Legal basis and governing frameworks
- Executive Order No. 277 (Jan 2004), as amended by E.O. No. 311 (26 April 2004), provides the authority framework for the OTS issuance.
- The circular is anchored on Chapter XI-2 IMO-SOLAS 1974 and training-related requirements under the IMO-SPS Code.
- The circular is guided by the National Security Program for Sea Transport and Maritime Infrastructure (NSPSTMI).
- The circular is implemented in compliance with OTS Transportation Security Regulation (OTSTSR) No. 011-2007 (October 1, 2007).
- The circular is issued to comply with the functional requirement in ISPS Code 1.3.7 covering training, drills, and exercises to ensure familiarity with security plans and procedures.
Objective and coverage scope
- The circular’s objective is to ensure that only Certified Maritime Security Instructors conduct maritime security training based on maritime security standards.
- The circular applies to all Maritime Security Instructors (MSI).
- The circular applies to training instructors/individuals on maritime security involved in or responsible for maritime security training in the Philippines.
- The circular governs the certification of maritime security instructors and related processes leading to instructor authorization.
Definitions used for certification
- A Certification Jury (CJ) is the panel that conducts oral examination or interview with applicants, composed of OTS officers/personnel from Maritime Security Bureau (MTSB) and Institute for Transportation Security Training and Studies (ITSTS), and headed by the Administrator, OTS or a duly appointed representative.
- A Certificate of Continuing Training is a formal re-evaluation and re-confirmation by the OTS that a person possesses required competencies to teach specific course/s based on OTS National Training Standard.
- An Interim Certification is a formal evaluation and confirmation by or on behalf of the appropriate authority that a maritime security instructor possesses the necessary competencies; it is valid for six (6) months.
- A Maritime Security Instructor is a person duly certified by OTS to possess required competencies and is qualified to teach maritime security courses.
- A Maritime Security Instructor Certificate (MSIC) is a written evaluation and confirmation issued by OTS to a person who possesses required competencies and qualification.
- An Oral Examination evaluates communication skills through an interview conducted by the Certification Jury.
- A Practical Examination evaluates applicants through actual demonstration of skills and knowledge in teaching maritime security courses based on course content.
- Recurrency Training is maritime security training for instructors to keep them up-to-date in knowledge, skills, abilities, and preparedness on the course/s they intend to teach or be recertified.
- A Theoretical Examination is a written examination for maritime security instructors based on course content, taking into account national and international regulations.
Certification requirements and examinations
- Certification is mandatory and uses pre-qualification standards requiring the applicant to:
- Satisfactorily complete relevant tertiary education, supported by a diploma/certificate of completion.
- Complete pertinent maritime security training course relevant to the course subject for certification.
- Have minimum of three (3) year teaching experience in maritime security/security training, supported by relevant documents.
- Demonstrate knowledge of the ISPS Code and NSPSTMI.
- Obtain a satisfactory outcome of background investigation.
- Applicants must submit a written request for certification stating the specific maritime security/security training course they intend to teach and must attach:
- Resume.
- Certified true copy of any maritime security training certificate showing attended training course/s, particularly the training course applied for certification.
- Certificate of teaching experience in maritime security.
- Copy of maritime instruction course material/documents/syllabus relative to the course for certification.
- After completion of documentary requirements, the applicant must take and must pass a mandatory three-phased examination:
- Theoretical examination
- Practical examination
- Oral examination
- A minimum rating of 85% is required to pass the examinations.
- If an applicant fails to pass or complete any or all mandatory examinations, the applicant is given a single chance to retake the failed/uncompleted examination(s) within one month from the date of last examination.
- For instructor training of applicants, the model courses program of International Maritime Organizations (IMO) and OTS National training Standards is used.
- A certified maritime instructor/training personnel may request additional/other course/s by undergoing the same certification process.
Certification term, renewal, and re-certification
- The Certification Jury decides the issuance of instructor certification.
- Instructor certification issued under this system is valid for three (3) years.
- Expiring or expired certification may be renewed subject to recertification requirements.
- All security instructors must undergo recurrency training in maritime security and the latest security development every two (2) years.
- An expired/expiring MSIC may be renewed within one (1) month prior to its expiration date by filing with the Administrator, OTS:
- A letter-request for renewal.
- A copy of certificate/s of continuing training in maritime security or other refresher course on training methodology during the holder’s certification validity.
- Documentation on courses taught as maritime security instructor during the certification validity showing at least 360 hours of instruction.
- The OTS notifies the applicant of the re-certification result after deliberation by the Certification Jury.
- Only those who pass the re-certification process are eligible to conduct the specific training course.
Interim certification for prior trained instructors
- Maritime security instructors who successfully completed maritime security courses from duly recognized national and international maritime security organizations prior to the effectivity of this circular are entitled to apply for interim certification for a specific course.
- The Certification Jury decides applications for interim certification.
- The ITSTS assists the Certification Jury in assessing and determining the applicant’s eligibility for interim instructor certification.
- The Certification Jury may request an interim certification applicant to deliver a teaching demonstration on a specific training module.
Cancellation, rescission, or revocation
- Instructor certification may be cancelled, rescinded, or revoked if the holder is found guilty of an administrative, civil, or criminal offense.
Effectivity and publication
- The circular takes effect upon approval and publication in the newspaper of general circulation.