TIM eMagazine Vol.4 Issue 2
Philippines
asserts position
in IMO White List
Department of
Transportation
(DOTr) Secretary
Arthur Tugade
Credit: Philip Ortaleza
Maritime Industry
Authority (MARINA)
Officer-in-Charge Vice
Admiral Narciso
Vingson, Jr.
Credit: marina.gov.ph
T
he Philippines, through the Department of Transportation
(DOTr) and the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA), asserted
its position in the revised “White List” of Parties to the STCW
Convention prepared by the Secretariat of the International
Maritime Organization (IMO), through an intervention during
the 6th session of the IMO Sub-Committee on Human Element,
Training and Watchkeeping (HTW6) held at the IMO Headquarters
in London, United Kingdom from 29 April to 03 May 2019.
During the Sub-Committee's session on 30 April, the Philippine delegation,
together with delegations from other Parties of the STCW Convention, raised issues
and questions to the Sub-committee and the IMO Secretariat regarding the
sudden review and preparation of a draft revised White List, the procedures of the
said review, and the criteria for issuance of a revised list.
According to Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) Officer-in-Charge Vice
Admiral Narciso Vingson Jr, no white list has been officially issued by the IMO
excluding the Philippines. But, to thresh out issues and concerns, the creation of a
‘Working Group’ was agreed upon, so as to review the consistency of evaluation,
and the competency of those who would review.
“First, I would like to clarify that the IMO has not issued a 'White List' which does
not include the Philippines. Nonetheless, it was agreed upon in one of the sessions
that a TWG be established to work on all issues raised,” Vice Admiral Vingson said.
“The positive developments were attained due to the effort, commitment, and
support of the entire team,” Vingson added.
For his part, Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade welcomed the recent
development, and challenged the MARINA to exert all the necessary efforts
to prepare for the independent evaluation, which is part of the Philippines’
compliance as a Party to the STCW Convention.
In fact, before the delegation left for London, Secretary Tugade has directed the
MARINA to ensure the country’s compliance with IMO standards to firmly secure
the livelihood of thousands of Filipino seafarers.
“This is good news for our maritime industry and the entire country. May this be
treated as a challenge so that the MARINA and other concerned agencies perform
at their best to prepare accordingly for the Independent Evaluation. We need to
make sure that we will exert all the necessary efforts, commitment and support to
make this next mission successful,” Secretary Tugade said.
“Trabaho at kinabukasan ng libu-libong marino at kani-kanilang mga pamilya
ang nakasalalay dito. Sa katunayan, buong Pilipinas ang umaasa sa atin.
Kailangang siguraduhin natin na hindi sila mabibigo,” Tugade added.
In response, VAdm Vingson reaffirmed MARINA’s unwavering commitment to do
its utmost to maintain the country’s status in the IMO White List.
“We accept the challenge of the Secretary. Rest assured that the MARINA
remains fully committed to steadily sustain the Philippines’ full compliance with
the STCW Convention. We will continue to do everything we can to maintain our
status in the IMO White List,” the MARINA OIC Administrator said.
“All necessary steps to consistently improve the country’s maritime education,
training, examination, and assessment system are being undertaken and
prioritized,” Vingson added.
The so-called “White List” refers to a list of parties confirmed by the IMO Maritime
Safety Committee (MSC) to have communicated information that demonstrates full
and complete effect to the relevant provisions of the STCW.
Earlier this year, there have been false reports stating the Philippines’ alleged
exclusion from the IMO White List, which unfortunately generated undue panic to
over 400,000 seafarers and their families.
The Philippine delegation to the HTW6 that delivered the intervention was
headed by MARINA OIC Administrator Narciso Vingson Jr., together with other
MARINA representatives from the STCW Office, Department of Health (DOH),
Philippine Association of Maritime Training Centers, Inc. (PAMTCI), and the Maritime
Academy of Asia and the Pacific (MAAP)
http://marina.gov.ph/
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