Amending Memorandum Circulars Issued Pursuant to Resolution No. 48-A s. 2012 (Revised IRR of R.A. No. 8544)

October 21, 2013

PROFESSIONAL REGULATORY BOARD FOR MARINE ENGINEER OFFICERS RESOLUTION NO. 143-13

AMENDMENT TO MEMORANDUM CIRCULARS ISSUED PURSUANT TO RESOLUTION NO. 48-A, SERIES OF 2012 (RE: "REVISED RULES AND REGULATIONS IMPLEMENTING REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8544, THE "PHILIPPINE MERCHANT MARINE OFFICERS ACT OF 1998")

WHEREAS, the Board deemed it necessary to amend the Memorandum Circulars issued to provide guidelines pursuant to Board Resolution No. 48-A, series of 2012, the Revised Rules and Regulations Implementing (IRR) Republic Act No. 8544, to address inconsistencies with the aforesaid IRR, and institute changes to fully align with the 2010 Manila Amendments to the STCW Convention.

WHEREFORE, the Board RESOLVED, as it hereby RESOLVES, to amend the Memorandum Circulars issued pursuant to Board Resolution No. 48-A, series of 2012, the Revised IRR of Republic Act No. 8544, the "Philippine Merchant Marine Officers Act of 1998", as follows:

SECTION 1. Section V, Definition of Terms, paragraphs 4, 17 and 21, of Memorandum Circular Nos. 13-02, 13-04 and 13-06, series of 2013, is hereby amended to read as follows:

"xxx xxx xxx

4. STCW CODE — the Seafarer's Training, Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW) Code as adopted by the 1995 Conference Resolution 2, as it may be amended by the Organization."

xxx xxx xxx

18. APPROVED EDUCATION AND TRAINING — a structured education and training program for candidates for all certificates as deck officer and engineer officer, both for the management and operational level responsibility in accordance with the standard of competence under Section A of the STCW Code.

xxx xxx xxx

22. APPROVED TRAINING RECORD BOOK — an official record book wherein the on-board training of candidates for certificates as officer-in-charge of a navigational watch or engineering watch under the supervision of a qualified officer is required to be recorded. This applies also to candidates for alternative certificates which attest competency at the operational level. However, exceptions are made for those candidates for certificates as officer-in-charge of a navigational watch and an engineering watch who have approved seagoing service of not less than three years and for candidates for certificates as officer-in-charge of a navigational watch on seagoing ships of less than 500 gross tonnage engaged on near-coastal voyages. HICATc

xxx xxx xxx."

SECTION 2. Section IV, Definition of Terms, paragraphs 4, 23 and 27, of Memorandum Circular No. 13-07, series of 2013, is hereby amended to read as follows:

"xxx xxx xxx

4. STCW CODE — the Seafarer's Training, Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW) Code as adopted by the 1995 Conference Resolution 2, as it may be amended by the Organization."

xxx xxx xxx

23. APPROVED EDUCATION AND TRAINING — a structured education and training program for candidates for all certificates as deck officer and engineer officer, both for the management and operational level responsibility in accordance with the standard of competence under Section A of the STCW Code.

xxx xxx xxx

27. APPROVED TRAINING RECORD BOOK — an official record book wherein the on-board training of candidates for certificates as officer-in-charge of a navigational watch or engineering watch under the supervision of a qualified officer is required to be recorded. This applies also to candidates for alternative certificates which attest competency at the operational level. However, exceptions are made for those candidates for certificates as officer-in-charge of a navigational watch and an engineering watch who have approved seagoing service of not less than three years and for candidates for certificates as officer-in-charge of a navigational watch on sea-going ships of less than 500 gross tonnage engaged on near-coastal voyages.

xxx xxx xxx."

SECTION 3. Section IV, Definition of Terms, of Memorandum Circular No. 13-07, series of 2013, and Section V, Definition of Terms, of Memorandum Circular Nos. 13-02, 13-04 and 13-06, series of 2013, are hereby amended to add a new paragraph, which shall be read as follows:

"APPROVED IN-SERVICE EXPERIENCE — the experience by which candidates can demonstrate that they have received the necessary practical training to become competent. Candidates are still required to pass examinations, tests or assessment as appropriate to evaluate their competence as specified in the relevant competence tables."

SECTION 4. Section IV, Coverage, paragraph B, of Memorandum Circular Nos. 13-04 and 13-06, series of 2013, is hereby amended to read as follows:

"B. Marine Engineer Officers serving on board certain types of seagoing ships under Regulations V/1-1 and V/1-2 of the 1978 STCW Convention, as amended."

SECTION 5. Section VI (8), Section VI (7), Section VI (4), Policies, of Memorandum Circular Nos. 13-02, 13-04 and 13-06, series of 2013, respectively, is hereby amended to read as follows:

"To comply with the requirements of Section A-1/6 of the STCW Code, members of the Board/Assessors responsible for the assessment of competence of marine deck officers, in qualifying for certification under the STCW Convention, shall meet the following:

(a) have an appropriate level of knowledge and understanding of the competence to be assessed;

(b) be qualified in the task for which the assessment is being made;

(c) have received appropriate guidance in assessment methods and practice;

(d) have gained practical assessment experience; and

(e) if conducting assessment involving the use of simulators, have gained practical assessment experience on the particular type of simulator under the supervision and to the satisfaction of an experienced assessor."

SECTION 6. Section IV, Coverage, of Memorandum Circular No. 13-08, series of 2013, Guidelines in the Implementation of the Quality Standards System, is hereby amended to add a new paragraph, number 3, to read as follows:

"3. Assessment of Management Level Courses Certificates"

SECTION 7. Effectivity. — This Resolution supersedes any previous issuance to the contrary and shall be effective (15) days after its complete publication in a newspaper of general circulation or in the Official Gazette, whichever is earlier.

Let three (3) certified true copies of this Resolution be furnished the U.P. Law Center.

DONE in the City of Manila, Philippines, this 21st day of October 2013.

 

(SGD.) CHIEF ENGR. MIGUEL O. MARASIGANOIC, Vice-Chairman

 

(SGD.) CHIEF ENGR. VICTORIANO A. ALOJADOMember

 

(SGD.) CHIEF ENGR. FERDINAND R. PASCUAMember

 

(SGD.) CHIEF ENGR. ELDEFONSO G. UBAMember

ATTESTED BY:

(SGD.) ATTY. ARISTOGERSON T. GESMUNDOAssistant Commissioner

APPROVED BY:

 

(SGD.) TERESITA R. MANZALAChairperson

 

(SGD.) JENNIFER JARDIN-MANALILICommissioner

 

VACANTCommissioner

Published in the Official Gazette, Vol. 110, No. 8, page 1114 on February 24, 2014.