Question & AnswerQ&A (POEA MEMORANDUM CIRCULAR NO. 18)
Manning agencies must submit the number of seafarers and their ranks, and the type of re-training and/or upgrading courses required for their seafarers.
The Maritime Training Council of the Department of Labor and Employment is responsible for evaluating the data.
The Maritime Training Council will use the submitted data to provide necessary training standards and infrastructure in coordination with accredited maritime training centers.
Reports must be submitted to the Seabased Employment Accreditation and Processing Center no later than December 31, 1998.
Retraining and upgrading are necessary to comply with certification requirements under the STCW Convention, ensuring seafarers meet international standards.
The STCW Convention, 1978, as amended (Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping for Seafarers).
They must coordinate with maritime training centers accredited to offer retraining and upgrading courses.
A copy of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) guidelines was attached to assist in the preparation of the report.