Section 10Sec./Art. 10

Powers and Duties of the Boards. – The Boards shall exercise the following powers and duties:

(a) To promulgate and adopt the rules and regulations necessary for carrying out the provisions of this Act;

(b) To supervise and regulate the registration, certification of competency and practice of the Maritime Profession in the Philippines;

(c) To issue certificates of competency and its corresponding endorsement in accordance with STCW '78 standards

(d) To administer oaths in connection with the administration of this Act;

(e) To suspend, revoke or reinstate the Certificate of Competency for the practice of the Maritime Profession;

(f) To adopt an official seal of the Board;

(g) To look into the conditions affecting the practice of the Maritime Profession and whenever necessary, adopt such measures as may be deemed proper for the enhancement and maintenance of high professional and ethical standards of the profession;

(h) To prescribe and/or adopt a Code of Ethical and Professional Standards for the practice of the Maritime Profession

(i) To hear and try administrative cases involving violations of this Act, its Implementing Rules and Regulations, the Code of Ethics for Professional Maritime Officers and for this purpose, to issue subpoena and subpoena duces tecum to secure the appearance of witnesses and the production of documents in connection therewith;

(j) To prescribe guidelines for the Continuing Professional Education (CPE) program in coordination with the accredited and integrated association of Merchant Marine Officers;

(k) In accordance with the STCW '78 Convention and its amendments, to prepare, adopt and issue the syllabi of the subjects for examinations by determining and preparing the questions which shall strictly be within the scope of the syllabus of the subjects for examination;

(l) To promulgate, administer and enforce rules and regulations necessary for carrying out the provisions of this Act, in accordance with the charter of the Professional Regulation Commission and the STCW '78 Convention, as amended: Provided, That in case of subsequent or future amendments to any international convention(s)/conference of which the Philippines is a signatory, the Board is empowered to amend/revise its rules and regulations to conform with the amendments of the said convention(s) without the need of amending this enabling Act;

(m) To approve, issue, limit or revoke the special dispensation to practice the Maritime Profession;

(n) To discharge such other powers and functions as the Board may deem necessary for the practice of the profession and the upgrading, enhancement, development and growth of merchant marine profession in the Philippines.

The policies, resolutions, rules and regulations, issued or promulgated by the Board shall be subject to the review and approval of the Commission. The decisions, resolutions or orders rendered by the Board shall be final and executory unless appealed to the Commission within fifteen (15) days from receipt of the decision.