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines 
in Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Short Title - This Act shall be known as "Marine Casualties 
Management and Reporting Act". 
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy.- It is hereby declared to be the policy of 
the State to provide adequate remedy to the victims of marine accidents by 
requiring mandatory reporting of marine casualties. 
SEC. 3. Procedure. -
a) Marine Casualties and Reporting. - The Secretary of Transportation and 
Communications, hereinafter referred to as the Secretary, shall prescribe 
regulations on the marine casualties to be reported and the manner of 
reporting. The regulations shall require the following marine casualties: 
1) death of an individual; 
2) serious injury to an individual; 
3) material loss of property; 
4) material damage affecting the seaworthiness or efficiency of the 
vessel; and, 
5) significant harm to the environment 
b) A marine casualty shall be reported within five (5) days from the 
occurrence of a marine accident Each report shall include information as 
to the causes of the accident and whether the use of alcohol or liquor 
contributed to the casualty. 
c) A marine casualty not resulting in the death of an individual shall be 
classified according to the gravity of the casualty, as prescribed by 
regulation, giving consideration to the extent of injuries to individuals, the 
extent of property damage, the dangers that the casualties create, the 
size, .occupation and means of propulsion of each vessel involved. 


d) The Secretary shall collect, analyze and publish reports, information and 
statistics 
on 
marine 
casualties 
together 
with 
findings 
and 
recommendations the Secretary deems appropriate. 
SEC. 4. Investigation of Marine Casualties.- The Secretary shall 
prescribe regulations for the immediate investigation of marine casualties under 
this Act, as closely as possible-
1. the cause of the casualty, including the cause of any death; 
2. whether 
an 
act 
or 
misconduct, 
incompetence, 
negligence, 
unskillfulness or willful violation of law committed by any individual 
licensed, certified, or documented under this Act, has contributed to 
the cause of the casualty, or to a death involved in the casualty, so that 
appropriate remedial action may be taken; 
3. whether an act of misconduct, incompetence, negligence, unskillfihess 
or willful violation of law committed by any person, including an officer, 
employee or member of the Philippine Coast Guard, contributed to the 
cause of the casualty, or to a death involved in the casualty. 
4. whether there is evidence that an act subjecting the offender to a fine 
under the laws of the Philippines has been committed, so that 
appropriate action may be undertaken to collect the appropriate fine. 
5. whether there is evidence that a criminal act under the laws of the 
. Philippines has been committed, the matter may; be referred to the 
appropriate authorities for prosecution; and 
6. whether there is a need for new taws or regulations, or amendment or 
repeal of existing laws or regulations, to prevent the recurrence of the 
casualty. 
SEC. 5. Public Investigations.- Each investigation prescribed and 
conducted under this Act shall be open to the public, except when affecting the 
national security is to be received. 
SEC. 6. Rights of Parties in Interest- In an investigation under this Act, 
the following shall be allowed to be represented by counsel, to crossexamine 
witness and·to call witnesses: 
1.owner; 
2. any holder of license or certificate of registry; 
3. any holder of a merchant marine's document; 
4. any other person whose conduct is under investigation; and, 
5. any other party of interest. 
SEC. 7. Separability Clause. If any provision, or part hereof, is held 
invalid or unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision shall remain 
valid and subsisting. 
SEC. 8. Repealing Clause. Any law, presidential decree or issuance, 
executive order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation 
contrary to inconsistent with, the provision of this Act is hereby repealed, 
modified or amended accordingly. 


SEC. 9. Effectivity Clause. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days 
after its publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved,