Pursuant to the provisions of Regulation 1/9 paragraph 3 and Sections A-1/9 and A-1/2 of the International Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping, as amended, the following requirements shall have to be complied with prior to acceptance and processing of applications.

1. All seafarers requesting issuance/revalidation of Certificates of Proficiency (COP) shall submit a valid medical certificate from a DOH-accredited medical clinic whose validity period shall at least be for a period of one (1) year.
2. Applications for issuance and or revalidation of COPs shall be accompanied with 2 pieces of passport size photos wearing the appropriate uniform corresponding to the rank of the concerned seafarer.

Seafarers not belonging to the Deck and or Engine department on board passenger ships shall have their pictures taken wearing white polo shirt with collar or white blouse with collar on a white background.

Maritime Training Institutions (MTls) or entities submitting requests for issuance of COP and other STCW-related certificates in bulk are required to submit scanned pictures described above in compact or flush disk for facility in editing of the photos.

This Advisory shall take effect immediately upon publication in a newspaper of general circulation.

(SGD.) MAXIMO Q. MEJIA, JR., PhD
Administrator