MARINA, the Magna Carta of Filipino Seafarers and the other key laws
1The lesson in plain words
MARINA is the single administration for STCW in the Philippines. The 2024 Magna Carta of Filipino Seafarers now sets your rights in national law.
MARINA
The Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) is the Philippine maritime administration. Republic Act (RA) 10635, approved on 13 March 2014, made it the single administration for the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW). It issues certificates, approves training and assessment, and runs examinations. Executive Order 63 of 2018 strengthened that role.
From PRC to MARINA
RA 8544, the Philippine Merchant Marine Officers Act of 1998, set up the licensing of deck and engine officers through boards under the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC). RA 10635 transferred the PRC's powers over the examination, licensing and certification of these officers to MARINA. Today MARINA runs the theoretical examinations and practical assessments for STCW certificates.
The Magna Carta
RA 12021, the Magna Carta of Filipino Seafarers, was signed on 23 September 2024 and took effect on 11 October 2024. It sets national rights on contracts, wages, hours, leave, medical care, repatriation (returning you home), harassment and grievances. Its implementing rules and regulations (IRR), signed by the DMW and MARINA on 8 January 2025, contain 22 rules. It covers Filipino seafarers on Philippine- or foreign-registered ships plying international waters, and Filipino cadets.
The DMW
The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) was created by RA 11641 in 2021. It took over the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA). The DMW licenses manning agencies, which recruit seafarers for shipowners, and sets the standard employment contract for overseas seafarers, covered in the contract lesson.
Domestic and coastal law
Domestic shipping is regulated by MARINA under RA 9295, the Domestic Shipping Development Act of 2004. The Philippine Coast Guard enforces safety and pollution rules at sea. The 2024 maritime zones and archipelagic sea lanes laws are law-of-the-sea topics; see Law: law of the sea.
2Key data
- RA 10635
- Approved 13 March 2014: MARINA as single STCW administration
- RA 8544 (1998)
- Merchant Marine Officers Act; licensing moved from PRC to MARINA
- RA 12021 Magna Carta
- Signed 23 Sep 2024; in effect 11 Oct 2024
- Magna Carta IRR
- Signed 8 January 2025 by DMW and MARINA; 22 rules
- RA 11641 (2021)
- Created the DMW, which absorbed the POEA
3Key points
- 1
RA 10635 (2014) makes MARINA the single maritime administration for STCW.
- 2
RA 10635 moved officer licensing from the PRC to MARINA.
- 3
RA 12021, the Magna Carta of Filipino Seafarers, has been in effect since 11 October 2024.
- 4
Its IRR, signed on 8 January 2025, applies it in detail.
- 5
The DMW (RA 11641) replaced the POEA for overseas employment.
4Frequent mistakes
Wrong: The PRC still issues deck officer licences.
Right: RA 10635 transferred examination, licensing and certification of marine officers to MARINA.
Wrong: The Magna Carta applies only to seafarers on Philippine-flagged ships.
Right: It covers Filipino seafarers on Philippine- or foreign-registered ships plying international waters, and Filipino cadets.
5Practice case & exam keys
Your agency says the PRC can renew your officer in charge of a navigational watch (OIC-NW) certificate and that the Magna Carta does not protect you on a foreign-flag ship in international waters. Should you accept either claim?
Show the answer
Reject both claims. MARINA handles officer certification and revalidation; RA 10635 transferred that role from the PRC. The Magna Carta covers Filipino seafarers on Philippine- or foreign-registered ships plying international waters, and Filipino cadets. A foreign flag alone does not remove its protection.
Exam keys
- RA 10635 (13 March 2014): MARINA single maritime administration for STCW; EO 63 (2018).
- RA 8544 (1998): officer licensing, now exercised by MARINA.
- RA 12021 Magna Carta of Filipino Seafarers: in effect 11 Oct 2024; IRR signed 8 Jan 2025.
- RA 11641: DMW replaced the POEA; RA 9295 domestic shipping.
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