News
MARINA
clarifies
licensure
examination
issue
MANILA, Philippines. The
Maritime Industry Authority
(MARINA) dismissed reports
that it is scrapping the licensure
examination for seafaring
professionals once it assumed
the function of the Professional
Regulation Commission (PRC) by
the last week of November.
12
T
he transfer of PRC functions to the maritime
agency was sanctioned by Republic Act
10635.
Maximo Mejia, Jr., MARINA administrator,
said licensure test for both marine engine
and deck officers will continue to determine
the theoretical knowledge of these individuals in their
chosen profession.
But for purposes of international employment
and STCW (Standards of Training, Certification and
Watchkeeping) compliance, the so-called “certificate
of competency” (COC) will be suffice as it is the only
document required by international manning bodies to
determine the professional skill of mariners worldwide.
Mejia said that this practice is sanctioned and
approved by the STCW and other maritime regulatory
bodies.
“We will conduct licensure tests for the practical
assessment and employment purposes, the COCs are
more than enough,” he added.
Under Republic Act 10635, MARINA assumes
“all powers and functions of the Professional
Regulation Commission, Commission on Higher
Education, Technical Education and Skills
Development Authority, Department of Health
and National Telecommunications Commission,
relative to the issuance, validation, verification,
correction, revocation or cancellation of certificates
of competency, endorsement or cancellation of
certificates of competency, endorsement, proficiency
and documentary evidence required of all seafarers and
all such other matters pertaining to the implementation
of…the STCW Convention 1978.”(PNA)