WHEREAS, pursuant to and for the purpose of giving effect to the agreements reached during the Council meeting held on March 14, 1997 relative to resolving issues and problems on the implementation of EO 396, s. 1997), it is resolved as its is hereby resolved that:

1.         The PRC shall administer licensure examinations, issues corresponding certificates of registration and professional licenses, and thereafter MARINA shall endorse the said certificates.

2.         The MTC shall promulgate general policies and operational guidance for the implementation of the STCW-78 Convention, as amended.

3.         The STCW Executive Committee shall provide the overall policy and operational directions and specific Implementing Rules and Regulations based on LOI 1404, EO 396 and STCW-78 Convention, as amended.

4.         MARINA, being the lead agency, shall ensure the compliance by all Filipino seafarers with the standards set forth under the STCW Convention, prepare and submit to the MTC for approval an annual work program for effective compliance with the STCW Convention.

5.         The STCW Executive Committee Secretariat, based in the MARINA, shall provide technical and administrative support to the Executive Committee while the MTC Secretariat, based in POEA and with plantilla positions, shall provide technical and administrative support to the MTC Council in establishing general policies, operational guidance and training of seafarers.

6.         Funds from MTC for the STCW Executive Committee can be made available for purposes of seafarers training. Funds for other expenses shall be taken from other sources made available to MARINA, MTC and others.

7.         MTC shall revise the previously approved plantilla positions and work programs taking into account the implementation of EO 396 and the agreement to continue the work programs of MTC relative to the training of seafarers like Assessors Training, Instructors Training, Regulation of Training Centers, National Training Record Book, Supervised Shipboard Training Program, Development of Upgraded Courses for the 1978 Certificated Seafarers.

Adopted: 30 May 1997