QuestionsQuestions (OTS Memorandum Circular No. 04)
It is issued pursuant to Executive Order No. 311 dated 26 April 2006, particularly paragraph 5.1 in Part A of the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code, which empowers Contracting Governments to determine when a Declaration of Security (DoS) is required.
To prescribe requirements and procedures in the Declaration of Security (DoS) in accordance with the set security level provided in MC No. 03, Series of 2015.
It applies to all ports in the Philippines serving ships engaged in international voyages and Philippine-flag ships.
As an agreement reached between a ship and a port facility (or another ship) specifying the security measures each will implement.
The Office for Transportation Security (OTS).
The PFSO is responsible for developing, implementing, revising, and maintaining the port facility security plan and for liaison with Ship Security Officers and Company Security Officers; specifically, the PFSO completes the DoS with the SSO and initiates it when required.
Based on a Port Facility Security Assessment (PFSA) and provided in the Port Facility Security Plan (PFSP); additionally, a DoS is required when the PFSO deems it necessary (consistent with OTS security levels) or when a ship deems it necessary, subject to the port facility’s right to refuse if not aligned with the PFSP.
Yes. The Ship Security Officer (SSO) requests a DoS when the ship operates at a higher security level than the port (or the interfacing ship).
No. The port facility must acknowledge the ship’s request but shall agree only if the circumstances conform to those in the PFSP.
Examples include: (1) the ship operating at a higher security level than the port facility; (2) presence of a security threat or incident involving the port/ship interface; (3) the port facility or ship operating at Security Level 3; (4) a change in security level for the port/ship; (5) embarkation/disembarkation of passengers or handling dangerous cargo; (6) ship not compliant with maritime security measures (e.g., no valid International Ship Security Certificate); and (7) other circumstances as determined by OTS.
No. DoS shall never be the norm and shall not normally be required when both the port facility and the ship are operating at Security Level 1.
The request must be acknowledged by the SSO, and the ship must comply with the request.
It must be signed and dated by both the port facility and the ship, and include its duration, the relevant security level, and relevant contact details.
In English.
At least three (3) years, as stated in the circular.
No. It expressly reserves to OTS (through its Administrator) the authority to implement/enforce these provisions and prescribe other requirements as challenges evolve.