By Rey E. Requejo
The European Union on Tuesday said they see no more reason for the European Commission (EC) to withdraw the recognition of certificates of Filipino seafarers, for now.
EU Ambassador to the Philippines Luc Veron made the assurance after the commission was presented with a 3,500-page “sufficiently convincing” report from the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) to continue recognizing the certification provided by Philippine maritime schools.
“The commission considered there is sufficient progress towards the six areas [of serious deficiencies] as to allow to keep the continuation of the recognition of the certificates,” Veron said in an interview with CNN Philippines.
Prior to the EC decision, the commission evaluated that the Philippine system for Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping (STCW) for Seafarers had serious deficiencies in areas related to the monitoring, supervision, and evaluation of training and assessment; examination and assessment of competence; program and course design and approval; availability and use of training facilities and simulators; onboard training; and issue, revalidation, and registration of certificates and endorsements.
However, Veron noted that “these are not areas that remain problematic,” although they “will continue to monitor” them.
In 2021, the EU gave the Philippine government some time to respond after the regional bloc said it would withdraw its recognition of Filipino seafarers’ certificates.
Eventually, the government issued its “extensively done” response that satisfied the commission’s requirements, and convinced it not to push through with the withdrawal, which would only have had an effect after five years.
The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) called the development a “crisis averted.”
“Sufficient progress has been demonstrated by the Philippine government in their response to our concern, and therefore, we have no reason to continue the withdrawal procedure,” the EU official stressed.
While the commission is bound by laws and regulations to continue assessing the maritime education systems for seafarers, Veron conveyed to the Philippine government: “So far, you know, I’ve known in the foreseeable future, I see no reason for the withdrawal of the certification.”