THE Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) has recommended the abolition of an agency which accredits seafarer training centers. If undertaken, the move to eliminate the Maritime Training Council (MTC) will not only confuse seafarers—many of whom have been required to take remedial courses in various training centers—but will also escalate tension between the transport and labor departments.

DOTC Undersecretary Maria Elena Bautista told BusinessMirror Thursday that the agency is reviewing the single authority requirement of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) on the administration of the Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping (STCW) Convention, which sets stringent standards for all seafarers around the world.

“Since MTC is ad hoc in nature for the past 24 years and with the issuance of EO 366 [on rationalization of government agencies’ functions], we are rationalizing the functions which are inherent to the existing agencies,” Bautista said. “If this can be reinforced, only a coordinative body will be needed for policy recommendations.”

Once approved, the council will no longer be able to regulate seafarer training since the mandate originally belongs to the Commission on Higher Education (CHED).

Although the CHED had earlier allowed the MTC to accredit training centers, Bautista said the agency should now revoke its agreement with the MTC.

Maritime Office head Noriel Devanadera, who is based at the Department of Labor and Employment headquarters in Manila, was unavailable for comment. No other MTC personnel was available for comment. MTC, an attached agency under the labor department, currently holds office at the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA).

Created in 1984, the MTC was intended to implement the IMO’s STCW for Seafarers’ 1978 Convention. The council is composed of the Labor secretary as its chairman, while members include the heads of the CHED, POEA, Maritime Industry Authority (Marina), Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, Professional Regulation Commission, Philippine Coast Guard and private-sector representatives from the employer and seafarer sectors.

In 2000, the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Office of the President were added to the roster of its members.

During the past months, the MTC has been pushing for the implementation of management-level courses, which the agency said is important in order for the country to comply with the requirements of the STCW.

Since last year, Marina, the country’s shipping regulator, said that the MTC should also take charge of sea mishaps involving Filipino seafarers.

While both agencies accredit training centers, the MTC has a bigger responsibility since it also oversees courses for seafarers onboard vessels, including management-level programs.

Marina, along with the Office of Transportation Security, regulates training centers for the International Ship and Port Facility Security Code.

Agency intends to abolish maritime council

THE Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) has recommended the abolition of an agency which accredits seafarer training centers.

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