WHEREAS, Section 10 (l), Article IV of Republic Act No. 8544, known as the “Philippine Merchant Marine Officers Act of 1998”, empowers the Board “to promulgate, administer and enforce rules and regulations necessary for carrying out the provisions of this Act, in accordance with the charter of the Professional Regulation Commission and the STCW ‘78 Convention as amended xxxx”;

WHEREAS, as provided under Section 28, Paragraph 3 (b), Article VI of Board Resolution No. 02-03, the Revised Rules and Regulations Implementing Republic Act No. 8544, the Philippine Merchant Marine Officers Act of 1998, “an applicant for written examination and practical assessment as Officer In Charge of an Engineering Watch (750KW propulsion power or more) must have completed an approved sea service as apprentice engineer/engine cadet, wiper or oiler/motorman or other positions appropriate to watch keeping duties in the engine department on board domestic or seagoing ship, powered by main propulsion machinery of 750KW propulsion power or more for at least twelve (12) months, as part of an approved education and training program, which includes on board training record book and met the standards of competence in Section A-III/1 of the STCW Code” (Underscoring supplied);

WHEREAS, under Regulation III/1 (2.2 and 2.3), Chapter III of the STCW Convention, every candidate for certification as officer in charge of an engineering watch in a manned engine-room or designated duty engineer officer in a periodically unmanned engine-room on a seagoing ship powered by main propulsion machinery of 750KW propulsion power or more shall hold an appropriate certificate must have completed not less than six (6) months seagoing service in the engine department in accordance with section A-III/1 of the STCW Code; and

WHEREAS, to conform to and comply with the afore-mentioned STCW Regulation, there is a need to amend Sec. 28, Pa r. 3(b), Art. VI of the aforesaid Board Res. No. 02-03;

NOW, THEREFORE, the Board RESOLVES, as it is hereby RESOLVED, to amend Sec. 28, Par. 3 (b), Art. VI of Board Res. No. 02-03, the Revised Rules and Regulations Implementing R.A. No. 8544, the “Philippine Merchant Officers Act of 1998”, by requiring applicants for the written and walk-in licensure examination for Officer-In-Charge of an Engineering Watch a completion of at least six (6) months domestic or seagoing service requirement with an approved Training Record Book in compliance with Regulation III/1 (2.2 and 2.3), Chapter III of the STCW Convention.

This Resolution shall take effect after fifteen (15) days from its complete and full publication in the Official Gazette, or in a newspaper of general circulation in the Philippines.

Let copies of this Resolution be furnished to the Central and Regional Offices/Divisions of the Commission involved in licensure examinations and the applicants for examination for their information and guidance.

Adopted: 28 May 2008

(SGD.) C/E JOSE G. ABUGAN Chairman
(SGD.) C/E MIGUEL O. MARASIGAN Vice Chairman	(SGD.) C/ E VICTORIANO A . ALOJADO Member
(SGD.) C/E FERDINAND R. PASCUA Member	(SGD.) C/E ELDEFONSO G. UBA Member
ATTESTED BY:
(SGD.) ATTY. CARLOS G. ALMELOR Secretary, Professional Regulation Boards
Approved by:
(SGD.) LEONOR TRIPON-ROSERO Secretary
(SGD.) RUTH RAÑA PADILLA Commissioner	(SGD.) NILO L. ROSAS Commissioner