RP gets more time to comply with IMO requirements

The International Marine Organization (IMO) has agreed to defer the release of its so-called white list until the Philippines has complied with the requirements under its Standards of Training Certification and Watch-keeping for Seafarers (STCW).

The IMO is an international body under the United Nations that governs maritime safety standards and regulatory policies.

IMO's white list is the list of countries that have complied with the revised STCW requirements for seamen. International shipping lines that want to hire seamen refer to this list which assures them of compliance with International standards for skills and training.

According to a source from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), the IMO agreed to give the Philippines until December to comply with the STCW requirements before issuing the white list.

The source said the IMO had given the Philippines this leeway because it recognized the impact on the international maritime industry if the country fails to make this list.

According to the source, the Philippines supplies roughly 25 percent of the total manpower requirements of IMO members. If it is taken off the white list, the impact on the hiring of seamen for international shipping lines would be significant.

IMO's STCW requirements were revised last year when the group met in Singapore. The revisions included the release of the white list but in order to qualify, the Philippines has to comply with at least 42 provisions, including the overhaul of the negotiating panel that represents Filipino seamen in labor negotiations and settlement.

According to the source, the IMO demanded the re-composition of the Philippine panel which includes the Philippine Overseas Employment Authority (POEA), the Overseas Workers Welfare Authority (OWWA) and Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).

Without necessarily changing the agency representation, the source said the IMO is seeking the appointment of new representatives to the panel which would deal directly with the organization on labor and welfare issues.

Aside from the reorganization of the panel, the source said the Philippines also has to clearly deli??? the functions of the Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) and the Professional Regulatory Commission (PRC).

The Marina and PRC have been engaged in a turf war for the last five years over the issuance of certification and clearances for seamen applying for overseas jobs.

According to the source, the IMO wants a clarification on which specific agency it should be dealing with where it concerns professional certification and clearance.

There are approximately 3000,000 Filipino seafers currently employed by international shipping lines, representing over 25 percent of the seafaring industry.

Trade and Industry Secretary Manuel Roxas II told reporters earlier that Filipino seamen were in high demand among shipping lines because of their track record, skills, adaptability and top-rating working relationship.