PRESIDENT Benigno S. C. Aquino III has signed into law the measure regulating and modernizing the practice of naval architecture in the Philippines.

Republic Act (RA) No. 10698 creates the Professional Regulatory Board of Naval Architecture which shall supervise and regulate the practice of naval architecture.

The board will also determine the requirements and evaluate the qualifications of applicants for registration to engage in the practice of naval architecture.

It will also inquire into the conditions affecting the practice of the profession and adopt measures for the enhancement and maintenance of high professional, ethical and technical standards.

Naval architecture is a branch of engineering concerned with the hydrodynamic and hull form characteristics of the ship, the structural design of the hull, its maneuverability characteristics and its ability to operate in the marine environment.

It includes Marine Engineering which is primarily concerned with a vessel’s engineering systems.

The law states that all applicants for registration to engage in the practice of naval architecture shall be required to pass the written licensure examination.

A certificate of registration for naval architects will be issued to applicants who will successfully pass the licensure examination.

It requires applicants to obtain at least a 70% general average and no rating below 60% in any subject.

The previous law, RA No. 4565 or the Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering Law, required those who will practice or offer to practice naval architecture and marine engineering to pass a technical examination.

Senate President Franklin M. Drilon, author of the measure, has said that the measure modernizes the practice of naval architecture “to ensure global competitiveness of our shipbuilders and secure our position as a leading global maritime nation.”

Mr. Drilon noted that a third of the world’s 1.5 million seafarers are Filipinos. “Because of their exceptional skills and outstanding work ethic, the Filipino is undeniably the world’s seafarer of choice,” he said.

RA 10698 imposes heavier penalties for the practice of naval architecture without a valid certificate of registration and professional identification card and other violations of the law — a fine of P50,000 to P1 million and imprisonment for six months to three years.

The previous law, signed in 1965, imposes P500 to P2,000 fine and imprisonment of three months to one year.

The law also widens the scope of the practice of naval architecture to include “[t]eaching of naval architecture professional subjects in government-recognized and accredited engineering schools; and [e]mployment in government as a professional naval architect if his work is in line with his profession requiring professional knowledge in naval architecture.” — Kathryn Mae P. Tubadeza

Source: Philippine Star

International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) General Secretary Steve Cotton hailed the country’s seafarers for their “strong family values binding them and their families, leading to progress and development in family and national economic life.”

Speaking at the 55th founding anniversary of Associated Marine Officers’ and Seamen’s Union of the Philippines (AMOSUP) the other night (Nov. 11) at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City, Cotton said of Filipino seafarers, “their sacrifices, hard work and be(ing) away from their families during their tour of duty are paying off,” in terms of financial support to their families, education and healthcare for their children.

As Cotton was addressing the audience, a good news broke – the Philippines just set a new record in Guinness Book of World Records: It is now the country that presented the largest “human-shape wheel formation,” with 2,276 seafarers and maritime students participating at around 3 p.m. on anniversary day of the union.

Mr. Cotton to the top of his voice, shouted on stage: “Filipino seafarers, you are the largest group in the world. Filipino seafarers, you are the best in the world!,” as he vowed to continue ITF’s commitment to give Filipino seafarers more protection and assistance in their work and professional enhancement. There are more than 400,000 Filipino seafarers working aboard foreign ships, more than 100,000 of them are members of AMOSUP – the largest union of marine officers, ratings and other maritime service providers worldwide.

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For his part, AMOSUP president Dr. Conrado F. Oca once more thanked the Filipino mariners for their heartfelt cooperation with the union. He committed more AMOSUP benefits and productive programs for union members. Dr. Oca described Filipino seafaers as “effective workers, and great heroes in maritime and shipping sectors.”

Retired Vice Admiral Eduardo Ma. R. Santos, AMOSUP executive vice president, led the AMOSUP contingents to the arena.

Source: Seafarerstimes

Transportation Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya admitted on Thursday that there were “certain lapses” on the part of the government that resulted to the arrest of some “innocent” individuals, who were detained and charged for alleged possession of ammunition while traveling in Manila’s airports.

Abaya said that from the very start, he believed that Gloria Ortinez, an overseas Filipino worker who was detained and charged for allegedly carrying a bullet last October 25, was innocent.

If Ortinez was indeed innocent, OFWs advocate and senatorial bet Susan Ople then asked if the government would apologize to the victim, who now risks of losing her job in Hong Kong because of the incident.

Ople, who also heads the Blas Ople Police Center, said she and Ortinez will go to Hong Kong this Saturday to talk to the employer and explain the incident.

“Wala pa akong naririnig kung may regret man lang po ba; mayroon po bang pabaon man lang na humihingi ng depensa sa isang OFW na halata naman pong inonsente?” the senatorial bet said during the joint hearing of the Senate blue ribbon and public services committees.

“Wala man lang po bang magpapabaon ng sorry sa inyo kay Nanay Gloria dahil hindi po namin alam talaga kung may trabaho pa siya o wala sa Hong Kong?” she asked.

“From the very start, noong nagsalita ako, naniniwala ako na walang kasalanan po si Nanay Gloria at ang iba pang mga bisita natin dito,” Abaya said.

But Ople insisted that Ortinez, who she said was “completely” innocent, has to show something that the government made a mistake.

“I do agree, I could write a letter right now. She could bring it with her. I could personally make a call to her (employer), if I could get the number , I’ll call the employer,” Abaya said.

“Obviously, there are certain lapses, may pagkukulang ang ating pamahalaan. Whatever Nanay Gloria would request me to do, I’ll do,” he added.

After the hearing, Abaya approached Ortinez and apologized.

Earlier in the hearing, Abaya promised to come out with a clear policies to look after OFWs “and at the same time also protect our enforcers.” JE

Source: INQUIRER.NET