Maritime safety administration in the Philippines : current issues and recommendations
Date of Award
1994
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Master of Science in Maritime Affairs
Specialization
Maritime Safety Administration
Campus
Malmö, Sweden
Country
Republic of the Philippines
First Advisor
Vanchiswar, P.S.
Second Advisor
Mitropoulos, E. E.
Abstract
This dissertation examines the major issues pertaining to the manner maritime safety is presently administered in the Philippines, an archipelagic country of more than 7,000 islands and the biggest source of labor for the world's maritime transportation industry, and forwards recommendations for improvement.
Discussion in the study is premised on the existence of specific inadequacies in the administration of maritime safety in the Philippines, mainly rooted in the fragmentation of different maritime safety functions among agencies which are uncollocated and which possess certain organizational weaknesses. To facilitate discussion on the inadequacies in Philippine maritime safety administration, the study begins with a brief introductory chapter followed by a chapter that provides the reader with a general background on the relevant concepts and theories of maritime safety and maritime safety administration. This is then succeeded by a discussion on the reasons why there is a need for improved maritime safety administration in the Philippines.
The fourth chapter presents the current set-up and organization of maritime safety administration in the Philippines which in the subsequent chapter is examined for inadequacies and deficiencies. The sixth chapter is a survey of past and present attempts to rationalize maritime safety administration in the Philippines and the seventh looks at possible models for reform or reorganization.
The author concludes, among others, that the severity of deficiencies, its negative effects, and the need to fulfill international maritime commitments make the urgency for reform immediate. As recommendations, the author proposes the following:
i. Consolidation of all MSA functions
ii. Collocation of all agencies related to maritime administration
iii. Push for the passage of the PCG Bill
iv. Reform the seafarers examination system
v. Push for PCG autonomy
vi. Increase awareness and encourage research and training in maritime affairs
vii. Maintenance of a permanent and technically competent presence at IMO.
As a reference, the dissertation incorporates as one of its appendices a comparative survey of how maritime safety is administered and organized in different countries.