TIM eMagazine Vol.1 Issue 1
body. It could also mean that an
implementation procedures are
owner of a manning agency has
not in sync with each other and
direct links with the monitoring
create different interpretations.
or certifying body.
An example is when Agency
“We have removed conflicts
A says training on-board a
of interests to ensure the
domestic inter-island vessel is
integrity of the COCs issued by
acceptable while Agency B says
the Philippine government is
only international on-board
not compromised,’’ Mejia said.
training is the only acceptable
According to him, corrective
procedure, While there is
measures were undertaken
really no contradiction, the
by MARINA, even if it means
implementation of the training
causing discomforts to some
procedures and policy are not
stakeholders in the industry.
synchronized with each other.
Safety -oriented, quality
Last year between July and
training and maintaining
October, weekly meetings among
competency levels at par with
the concerned agencies were conducted
international standards are musts in the
to come up with a one-standard policy
seafaring industry. Corrective measures
on training procedures to avoid different
“Maritime
were adopted to ensure impartial
interpretations. Only one standard
schools must
monitoring and assessment of all levels
operating procedure must be maintained
in the training, examination, evaluation,
and followed.
not sell empty
implementation and certification.
Mejia further disclosed the Agency
dreams. These
Maritime schools deemed
as a result of Republic Act (R.A.)
substandard in training will not be
10635 is ready to take on its role as the
institutions
allowed to operate anymore unless they
Single Maritime Administration for the
must shape up
comply with the required educational
implementation and enforcement of the
for their own
standards. Courses offered must be
1978 STCW Convention as amended
in full compliance with the STCW
with the implementing rules and
good and for
standards. The Commission on
guidelines (IRR) in placed.
the industry,
Higher Education (CHED) upon the
Marina has in coordination
recommendation of Marina will not
Otherwise, they with the Commission on Higher
accredit substandard maritime training
Education (CHED) will monitor all
must ship out.”
institutions. Only competent schools
maritime training schools to ensure
may be allowed to operate. Presently
the educational system and quality
only seven (7) percent of examinees pass
standards of training are at par with
and get their COCs out of a total of 30,000-40,000
EMSA-STCW standards. Training institutes who fail
graduates. Only the cream of the crop passed the exams.
to pass the standards set will not be allowed to operate
Quality maritime training is not only a safety issue but a
anymore.
moral issue.
“As was observed by EMSA , the MLC curriculum
“Maritime schools must not sell empty dreams. These
is way below the level in content and form under the
institutions must shape up for their own good and for
IMO model courses. In October 2013, a comprehensive
the industry, Otherwise, they must ship