Whereas, the Maritime Training Council under Section 1 of the Letter of Instruction No. 1404 is mandated to give effect to the 1978 STCW Convention and its corresponding annex;

Whereas, one of the functions of the Council under Section 2 of LOI 1404 is to issue certificate of proficiency to seafarers who meet the training requirements of the Convention;

Whereas, under the 1995 amendments to the Convention, it is required that all training and assessment of seafarers for certification under the Convention shall be structured in accordance with written programs, including such methods and media of delivery, procedures and course material as are necessary to achieve the prescribed standard of competence;

Whereas, it is also required under the 1995 amendment to the Convention that any person evaluating in-service assessment of competence of a seafarer, either on board or shore, which is intended to be used in qualifying for certification under the convention, shall meet the requirements of paragraph 6 of Section A-1/6 of the STCW Code;

Whereas, training and assessment of seafarers intended to be used in qualifying them for certification under the Convention are presently undertaken by training centers accredited by the MITC;

Whereas, there is an urgent need for an external body to conduct independent assessment of the competence of seafarers who have undergone training in the accredited maritime institutions or seafarers who have the necessary experience but whose competence need to be assessed in accordance with the requirements of the Convention;

NOW, THEREFORE, in view of the foregoing premises, resolve as it is hereby resolved that:

SECTION 1. The National Assessment Center - A National Assessment Center is hereby created under the Maritime Training Council.  Pending approval of the regular plantilla of the Council by the Department of Budget and Management, the Council shall designate a non-stock and non-profit organization to manage the Center, subject to the guidelines established by the Council.  The Council shall only designate or authorize one body  to manage the Center.

SECTION 2. Responsibilities of the National Assessment Center -

The Center shall have the following responsibilities;

1. Issue Certificates of Proficiency, in behalf of the Council, as required under Chapter V and VI of the Annex to the Convention.

2. Conduct assessment of competence of seafarers under any particular regulation of the Convention as may be required or requested by the government body concerned intended to be used for the issue of STCW ˜95 certificate.

3. Ensure that all assessors conducting assessment in 1 and 2 above are qualified in accordance with requirements of paragraph 6 of Section A-I/6 of the STCW Code.

4. Ensure that all assessors are continuously trained to keep them abreast with the latest assessment techniques and technological advancements in shipping that are essential in the performance of their job as assessors.

5. Ensure the quality and integrity of the assessment process through an established quality standard system.

6. Perform other responsibilities which the Council may require.

SECTION 3. Network of Assessment Centers - The Foundation that shall be designated as the National Assessment Center shall maintain a network of assessment centers in regional areas where seafarers are generally located.

SECTION 4. Program Implementation - The Secretariat shall take immediate action in identifying the prospective organizations.  A report and recommendation to this effect shall be submitted to the Council within 7 days from the adoption of this Resolution.

The Council shall select among the list of organizations recommended.  It shall then issue the corresponding authority and recognition to the selected organization to promptly carry out the responsibilities provided in section 2 of this Resolution.

SECTION 5. Guidelines and Procedures of Assessment - The Secretariat in coordination with the technical working group composed and representatives of agencies represented in the Council shall prepare the guidelines and instructions on the uniform procedures in assessing competence of seafarers.  These guidelines and procedures which shall be approved by the Council shall serve as the terms of reference for the authorized organization.  Meanwhile, the Assessment Center shall implement MTC Memorandum Circulars No. 4 and 5, Series of 2000.  Assessment of proficiency for the issue of certificate is transferred from the training centers to the National Assessment Center.

SECTION 6. Repealing Clause - This Resolution modifies or amends accordingly Sections 8.5, 8.6 and 9.9 of Resolution No. 03, s. 1998

SECTION 7. Effectivity - This Resolution shall take effect upon approval.

Adopted: 29 May 2000

(SGD.) BIENVENIDO P. LAGUESMA Secretary, Department of Labor and Employment and Chairman, Maritime Training Council
(SGD.) HERMOGENES P. POBRE Chairman, Professional Regulation Commission (PRC)	(SGD.) REYNALDO A. REGALADO Administrator, Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA)
(SGD.) ELEUTERIO N. GARDINER Administrator, Overseas Worker Welfare Administration (OWWA)	(SGD.) OSCAR M. SEVILLA Administrator, Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA)
(SGD.) RADM. EUCEO E. FAJARDO Commandant, Philippine Coast Guard (PCG)	(SGD.) ESTER A. GARCIA Chairman, Commission on Higher Education (CHED)
(SGD.) VICENTE F. ALDANESE, JR. Private Sector Representative Filipino Association for Mariners Employment (FAME)	(SGD.) GREGORIA S. OCA Private Sector Representative Associated Marine Officers and Seamen ™s Union
Attested to: (SGD.) LORNA O. FAJARDO Executive Director