1.     REFERENCES:

a.     Executive    Order   (EO)   No.   305   œDevolving    to   Municipal    and   City Governments  the  Registration  of Fishing  Vessels  Three  (3) Tonnage  and Below;
 
b.    Implementing  Rules  and Regulations  of EO No. 305 and its implementing Guidelines;

c.    Administrative Order 257 and Joint DILG-DBM Circular No. 1-92;

d.    Legal Service Comment;

e.    Undated Memorandum from OIC, DC;

f.     Memorandum from D, FS dated November 8, 2016;

g.    Memorandum from D, ITMS dated June 27, 2017 (Specification and Costing, Request for); and

h.    Previous proposed Memorandum  on Boat Clearance that was forwarded to TADO then to TDC.

2.    RATIONALE:

This PNP Memorandum Circular (PNPMC) prescribes the guidelines and standard procedures that will govern all PNP units tasked in the implementation of Fishing Vessels Boat Registration Clearance.

3.    SITUATION:

The  marginalized  fisher  folks  nationwide  are facing  difficulty  in registering their fishing vessels three (3) tonnage and below with the national government, especially  in  areas  where  Philippine  Coast  Guard  Offices  are  inaccessible. Hence, through the initiative of the National Anti-Poverty Commission, a pro-poor EO No. 305 was signed by Her Excellency President GLORIA MACAPAGAL ARROYO on April 2 2004, devolving to municipal and city government the registration of fishing vessels three tonnage and below. This is in line with Sec.
139 of RA No. 7160 otherwise known as œThe Local Government Code of 1991  which provides that the Sangguniang Bayan shall issue license for the operation of fishing  vessels  three  tonnage  or less and Sec. 16, 17, 18 of RA No. 8550 known as œThe Philippine Fisheries Code of 1998,  which also provides that the Local Government Units shall have jurisdictions on municipal waters.

Paragraph 3 Section 5 of the implementing guidelines of EO 305 states that œThe  LGUs  shall  require  the  applicants  to  secure  a  clearance  from  the  PNP Maritime Group (MG) Office or in its absence, from the local PNP, certifying that the fishing vessel is not involved in any criminal offense. 

Based on records, several fishing vessels involved in some form of criminal offenses were seized by the MG, local police units and other law enforcement agencies concerned. There are also individuals who utilized stolen motor engines and engines with questionable source of origin that are attached to their fishing vessels.

Therefore, there is a need to intensify the monitoring of these vessels with criminal   records,   enhance   the  coordinative   effort  among   all  PNP  units  to orchestrate its campaign against all forms of criminality involving fishing vessels operating in the territorial waters of the country.

4.    PURPOSE:

This PNPMC will establish a Single database of all fishing vessels three (3) GT and below operating nationwide. In the implementation  of EO 305, the PNP, spearheaded  by  the  Maritime  Group,  supported  by  local  police  office/stations
 
shall  issue  Fishing  Vessel  Clearance  Certificate  to all fishing  vessel  three  (3) gross  tons  and  below  certifying  that  these  vessels  are  not  involved  in  any criminal offense prior registration by the LGU.

5.    GUIDELINES:

a.    Procedures:

1)   Applicant  applying  for  fishing  vessel  registration  shall  secure  Fishing Vessel Clearance from PNP Maritime Group through it ™s Maritime Group Clearance Office (MGCO) and its regional, Maritime Station offices and special  boat  units  prior  issuance  of  certificate  to  fishing  vessel  three gross tonnage and below. In case of absence of MGCO line offices in the area, the clearance shall be given by the local PNP units instead.

2)   The applicant will be given an order of payment by the MGCO Clearance Officer or by the COP of City Police Station/Municipal  Police Station of a coastal area, deputized by C, MGCO, as the case maybe. The deputized collection agent shall issue Official Receipt upon receipt of payment.

