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WHEREAS, the Philippines is a State Party to the 1978 International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW) for seafarers, as amended in 1995, otherwise known as the STCW Convention;

WHEREAS, the STCW Convention is a maritime safety convention and it is administered under the auspices of the International Maritime Organization (IMO);

WHEREAS, the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) is the main government agency responsible for Philippine participation in the IMO through the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) as Flag State Administration and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) as the Port State Control Administration of the country;

WHEREAS, the IMO through its Sub-Committee on Standards of Training and Watchkeeping (STW) has been deliberating amendments to the STCW Convention and the STCW Code in the light of recent developments involving the competence, training, certification and education of seafarers;

WHEREAS, the IMO Maritime Safety Committee (MSC) in its 84th Session held from 7-16 May 2008 noted the progress of the work relating to the comprehensive review of the STCW Convention and the STCW Code by the IMO Sub-Committee on STW and endorsed the holding of a Diplomatic Conference in 2010 to adopt amendments emanating from the comprehensive review.

WHEREAS, the Philippines, being the major supplier of trained, qualified and competent seafarers, has offered to host the International Diplomatic Conference to Adopt the Amendments to the STCW Convention and the STCW Code in 2010;

WHEREAS, there is a need to constitute a national committee to organize and carry out efficiently all activities relative to this International Diplomatic Conference, and other related meetings thereto;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO, President of the Republic of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by law, do hereby order:

Section 1. LEAD AGENCY. The Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) shall be the lead agency to organize the hosting of this international diplomatic conference.

Section 2. VICE-CHAIRS. The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) shall act as Vice-Chairs.

Section 3. LEAD SECRETARIAT. The Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA), as the Flag State Administration of the Philippines, shall be the Lead Secretariat.

Section 4. AGENCY SUPPORT. The DOTC shall coordinate and seek technical, financial and administrative support from the Office of the Executive Secretary (OES), Department of Budget and Management (DBM), National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), Department of Finance (DOF), Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA), Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), Philippine Merchant Marine Academy (PMMA), Philippine Ports Authority (PPA), Cebu Ports Authority (CPA), Commission on Higher Education (CHED), Overseas Workers’ Welfare Administration (OWWA) Philippine Overseas Employment Agency (POEA), Maritime Training Council (MTC), Department of Health, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of Tourism (DOT), Department of Public Works and Highways (DWH), Department of National Defense (DND), Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of Justice (DOJ), Bureau of Immigration (BI), National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), Office of the Press Secretary (OPS), Public Information Agency (PIA), Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA), Radio-Television Malacañang (RTVM), and from the private sector.

Section 5. TASKS AND FUNCTIONS. The DOTC shall perform the following tasks and functions:

5.1 Formulate and recommend a work program and budget plan for the hosting of this diplomatic conference to the President within 90 days from the signing of this Administrative Offer;

5.2 Implement the work program once approved by the President and supervises and monitors all activities in relation thereto;

5.3 Coordinate with the IMO Secretary-General and the IMO Secretariat for the hosting of activities;

5.4 Call upon any official, agent, employee, agency or instrumentality of the national or local government for any assistance that may be necessary to ensure the success of the Philippine hosting of this diplomatic conference;

5.5 Create Committees; task forces and other appropriate bodies to effectively carry out its objectives;

5.6 Subject to existing laws, rules and regulations, enters into agreements and contracts necessary for the attainment of the objectives of this Administrative Order including contracts for service.

Section 6. The Secretary of Transportation and Communication is hereby authorize to sign the 2010 STCW authorized to sign the 2010 Diplomatic Conference Hosting Agreement in behalf of the Philippine Government with the International Maritime Organization (IMO).

Section 7. The Administrator, Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) is hereby designated as Special Envoy for the Philippine Hosting of this International diplomatic conference and make representation on behalf of the country for the following purposes:

7.1 Attend meetings of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and other relevant international, regional and national forums and dialogues concerning the issues relating to human factors/human element in maritime safety, in general and the training and education o seafarers;

7.2 Present to the international community the Philippine plans for the hosting of this diplomatic conference in Manila in 2010;

7.3 Enter into contracts or agreements necessary to implement the Philippine plan for the hosting of this Diplomatic Conference;

Section 8. FUNDING. The funding requirement for the preparation and hosting of this STCW diplomatic conference in the amount of One Hundred Eighty Five Million Pesos (Php 185 Million) shall be charged against the International Commitment Fund (ICF) for 2010 as proposed for inclusion by the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DA). Additional Funds, as may be necessary, shall be sourced from any available funds as may be determined by the Secretary of Budget and Management (DBM).

Section 9. ADMINISTRATIVE GUIDELINES. The DOTC may adopt such administrative guidelines or regulations as may be necessary to achieve the objectives of this Administrative Circular.

Section 10. EFFECTIVITY. This Administrative Order shall take effect immediately.
DONE in the City of Manila this 27th day of April in the year of Our Lord Two Thousand Ten.


By the President:

(Sgd.) LEANDRO R. MENDOZA
Executive Secretary