WHEREAS, Regulation I/9 of the 1978 STCW Convention, as amended, among others, provides among others, that each Party to the Convention shall undertake to maintain a register of all certificates and endorsements for masters and officers which are issued, have expired or have been revalidated, suspended or cancelled and make available such information on the status of such certificates and endorsements to other Parties and companies which request verification of the authenticity and validity of certificates produced to them by seafarers seeking recognition of their certificates under Regulation I/10 for employment on board ship.

WHEREAS, the Philippines being the major supplier of seafarers in international maritime community comprising 27% of the world maritime fleet needs to have a website which can be accessed 24 hours a day and 7 days a week.

WHEREAS, the requirement of username and password in accessing the website for marine officers works to the grave disadvantage of the Philippine government in terms of economic gain as this causes undue delay in the hiring of marine officers on board ships of international voyage especially for those who are directly hired abroad.

WHEREAS, one of the eight (8) non-conformities found during the April 25, 2007 internal quality audit conducted by the MTC designated audit team, reads:

œNo prompt uploading of marine officers ™ data for immediate verification by foreign flag administrations and the user name and password runs counter to the immediate accessibility to verification of the genuineness and authenticity of certificate under Regulation I/9 of the STCW Convention. 

WHEREAS, in order to avoid impersonation of marine officers, as in the case of the œCapt. Sato  incident, a photo must be included in the data and a scanned Certificate of Competency of the marine officers.

WHEREAS, the security and integrity of the data of marine officers must be ensured and that the uploading of updated data should be done every other day, and avail of the best practices of other government agencies and the private sector.

NOW, THEREFORE, the Commission RESOLVES, as it is hereby RESOLVED, as follows:

1. The removal of User Name and Password in accessing the website for Marine Deck and Engineer Officers;

2. The Upgrading of the database and field in the website for Major and Minor Patrons similar with the Marine Deck Officers;

3. To include in the field of the website the photo and the scanned Certificate of Competency of the Marine Deck and Engineer Officers;

4. Ensure the security and integrity of the data for Marine Officers; and

5. The Uploading of updated data should be done every other day, and shall avail of the best practices of other government agencies and the private sector.

This Resolution supersedes any previous issuance to the contrary, if any, and shall take effect immediately.

Let a copy of this Resolution be furnished the U.P. Law Center and published in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of nationwide circulation.

Adopted: 28 Dec. 2007

(SGD.) LEONOR TRIPON-ROSERO Chairperson
(SGD.) RUTH RA A- PADILLA Commissioner	(SGD.) NILO L. ROSAS Commissioner