The Philippine maritime training and certification system will continue to be recognized by the European Commission (EC) as it extended recognition of the country’s compliance to the International Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW).
The EC said the Philippines demonstrated concrete progress and improvement in complying with the requirements of the STCW Convention.
“The outcome of the analysis allows the EU to extend the recognition of the Republic of the Philippines STCW system,” it said.
In line with this, Transportation Secretary Jaime J. Bautista said EC’s decision confirms that the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) adequately addressed many of the findings by the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA), adding that MARINA worked relentlessly with other stakeholders to address the findings in the EMSA final inspection report of March 2021 as well as EC’s assessment report of December 2021.
According to Sec. Bautista, over 49,000 Filipino marine offers and their families stand to gain from EC’s decision.
The EC said that while the Philippines continues to enjoy such recognition, some issues still need to be addressed.
Sec. Bautista assured the EC that the Philippines, through the DOTr and MARINA, will address the issues raised by the Commission.
“We commit to address the remaining areas identified by EC that require further improvement,” Secretary Bautista said.
The transport chief also welcomed EC’s offer of technical assistance to further improve the implementation and oversight of minimum education, training and certification requirements as well as the living and working conditions of Filipino seafarers.
EC Commissioner for Transport Adina Valean welcomed the Philippines’ efforts to improve the system for training and certifying seafarers, adding that Filipino seafarers “provide a significant and valued part of the European and global shipping industry’s maritime workforce.” (JERRY S. TAN)
