947 pass Marine Deck Officers licensure exam in The Philippines

It seems they can skip the test In the PI if they have done certain STCW training. The test is given to all takers at one time and in one place twice a year to maintain integrety. All tests in the PI are administered by the “Professional Regulation Commision” (anything from Sanitation Worker to Doctor and eveything in between, http://www.prc.gov.ph/portal.asp?pid=21).
I found this on that PRC website [I]“Recognition of Certificates. - A foreigner holding a Certificate of Competency issued by his national administration in accordance with STCW Ô78 Convention, as amended, requirements shall be issued special dispensation to serve on board a Philippine registered vessel engaged in the international trade: Provided, That the Philippine Certificate of Competency issued and endorsed by the Board shall be reciprocally recognized by the said foreign national administration to allow the Filipino merchant marine to practice his profession on board the foreigner’s flag vessel”.[/I]

Interesting to see how the country that supplies the majority of seaman world-wide does business, (now if they could just stop overloading their ferries!);

<http://www.gmanews.tv/story/214336/947-pass-marine-deck-officers-licensure-exam>

[I]"A total of 947 out of 1,944 examinees passed the written phase of the marine deck officers licensure examination for various ranks, according to the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC).

The PRC said a total of 75 examinees are exempted from taking the practical examinations as they opted to submit a Certificate of Training and Certificate of Assessment in the Ship Simulator and Bridge Teamwork.

The results were released after three working days from the last day of examinations, the PRC said.

The oath-taking is scheduled on April 11, 2011 at 1 p.m. at the Fiesta Pavilion, Manila Hotel, One Rizal Park, Roxas Boulevard, Manila."[/I] [B]– KBK, GMA News[/B] <!-- W2M OFF -->