The Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA), through its Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping (STCW) Office, and the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) successfully conducted a three-day Calibration Workshop for evaluators of Maritime Higher Education Institutions (MHEIs) from December 3–5, 2025.
The joint initiative marks a significant step forward in the agencies’ transition activities under Republic Act No. 12021, the Magna Carta of Filipino Seafarers, and its Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR).
The workshop brought together technical personnel and evaluators from both MARINA and CHED to align and harmonize their understanding of standards, processes, and compliance requirements for maritime programs nationwide. Its primary goal was to build a unified and consistent approach to monitoring MHEIs across the country.
MARINA STCW Office Executive Director Mr. Samuel L. Batalla emphasized the strategic importance of the collaboration:
“By strengthening our processes now, we hope to ensure that all institutions demonstrate readiness and alignment with international expectations. This ultimately safeguards the global recognition of our seafarers’ certificates and maintains the confidence of our maritime partners.”
The intensive three-day program featured technical presentations and collaborative sessions focused on the legal and technical aspects of the transition:
Day 1 covered updates on the Transition Plan implementation, a focused appreciation of facts, and the presentation of the draft revision of Joint CHED-MARINA Memorandum Circular No. 3, series of 2023, for conversion into a MARINA Circular.
Day 2 involved participants presenting group findings on the draft Rules and Regulations on the Monitoring of Bachelor of Science in Marine Transportation (BSMT) and Marine Engineering (BSMarE) programs. The status and operational challenges of monitoring under the Annual Monitoring Plan (AMP) 2025 were also reviewed.
Day 3 culminated in discussions on proposed revisions to monitoring procedures, a thorough review of the Monitoring Guide, and a refresher course on evaluating the acceptability of corrections, identifying root cause analysis, and effective corrective actions.
The Calibration Workshop underscored the renewed commitment of both MARINA and CHED to strengthen the quality and consistency of maritime education in the Philippines. By aligning evaluation processes, adopting best practices, and addressing current challenges, the agencies reinforced their shared objective: to produce highly competent and globally recognized Filipino seafarers, thereby ensuring the country’s continued excellence and competitiveness in the international maritime industry.
