ADOPTION OF A SINGLE LICENSURE EXAMINATION FOR THE MARINE DECK OFFICERS AND MARINE ENGINEER OFFICERS IN THE MANAGEMENT LEVEL

WHEREAS, Section 10 of Republic Act No. 8544, otherwise known
as the “Philippine Merchant Marine Officers Act of 1998”, provides for
the powers and duties of the Boards for Marine Deck Officers and Marine
Engineer Officers (Boards).

WHEREAS, Section 10(g) of Republic Act No. 8544 provides that the
Boards shall look into the conditions affecting the practice of the
Maritime Profession and whenever necessary, adopt such measures as may
be deemed proper for the enhancement and maintenance of high
professional and ethical standards of the profession.

WHEREAS, the Boards are empowered to promulgate and adopt rules and
regulations necessary for carrying out the provisions of Republic Act
No. 8544 pursuant to Section 10(a) thereof.

WHEREAS, the 1978 STCW Convention, as amended, and the STCW Code
grouped merchant marine officers into two (2) levels, namely, the
Operational Level and the Management Level Officers.

WHEREAS, the Management Level Officers is comprised of the Chief Mate
and Master Mariner for the Deck Department and the Second Engineer
Officer and Chief Engineer Officer for the Engine Department.

WHEREAS, the standards of competence, the tasks, duties and
responsibilities, and the level of knowledge of the subjects under the
STCW Code which is required of every candidate for certification as
Chief Mate is similar with that of a Master Mariner. Likewise, the
standards of competence, the tasks, duties and responsibilities, and
the level of knowledge of the subjects under the STCW Code which is
required of every candidate for certification as Second Engineer Officer
is similar with that of a Chief Engineer Officer.

WHEREAS, the Boards deem it wise that a single licensure examination
for the Management Level officers is a positive and a proactive solution
to the global shortage of officers in the Management Level.

WHEREAS, other parties to the revised STCW Convention, such as India,
United States of America, Australia, and United Kingdom, among others,
have adopted and implemented a single licensure examination for the
Management Level Officers.

NOW, THEREFORE, the Boards RESOLVE, as it is hereby RESOLVED, to
adopt a single licensure examination for the Marine Deck Officers and
Marine Engineer Officers in the Management Level.

RESOLVED FURTHER, that the licensure examination for the Management
Level of Marine Deck Officers shall be the Chief Mate licensure
examination and the Second Engineer Officer licensure examination shall
be the licensure examination for the Management Level of Marine Engineer
Officers.

RESOLVED FINALLY, that subject to the guidelines to be issued by the
Boards, a registered/licensed Chief Mate who has completed at least
twenty four (24) months of approved seagoing service as Chief Mate on
boardship of 500 gross tonnage or more shall, upon application, payment
of the required fee and approval by the Board, be upgraded and issued
the Certificate of Registration/License as Master Mariner. Likewise, a
registered/licensed Second Engineer Officer who has completed at least
twenty four (24) months of approved seagoing service as Second Engineer
Officer on board ship powered by main propulsion machinery of 750Kw
propulsion power or more shall, upon application, payment of the
required fee and approval by the Board, be upgraded and issued the
Certificate of Registration/License as Chief Engineer Officer.

Let a copy of this Resolution be published in the Official Gazette and furnished the U.P. Law Center.

This Resolution supersedes any previous issuance to the contrary and shall take effect immediately.

Adopted: 24 July 2008

BOARD FOR MARINE DECK OFFICERS
(SGD.) JAIME D. AQUINO Vice-Chairman
(SGD.) IRENEO U. DELOS SANTOS Member	(SGD.) MIKE L. CASTRO Member
BOARD FOR MARINE ENGINEER OFFICERS
(SGD.) JOSE G. ABUGAN Chairman
(SGD.) MIGUEL O. MARASIGAN Vice-Chairman
(SGD.) VICTORIANO A. ALOJADO Member	(SGD.) FERDINAND R. PASCUA Member
(SGD.) ELDEFONSO G. UBA Member
Attested by:
(SGD.) ATTY. CARLOS G. ALMELOR Secretary, Professional Regulatory Boards
Approved by:
(SGD.) LEONOR TRIPON-ROSERO Secretary
(SGD.) RUTH RAÑA PADILLA Commissioner	(SGD.) NILO L. ROSAS Commissioner