Exploring the Educational Pathways for Filipino Seafarers

Exploring the Educational Pathways for Filipino Seafarers
Associate Editor November 20, 2025 https://maritimefairtrade.org/exploring-the-educational-pathways-for-fil...

The maritime heritage of the Filipino people is essential, recognized historically by various colonizers and underscored by the establishment of maritime schools in the Philippines before the 20th century. Despite interruptions, such as wars, these institutions adapted and continued to train a skilled workforce for the country’s merchant marine sector, reflecting the innate seafaring aptitude of Filipinos. This mastery of navigation gained international acclaim even prior to the adoption of the International Convention on the Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW).

The global trade frameworks, including the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) and the General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS), facilitated the movement of skilled labor across borders. For the Philippines, negotiations were particularly focused on seafaring professions, allowing for more significant employment opportunities for Filipino seafarers. However, the liberalization of maritime services brought challenges, emphasizing the need for standardized processes, documentation, and regulated supply chains to ensure safety in shipping.

Recognizing these challenges, the Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) has sought to establish its authority in certifying the competence of Filipino seafarers. This effort aims to align Philippine maritime standards with international protocols outlined in the STCW Convention, ensuring that Filipino seafarers can contribute to safe and efficient navigation. The enactment of Republic Act (RA) 10635 in 2015 was pivotal, assigning Marina as the head body for implementing STCW with a focus on compliance, which further expanded Marina’s responsibilities.

The introduction of RA 12021 in 2024—known as the Magna Carta of Filipino Seafarers—elevated Marina’s role, allowing it to function as both the flag administration and the maritime higher education agency. This legislative shift has led to the integration of various functions, which has raised questions about delineation and accountability within the maritime sector. The core responsibilities for maritime education, certification, and labor rights were previously divided among different agencies, but new legislation has blurred these lines.

The shift in STCW functions can be traced back to the 1990s, when the International Maritime Organization (IMO) began requiring audits of labor-supplying countries, highlighting issues that led to the amendments in laws. Although RA 10635 aimed to address compliance issues revealed in audits, deep-rooted nonconformities persisted.

As the maritime landscape continues to evolve, stakeholders hope that the changes introduced with RA 12021 will resolve longstanding problems and reinforce the Philippines’ commitment to maintaining high standards in maritime education and certification. The hope is that these developments will ensure Filipino seafarers retain their esteemed position in the global maritime industry, affirming the resilience and expertise of the nation’s seafaring spirit.