Pursuant to the provisions of Act 3846, as amended, the provisions of Sections II and III of Article 55 of the Final Acts of the World Administrative Radio Conference of the International Telecommunications Union (ITU), Geneva, and preparatory to the implementation of the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS), the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) hereby promulgates the following guidelines in the issuance of the General Operator's Certificate:

I
General Qualifications of the Applicants
An applicant for General Operator's Certificate shall possess the following qualifications to be able to take the GOC examination.

a.      He must be a Filipino citizen;

b.      He must be at least 21 years of age;

c.       He must be of good moral character;

d.      He must have at least attended an appropriate seminar/training on the operation of Inmarsat and GMDSS facilities offered by a duly accredited radio training center; and

e.      He must be a licensed deck/radio officer.

II
A General Operator's Certificate shall be issued only to applicants who have passed the required NTC examination and have shown knowledge and professional competence in the following aspects:

a.      Detailed practical knowledge in the operation of all Inmarsat and GMDSS sub-systems and equipment.

b.      Ability to send and receive messages correctly by radiotelephony and direct printing telegraphy.

c.       Detailed knowledge of the rules and regulations applicable to radiocommunications, knowledge of the documents relative to charges for radiocommunications and of the provisions of the International Convention for the safety of life at sea (SOLAS) relating to radiocommunications.

This Circular takes effect immediately and supersedes any order, circular, instruction, or memorandum or any part thereof which are inconsistent herewith.

Strict compliance is herewith enjoined.

Adopted: 8 Nov. 1991

(Sgd.) MARIANO E. BENEDICTO II
Commissioner