Estrada calls for 'harmony' in STCW implementation

President Estrada has called for "harmonization" and "clearer lines of accountability" among agencies implementing the revised Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping Convention (STCW) Convention for seafarers in the country's bid to make it to the 'white list' of complying states.

The Philippine's inclusion in the white list, which would assure the continued employment of more than 200,000 Filipino seafarers, has dominated the issues confronting the country's lucrative manning industry due to conflict in issuance of endorsement certificates.

Addressing a gala dinner hosted by the Filipino Shipowners' Association (FSA) last Tuesday on the occasion of the association's 50th anniversary, Estrada said he has ordered Labor Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma to initiate the "appropriate documentation consistent with" the previous guidelines on STCW from the Office of the President.

The occasion, which coincides with the joint meeting of the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) and the International Shipping Federation (ISF), also gave the international shipping community a glimpse of how the Estrada administration tackles the problem pointed out by the International Maritime Organization (IMO).

The IMO still questions the role of the Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) in issuing certificates despite another agency -- Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) -- having its own rules covering the function. The Philippines has been given another chance to thresh out the problems in a meeting with the IMO panel of competent persons in Tokyo on April 26-27 this year.

Estrada insisted that the Marina, "consistent with past directives and practices, shall continue to be the lead agency for the implementation of the 1978 STCW Convention as amended"; and "perform such functions assigned to it as necessary to fulfill our obligations under the 1978 Convention."

To make the procedures for the issuance of certificates "clear and seamless," Estrada said he has instructed his executive secretary Ronaldo Zamora and Laguesma to ensure that the PRC and Marina harmonize their documentary requirements and procedures.

There are no changes in the administration's policy yet since IMO responded last month to the 'clarificatory report' submitted by the Philippine government. The UN body expressed dissatisfaction with the way the administration handles the agency squabble in the implementation of the revised STCW Convention.

The Estrada administration has remained firm over Marina's roles on STCW matters. Pursuant to Executive Order 149, according to Estrada, Marina shall remain the "central repository of information, and shall respond to any request for information and clarification from other maritime authorities involving STCW matters."

"As the leading source of seafarers to the world merchant shipping fleet, the contribution of the Philippines to the movement of international trade is a remarkable achievement, which my administration is committed to sustaining. After all there is a Filipino for every six seafarers on board an international trading ship."