Adopted: 31 July 2015
Date Filed: 05 August 2015
Pursuant to EO No. 311; Chapter XI-2 IMO SOLAS 1974; The IMO ISPS Code; the IMO MSC Circular 1132 - Guidance Relating to the Implementation of SOLAS Chapter XI-2; DOTC Department Order No. 2004-29; the National Security Program for Sea Transport and Maritime Infrastructure (NSPSTMI), the Office for Transportation Security (OTS) adopts the following guidelines:

I. PURPOSE

To prescribe guidelines for setting and communicating security levels

II. COVERAGE

A.	Philippine registered ships engaged in international and/or domestic voyage;
B.	Philippine ports catering to ships engaged in international and/or domestic voyage.

III. DEFINITION

Security Level 1 - the level for which minimum appropriate protective security measures shall be maintained at all times

Security Level 2 - the level for which appropriate additional protective security measures shall be maintained for a period of time as a result of heightened risk of a security incident

Security Level 3 - the level for which further specific protective security measures shall be maintained for a limited period of time when a security incident is probable or imminent, although it may not be possible to identify the specific target

IV. POLICIES AND GUIDELINES

A.	OTS, as the Designated Authority/Administration, sets the security level for ports within the Philippine territory and for all Philippine flag ships.
B.	Unless otherwise declared, all ports within Philippine territory and Philippine flag ships operate at Security Level 1.
C.	Any change in security level shall be declared by OTS through a Transportation Security Advisory (TSA).
D.	The TSA shall be communicated to Company Security Officers (CSO) and Port Facility Security Officers (PFSO) through fastest means available (e.g. email, fax, text message). The PFSO and CSO shall provide OTS contact details (e-mail address, facsimile number, cell phone number) for communication purposes.
E.	The CSO shall be responsible in the dissemination of the TSA to the SSO.
F.	The PFSO and CSO shall acknowledge receipt of TSA and immediately implement additional security measures consistent with the set security level; and same shall be reported to OTS.
G.	In case of security situation that does not warrant the raising of security level, the PFSO, CSO and SSO may adopt higher security measures as deemed necessary to address said security situation. This should be reported immediately to OTS.
H.	Any query or request for information on security level may be directed to OTS (Tefax: 8537964 [24 hrs.]; OTS Hotline: (0915) 315-5377; e-mail iob_tsoc@yahoo.com.

V. MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

A.	Construction. The provisions herein shall be liberally construed in order to promote its maritime security objectives.
B.	Reservation. Nothing herein shall be construed as precluding OTS, through its Administrator, from implementing/enforcing the provisions enunciated herein; and from prescribing other requirements to meet the constantly evolving challenges in maritime security.
C.	Amendments - Nothing in this circular shall restrict the authority of OTS, through its Administrator, to modify, amend or repeal any provision of this circular by subsequent issuances.
D.	Repeal - All orders, rules and regulations and issuances, or parts hereof, which are inconsistent with this circular, are hereby accordingly repealed or modified.
E.	Separability - If any provision or section of this circular is declared null and void by competent authority, the remaining provisions thereof shall not be affected and shall remain in full force and effect.
F.	Effectivity - This circular shall take effect fifteen (15) days following its publication in the Official Gazette or newspaper of general circulation. A copy of this circular shall be deposited with the University of the Philippines Law Center, in compliance with the Revised Administrative Code.

(SGD) COMMO ROLAND S RECOMONO AFP (RET)
Administrator