3)   The  clearance   application   documents   will  then   be  verified   by  the Information Management and Processing Section (IMPS) MGCO Headquarters which in turn initially examines the completeness and regularity of the documents presented. If complete, the IMPS will conduct data  base  verification  whether  the  fishing  vessel  is  involved  in  any criminal offense or if the vessel or the engine installed is among the list of  wanted/stolen  vessels  and  engines.  If  the  vessel  has  no  criminal record, it will be processed up to the printing of Clearance Certificate;

4)   Upon verification of records- a œFishing Vessel Clearance Certificate  will be  issued  by  the  C,  MGCO  or  the  deputized  officer,  if  there  is  no derogatory record found.

5)   However,  if the  fishing  vessel  being  applied  for clearance  is found  to
have a criminal offense or among the list wanted/stolen  fishing vessels, the person applying for clearance  together with the fishing vessel shall be 'endorsed to the Intelligence and Investigation Section (IIS) for further investigation and disposition. If the vessel is included in the Summary of Information, then it will be validated by the IIS. After validation and/or investigation and the IIS found no reason for denial of clearance, said application will be re-transmitted to the IMPS for re-processing.

6)   After  the  signature  of  the  Chief  of  the  Clearance  Office,  it  will  be transmitted back to the Admin and Records Section for the release of the certificate to the applicant or to the local police unit where the application originates indicating therein the time and the date of the release of the clearance.

7)   A  macro  etching  procedure   shall  be  conducted   by  the  PNP-Crime Laboratory  personnel  in  case  of  transfer  of  ownership  and  Changed engine.

8)   In  case  the  clearance  is  to  be  issued  by  the  local  PNP  unit  being deputized  by C, MGCO, the Chief of Police shall submit to the nearest MG  unit, a periodic  report  pertaining  to the issued  clearances  in their areas. However, payment of clearance fees shall be collected by the MG Deputized Collection Agent.

9)   All  concerned  sections  of  the  clearance  office  shall  submit  periodic reports to the national clearance office for data base updating. Likewise, the finance section shall remit collection regularly based on the existing guidelines in remittance and submit the corresponding  financial reports; and

10) These step-by-step procedure set forth in this PNPMC shall be followed strictly by all implementing units.

b.     General Guidelines:

This  PNPMC  standardizes   and  integrates  the  planning  process  among different PNP units involved in order to effectively and efficiently execute its respective tasks.

The  Fishing  Vessel  Clearance  System  has  dictated  16  mandatory requirements in order to ensure its efficient and effective operation, such as:

1)   Determine  the  number  of unregistered  vessels  3 Gross  Tonnage  and below countrywide;
2)   Provision of appropriate œData Processing System  to be used as a tool in the conduct of boat registration clearance processes;
3)   Determine appropriate fees that will be charged to clients per clearance
that is equivalent to the expenses incurred in the entire clearance system operations;
4)   Determine the manning requirements  of the unit which will manage and implement the operations of MGCO;
5)   Determine  the logistical requirements  needed in the initial as well as in the long-term operations of the Clearance Office;
6)   Preparation   of  documentary   requirements   to  be  submitted   to  DILG and/or to National Tax Research Center-Department  of Finance (NTRC- DOF)  for  approval  prior  implementation  of any  fees  to be  charged  to clients requesting for Fishing Vessels Clearance;
7)   Formulation   of   a   fiscal   directive   based   on   the   DILG/NTRC-DOF
approved fees to be charged per fishing boat clearance documents;
8)   Formulation of SOP on fishing vessels clearance application process that will serve as guide for all personnel in-charge in the management and operations;
9)   Creation of MGCO which will manage the administrative and operational affairs of the fishing vessels clearance system;
10) Collaboration   among   PNP  Units  through   information   and  database sharing;
11) Utilization  of  unit ™s  technical  expertise  for  the  effective  and  efficient management and operations of MGCO;
12) Data base system security and œclearance  security features or markings;
13) Coordination   with  other  agencies/institutions   relative  to  issuance   of receipts, payments of fees, and other related requirements;
14) Information  disseminations  through  quad-media  regarding  SOP  in  the implementation  of  Fishing  Vessels  Clearance  System,  its  Fiscal Directives, and other relevant information; and
15) Coordination   with  LGUs  regarding   implementation   of  the  clearance system as per EO 305, series of 2004.

