WHEREAS, Section 10 of Republic Act No. 8544, otherwise known as the œPhilippine Merchant Marine Officers Act of 1998 , provides for the powers and duties of the Boards for Marine Deck Officers and Marine Engineer Officers (Boards).

WHEREAS, Section 10 (g) of Republic Act No, 8544 provides that the Boards shall look into the conditions affecting the practice of the Maritime Profession and whenever necessary, adopt such measures as may be deemed proper for the enhancement and maintenance of high professional and ethical standards of the profession.

WHEREAS, the Boards are empowered to promulgate and adopt rules and regulations necessary for carrying out the provisions of Republic Act No. 8544 pursuant to Section 10(a) thereof.

WHEREAS, the Commission issued Memorandum Circular No. 2001-12 on October 15, 2001, wherein the licensure examinations for Third and Second Mates for Marine Deck Officers and Fourth and Third Engineers for Marine Engineer Officers were merged into a single examination for marine officers in the operational level, known as Officer In Charge of a Navigational Watch and Officer In Charge of an Engineering Watch.

WHEREAS, in separate Resolutions by the Boards in the year 2003, prefixes were assigned to the Certificate/License of Marine Deck Officers and Marine Engineer Officers in the Operational Level.

WHEREAS, the Boards perceived that there is a need to revise the assignment of prefix to the Certificate of Registration/License of the Marine Deck Officers and Marine Engineer Officers in the Operational Level into a single prefix, œD-3  and œE-3 , respectively, considering that the revised STCW Convention has been implemented for a considerable period of time.

WHEREFORE, the Board RESOLVE, as it is hereby RESOLVED, as follows:

1. Successful examinees in the Officer in Charge of a Navigational Watch and Officer in Charge of an Engineering Watch licensure examinations shall be issued a Certificate of Registration/License with the corresponding prefix of œD-3  and œE-3 , respectively; and

2. Marine Deck Officers and Marine Engineer Officers in the operational level who are holders of Certificate of Registration/License with a prefix other than œD-3  or œE-3 , may apply for a replacement of his/her Certificate of Registration/License with an assigned prefix of œD-3  and œE-3 , respectively.

RESOLVED FURTHER, that a copy hereof shall be published in the official gazette and furnished the U.P. Law Center.

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

Adopted: 24 July 2008

BOARD FOR MARINE DECK OFFICERS
(SGD.) JAIME D. AQUINO Vice-Chairman
(SGD.) IRENEO U. DELOS SANTOS Member	(SGD.) MIKE L. CASTRO Member
BOARD FOR MARINE ENGINEER OFFICERS
(SGD.) JOSE G. ABUGAN Chairman
(SGD.) MIGUEL O. MARASIGAN Vice-Chairman
(SGD.) VICTORIANO A. ALOJADO Member	(SGD.) FERDINAND R. PASCUA Member
(SGD.) ELDEFONSO G. UBA Member
Attested by:
(SGD.) ATTY. CARLOS G. ALMELOR Secretary, Professional Regulatory Boards
Approved by:
(SGD.) LEONOR TRIPON-ROSERO Secretary
(SGD.) RUTH RA A PADILLA Commissioner	(SGD.) NILO L. ROSAS Commissioner