THE Philippines remained on the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) list of countries compliant with maritime and seafaring industry standards, the industry regulator said.

The Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) said in a statement Friday the Philippines has kept its position in the IMO White List pending a key compliance audit in 2021.

It said the IMO Maritime Safety Committee confirmed in its June session that the Philippines “communicated its full and complete demonstration” of the provisions of the international convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW).

“This positive development not only maintains the Philippines’ strong position in the international maritime community, but also secures the employment of thousands of Filipino seafarers manning internationally-flagged vessels and supporting the national economy through remittances,” Vice Admiral Narciso A. Vingson, Jr., officer-in-charge at MARINA, was quoted in the statement as saying.

Transportation Secretary Arthur P. Tugade said he wants MARINA to sustain its efforts to remain compliant to the STCW Convention.

“…I challenge MARINA to consistently exert all efforts to further strengthen the country’s performance of its obligations and commitments as an IMO Member State. Ultimately, our seafarers, their families and our nation stand to gain from this consistent compliance,” he was quoted as saying.

Last month, the Palace issued an executive order to form an inter-agency council that will supervise the country’s maritime performance in compliance with IMO standards. This is in preparation for the international organization member state audit scheme (IMSAS), which is scheduled for 2021.

The audit will evaluate the country’s compliance in six aspects: safety of life at sea; prevention of pollution from ships; standards of training, certification and watchkeeping for seafarers; load lines; measurement of ships; and regulations for preventing collisions at sea.

Aside from MARINA, other members of the council are the Department of Transportation (DoTr), Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) and Cebu Port Authority (CPA). — Denise A. Valdez

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