c.     Specific Guidelines:

The Headquarters Philippine National Police Maritime Group concurrent with its duties and functions  shall establish  a Fishing Vessel Clearance  System under the Office of the MGCO envisioned to have a reliable, competent and efficient professionalized organization capable of providing a systematic database for Fishing Vessels, sustaining maritime environment conducive to economic  growth  held  in  respect,  and  supported  by  the  fisher  folks.  The MGCO  is  composed  of  the  Maritime  Police  National  Database  Center, wherein  information   will  be  processed   in  a  data  bank  and  which  will consolidate   all   pertinent   records   and   come-up   with   a   comprehensive clearance  result;  Maritime  Police  Regional  Data Center  which  shall coordinate  with  other  Regional  PNP  units  involved  in  the  concept  of  this purpose;  Maritime  Police  Station  Data  Center  and  the  Maritime  Police Municipal Data Center which will perform other related task.

The  MG  shall  be  the  sole  PNP  unit  which  shall  supervise,  manage,  and control the operation in the issuance of the said clearance. In places where there are no MG Offices, the local police station that has jurisdiction  in the area  shall  support  the  MG  in  the  initial  evaluation  and  facilitation  of  the clearance application. The local police shall then coordinate with the nearest MG  Offices   in  their  AOR  to  submit   all  documents   of  the  applicants, thereafter; the MG will continue the processing of the clearance application.

After the completion of clearance application process conducted by the MG, a clearance  certificate  will be issued  by the Regional  Maritime  Clearance Office,  to  where  the  application  had  originated  or  to  the  local  police  unit which  initially  received  the  said  application,  and  the  personnel  in-charge thereat will release the same to the applicant.

Other  PNP  Offices/Units  will also  be tasked  in the implementation  of this
PNP MC.

d.     Tasks:

1)   DI

a)     Provide  timely intelligence/information  to all tasked offices/units  on fishing vessels and operators involved in criminal activities; and
b)     Perform other tasks as directed.

2)   DO

a)     Guide MG in the drafting of Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) on the processing of fishing vessels clearance 3GT and below;
b)     Oversee and monitor the implementation of this MC; and c)     Perform other tasks as directed.

3)   DL

a)     Support the logistical requirements of tasked units; and b)     Perform other tasks as directed.

4)   DC

a)     Support the fund requirements of tasked offices/units;
b)     Assist MG in the preparation of documents required in the approval of the request for charging fees/clearance  fees of fishing vessels 3
GT and below; and
c)     Perform other tasks as directed.

5)   DPCR

a)     Supervise the conduct of information dissemination of EO 305, SOP on the application of Fishing Vessels Clearance System, Fiscal Directive, and other relevant information addressed to the target communities concerned; and
b)     Perform other tasks as directed.

6)   DPL

a)     Issue  provisional   activation   order  to  Maritime  Group  Clearance
Office;
b)     Recommend  to NAPOLCOM  en banc the approval of the proposed organizational  structure/staffing   pattern  of  Maritime  Group Clearance Office; and
c)     Perform other tasks as directed.

7)   ITMS

a)     Design  a œDatabase  System   for  Maritime  Group  Fishing  Vessels
Clearance operations;
b)     Periodically update the installed œDatabase System  or upon request of PNP Maritime Group; and
c)     Perform other tasks as directed.

