Marina welcomes creation of single maritime body

MANILA, Philippines - Maritime Industry Authority Deputy Administrator Nicasio Conti welcomed the approved bill in Congress which proposes to create a single maritime administration to oversee the training and certification of Filipino seafarers.

At a recent weekly forum held in Annabel’s in Quezon City, Conti echoed the position of Marina Administrator Maximo Mejia Jr. and supported Senate Bill 2043 sponsored by Senate President Franklin Drilon and its House of Representative version introduced by Angkla Partylist Rep. Jesulito Manalo.

According to Conti, this proposed bill will institutionalize the gains of Executive Order  75 signed by President  Aquino on April 30, 2012 designating the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC), through the Maritime Industry Authority (Marina), as the single administration in the Philippines responsible for oversight in the implementation of the 1978 International convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW), as amended.

In addition, Conti cited several reasons for supporting the immediate implementation into law of the bill establishing Marina as the single maritime administration.

Conti said that the Philippines needs to align its implementation of the 1978 STCW Convention as amended with the global practice being a signatory to the convention.

 â€œThe single maritime administration will be responsible for the education, training and certification of seafarers and ensuring their competency.  It will fortify and strengthen Philippines’ position as the premier provider of competent and certificated seafarers in the international seaborne trade, accounting for more than 25 percent of the total crew requirements on board international merchant marine vessels”, Conti added.