Question & AnswerQ&A (MARINA CIRCULAR NO. 2013-06)
The primary objective is to prescribe policies, rules, and procedures on monitoring maritime education programs, training courses, and assessment of competence of seafarers carried out by Maritime Education and Training Institutions (METIs) and assessment centers to ensure compliance with the 1978 STCW Convention and Philippine laws.
The Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC), through the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA), is the single government agency mandated to implement and enforce the 1978 STCW Convention, as amended.
It covers all maritime education programs, training courses, and assessment of competence of seafarers carried out by METIs and assessment centers under the jurisdiction of CHED, TESDA, PRC, and NTC as required by specific chapters of the STCW Convention related to ship personnel functions and safety.
METIs refer to both Maritime Higher Education Institutions (MHEIs) authorized by CHED and Maritime Training Institutions (MTIs) authorized by MARINA to conduct maritime education programs and training courses in accordance with the STCW Convention and Philippine laws.
The monitoring team includes representatives from MARINA, the concerned member agency (CHED, TESDA, PRC, or NTC), and qualified evaluators. Members must have no involvement with the institution monitored, have relevant knowledge and experience, attend orientation, and evaluators must have worked on monitoring at least three times before.
The Lead Evaluator heads the monitoring team, must have participated in at least five monitoring activities, pass evaluation by the Administration or member agency, and must have completed an auditor’s course.
It is the tool used to conduct monitoring focused on competence outcomes of students/trainees, evaluating core processes and procedures, and ensuring METIs and assessment centers meet defined program objectives and competence requirements.
Ratings include Conformance (SAT) signifying compliance, Non-conformance which can be Major Non-conformance (MNC) indicating serious deficiencies, Minor Non-conformance (mNC) indicating isolated lapses, and Observation (OBS) representing potential issues that may lead to non-conformance if unaddressed.
For training courses or competence assessments, the institution is prohibited from conducting them until deficiencies are rectified and verified within 15 working days. For maritime education programs, the institution must submit a corrective action plan within 15 working days, with possible frequent monitoring and phasing out if not complied with.
Personnel and evaluators are official representatives of the agencies, required to perform duties responsibly and maintain confidentiality of findings, documents, and information gathered during the monitoring process.
An annual program is prepared by January 15 yearly by the administration or member agencies, listing institutions, dates, and assigned personnel. It is sent for concurrence between agencies, budgeted according to administrative rules, and planned with monitoring teams convening prior to the scheduled activities.
Failure to correct a Minor Non-conformance within three months results in it being escalated to a Major Non-conformance, triggering stricter corrective actions.
They establish cooperation and define the roles between MARINA and member agencies (CHED, TESDA, PRC, NTC) to jointly monitor and enforce maritime education, training, and competence assessment standards.
Yes, a maximum of two observers may join a monitoring activity as under study.
They are repealed and/or modified accordingly to align with the rules and procedures established in this Circular.