Maritime
DOTr - MARINA commits
full compliance with IMO
standards to maintain “White
List” status
MARINA OIC
Administrator Vice
Admiral Narciso
Vingson Jr.
T
he Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Maritime
Industry Authority (MARINA) commit to fully comply with
the International Convention on Standards of Training,
Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW) for seafarers
to maintain its status in the International Maritime
Organization’s (IMO) “White List.”
The DOTr-MARINA is taking the necessary steps to
consistently improve the country’s maritime education,
training, examination, and assessment system.
According to DOTr Secretary Arthur Tugade, the MARINA should do its
utmost to ensure that the country’s status in the IMO remains.
DOTr Secretary
Arthur Tugade
“Dugo’t pawis ang puhunan ng ating mga marino sa kanilang trabaho.
Hindi matatawaran ang sakripisyo at karangalang ibinibigay nila sa bayan
kaya nararapat lang na dugo’t pawis din ang ipuhunan ng gobyerno
upang masigurong mananatili tayo sa IMO White List. Kailangang
protektahan natin ang kabuhayan at kapakanan ng ating mga marino,”
Secretary Tugade said.
Independent Evaluation as Part of Continuing Compliance
Starting April 2019, a panel of international maritime experts will
conduct an independent evaluation as part of the Philippines’ continuing
compliance with the pertinent provisions, particularly Regulation I/8 or in
the area of Quality Standards, of the International Convention on STCW,
1978, as amended.
As a State Party to the STCW Convention, the Philippines is mandated
to ensure that an evaluation is periodically undertaken by qualified
persons who are not involved in the implementation of this international
regulatory instrument in the country.
The evaluation is aimed at providing an independent assessment of
the effectiveness of the quality standard arrangements at all levels.
Meanwhile, MARINA OIC Administrator Vice Admiral Narciso Vingson
Jr. is confident that the evaluation of the country’s STCW system will
solidify the Philippines inclusion in the “White List” of the IMO.
“Our engagement with the professional services of independent
evaluators shows our full efforts in maintaining our seafarer’s reputation
worldwide as a dependable maritime workforce. We will continue to
comply with IMO standards for the benefit of our seafarers,” Vice Admiral
Vingson said.
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“Our engagement with the professional
services of independent evaluators
shows our full efforts in maintaining
our seafarer’s reputation worldwide
as a dependable maritime workforce.
We will continue to comply with
IMO standards for the benefit of our
seafarers,” Vice Admiral Vingson said.
The results of next month’s evaluation will form part of the regular
Communication of Information of the Philippines to the IMO as required
under Regulation I/7 of the Convention.
Caution against undue panic
Contrary to recent reports, the Philippines is still included in the “White
List” of the IMO, signifying the nation’s compliance with international
maritime standards.
This is attested by the IMO MSC Circular (MSC.1/Circ.1163/Rev.11)
published on 14 December 2018.
The “White List” refers to parties confirmed by the IMO Maritime Safety
Committee (MSC) to have communicated information that demonstrates
the full and complete effect that is given to the relevant provisions of the
STCW.
In a statement released on 21 March 2019, the DOTr and MARINA
cautioned the public to remain vigilant against claims that the country
was allegedly excluded from the IMO White List.
With proof of compliance with IMO standards, the livelihood of the
country’s over 400,000 seafarers ultimately continues to be among the
top priorities of the DOTr and MARINA.
http://marina.gov.ph/