WHEREAS, it is of public knowledge and recognized by no less than President Fidel V. Ramos that Marine Deck and Engine Officers are contributing to the economic progress of the country through their dollar remittances earned abroad.

WHEREAS, when a Marine Officer enters into a contract with a foreign employer during the last year of the validity of his license, the license expires when the officer is on board a vessel and when said vessel reaches its destination, the Marine Officer who disembarks is usually held by port state authorities of the port of call for the reason that his license has already expired.

WHEREAS, these Marine Officers deserve protection of the government while on board merchant marine vessels specially when their licenses expire or about to expire while they are still on duty on board said vessels. One of such protection is the renewal of the licenses of those who are hired during the last year of the validity of their licenses to insure that their licenses are valid while on board international merchant marine vessels.

WHEREAS, the renewal of the licenses of marine officers one year before the expiry dates of said licenses in situation above-cited have been strongly advocated by the Filipino Association for Mariners’ Employment, Inc. (FAME).

WHEREFORE, the Commission resolved as it hereby resolves to allow Marine Deck and Engine Officers of all grades who conclude contracts of employment with foreign shipowners or their agents during the last year of the validity of their licenses to renew their licenses even before their expiration.

The Registration Division is directed to immediately renew, upon application filed and payment of the required fees, the licenses of Marine Deck and Engine Officers of all grades which will expire within one year from the date of application. The three (3) year period of the new licenses shall be added to the unexpired portion or the remaining period of the license which is to expire on the last year of the said license, such that the expiration of the new license shall be on the date it is to expire had it been regularly renewed.

The renewal of license of marine deck and engine officers of all grades before its expiry date shall be allowed only when the Deck or Engine Officer shall submit to the PRC a certification from the shipowner or its/his agent stating that the Deck or Engine Officer concerned has already signed a contract of employment with the shipping company for a period beyond the expiry date of the officer’s license.

Adopted: 12 Nov. 1998

(SGD.) HERMOGENES P. POBRE
Commissioner

(SGD.) ALFONSO G. ABAD
(SGD.) ROSALINDA D. EVANGELISTA
Associate Commissioners