Marina unit upholds BV’s ISO certification for STCW Office

The Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping Office (STCWO) said yesterday it pushed through its total commitment to excellence by maintaining the ISO 9001:2008 Certification issued to it by Bureau Veritas (BV) in August, 2015.

In a report to Marina Administrator Dr. Maximo Q. Mejia, Jr., STCWO executive director Herminio P. Estaniel Jr. and deputy executive directorconcurrent chief of staff Jabeth Sena Jepath A. Dacanay said the STCWO implements quality management system to ‘guide and govern’ its operations from “top to bottom.” Estaniel, a master mariner, pointed out that, “This certification is an important step in assuring that maritime stakeholders continue to receive the best quality of service from STCWO”, adding that this service, professionally and painstakingly rendered, undoubtedly records another milestone in the agency’s history.

Dacanay, a lawyer, explained that the certification audit was conducted by BV in January, 2015 in time with the full implementation of RA 10635the law mandating Marina as the lone maritime administration in the implementation and enforcement of the 1978 Convention on STCW for Seafarers, as amended. “The ISO certification was awarded on Aug. 8, 2015. The Marina STCWO was notified on April 21, 2016, after the first audit surveillance was conducted in January this same year.

According to her, the ISO 9001:2008 quality management standard was developed and published by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). This established an effective quality management program. “Important components of ISO 9001:2008 include compliance with pertinent policies and regulations, customer satisfaction and establishment of processes for continual improvement concerns that the STCWO always values,” she added.

Dacanay stressed that, the current status of the country as the leading source of qualified and competent manpower proves that Marina STCWO has consistently implemented appropriate programs for quality education, training, examination, assessment and certification.

“This latest accomplishment attests to the fine performance of the single maritime administration of the Philippines, standing firm that it is well headed to bringing all Filipino seafarers to full compliance with the 2010 SCTW Convention Manila Amendments, and to continue serving the global maritime industry of tomorrow and beyond.