8)   MG

a)     Shall be the lead PNP Unit in the implementation of this MC;
b)     Supervise, manage, and control the issuance of fishing vessel police clearance;
c)     Formulate  an  SOP  to  be  followed  and  complied  strictly  by  all involved PNP units;
d)     Establish the Maritime Group Clearance Office to carry out specific
tasking as stipulated in EO 305;
e)     Establish  single central information  and processing  data bank and consolidate all pertinent records and come up with a comprehensive clearance result;
f)     Formulate a security clearance form and other documents equipped with security features;
g)     Coordinate  with other PNP Offices/Units  involved in the concept of this MC and coordinate with other government agencies concerned;
h)     Provide estimate of the initial logistical and manning requirements of
Maritime Group Clearance Office;
i)     Prepare  the  necessary  documents  that  need  to  be  submitted  to DILG and/or National Tax Research Center for the approval of the proposed fees on fishing boat registration clearance in coordination with DC;
j)     Prepare  Fiscal  Directive  on  Fishing  Boat  Registration  Clearance Fees based on the DILG approval on the same in coordination with DC;
k)     Coordinate  with  concerned  LGU  regarding  the  implementation  of
Fishing Vessel Clearance System;
l)     Initiate  the  conduct  of  consultations  with  different  stakeholders  in three different areas (Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao);
m)   Initiate  the  publication   of  approved   Fiscal  Directive   on  Fishing
Vessel Clearance Certificate Fee with the appropriate outlet; and
n)     Perform other tasks as directed.

9)   RDs, PROs NCR, 1-13, and ARMM

a)     Support the MG in the implementation of this MC;
b)     Disseminate the concept of this MC to the line Offices/Units involved in the operation;
c)     Support the MG in providing information and necessary inputs/data needed  in  crime  reporting  involving  fishing  vessels  as  well  as criminal records of fishing vessels operators and its crew; and
d)     Perform other tasks as directed.

10) IG

a)     Support  the  Maritime  Group  in  providing  intelligence/information report on fishing vessels and their operators involved in any form of criminal activities; and
b)     Perform other tasks as directed.

11) HPG

a)     Coordinate   and  provide  information   and  necessary   data  on  all reported stolen motor vehicle engines to the MG;
b)     Allow   time   access   to   motor   vehicle   database   for   immediate information on stolen vehicles;
c)     Periodically  update  the  record  in  MGCO  central  information  data base; and
d)     Perform other tasks as directed.

12) CLG

a)     Conduct forensic examinations by way of macro-etching procedures on all motor vehicle engines as needed and as required prior to the issuance of clearance from the MG; and
b)     Perform other tasks as directed.

13) FS

a)     Support the MG through provision of PNP official receipt (OR), that will  serve  as  proof  of  payment  for  the  fishing  vessel  clearances issued;
b)     Coordinate  with  Land  Bank  of  the  Philippines  and  BIR  regarding
payment   deposit   scheme   and  TIN  for  use  in  Fishing   Vessels
Clearance System in coordination with MG;
c)     Facilitate the application  for bond to deputized  collection  agents of
Maritime Group Clearance Office; and
d)     Perform other tasks as directed.
e)    Coordinating Instructions:

1)   Concerned  PNP  units  involved  in  the  tasking  are  required  to  have concerted  efforts  in the monitoring  of all criminal  activities  that involve fishing vessels nationwide;
 
2)   All  information  concerning  this  matter  shall  be  consolidated  and  be coursed through the Maritime Group Clearance Office (MGCO); and

3)   Lateral and vertical coordination is highly encouraged/authorized.

7.     PENALTY CLAUSE:

Any violation of this PNPMC shall be dealt with in accordance with existing disciplinary policies.

8.     REPEALING CLAUSE:

All existing PNP directives and other issuances which are contrary to or inconsistent with the provision of this PNPMC are hereby rescinded or modified accordingly.

9.     SEPARABILlTY CLAUSE:

Any portion of this PNPMC inconsistent with the organic law or declared unconstitutional shall not affect the validity of the other provisions.

10. EFFECTIVITY:

This PNP MC shall take effect after 15 days from filing a copy thereof at the UP Law Center on consonance with Section 3, Chapter 2, Book VII of Executive Order 292 otherwise known as the œRevised Administrative Code of 1987,  as amended.