QuestionsQuestions (MIA MEMORANDUM CIRCULAR NO. 196)
It prescribes rules for introducing a new/alternative passenger accommodation type—air-conditioned reclining seats—in the inter-island trade, and provides ship operators opportunities for competition under a deregulated/liberalized regime.
All passenger-carrying Philippine-registered ships engaged in domestic (inter-island) trade with travel time of more than four (4) hours, accredited by the DOT, except High Speed Crafts (HSC).
A seat whose back rest can be lowered or reclined to at least 35 degrees.
Conversion/introduction shall not exceed fifty percent (50%) of the total capacity of the air-conditioned second class accommodation; however, the limitation does not apply to conversion of unused spaces for the new type of accommodation.
Reclining seats must not obstruct access to or occupy space leading to essential or emergency equipment or required means of escape; exit doors, aisles, and passageways must be kept clear at all times during travel.
The accommodation must have a primary passageway. If there are more than two (2) clusters of seats, there should also be secondary passageways to give convenient access to seats in normal situations and egress during emergencies.
Examples include: (1) air-conditioned ventilation; (2) properly constructed permanently fixed upholstered reclining seats; (3) non-skid deck sheathing; (4) seat arm rests and foot rests must be provided; (5) reclining angle of at least 35 degrees; (6) specified minimum passageway dimensions; (7) toilets and baths with stated ratios and amenities; (8) PA system and other supplies.
Width 0.460 m; depth 0.450 m; seat height 0.450 m; height of back rest 0.74 m.
Distance between rows: 0.50 m (front edge of the seat to the back rest of the next row in vertical position); primary passageway: 0.92 m; secondary passageway: 0.45 m.
One (1) separate toilet and bath for men and women per 80 passengers.
Accessibility posters for physically, visually, hearing, and mentally impaired passengers must be permanently posted, and at least one (1) uniformed crew member with appropriate identification must act as a coordinator onboard the ship.
The subject ship should first be issued a Certificate of Compliance (COC) by the Administration. Only then may the shipowner/operator apply for adoption of deregulated passenger rates for air-conditioned reclining seats.
They shall be deregulated but must be lower than the existing lowest second class air-conditioned accommodation being implemented/charged by the subject ship/s.
Publication must be done in one (1) daily national newspaper and one (1) daily regional newspaper in the ports affected (and once in a regional newspaper for regional operations). The notice size must be at least 4 inches by 5½ inches. The affidavit of publication, newspaper clipping, and a copy of the whole issue must be submitted to MARINA ten (10) days from publication. Also, notice must be posted conspicuously at affected ports, ships, company premises, terminals, and ticketing offices (about 3 ft by 2 ft).
The Enforcement Office/concerned Maritime Regional Office shall monitor compliance every six (6) months from the issuance of the COC, by way of endorsement at the back of the certificate.
First infraction: P5,000 plus warning. Second: P10,000 plus suspension of CPC/PA for not less than one (1) week. Third: P25,000 plus revocation of CPC/PA.