The Commission on Higher Education on Tuesday said that their new policies, standards and guidelines in maritime training and education are in line with the standards imposed by the European Maritime Safety Agency.

This as the Philippines seeks to regain trust in the European Union maritime industry by undergoing a re-auditing of its seafaring and maritime standards, after being tagged as "non-compliant" to EMSA's Standards of Training Certification and Watchkeeping Requirements.

"Initially, during our previous policies, standards and guidelines, we have been looking into inputs-based (qualifications). What are the equipment present in these schools? What are the qualifications of the faculty members? What EMSA looked into is the matter of teaching and assessment of maritime students. What they are focusing on is the outcomes, the competence of the students? Whatever it is that they have learned from the teaching can translate into their skills," CHEd Executive Director Atty. Cindy Jaro said in a television interview.

EMSA listed down 13 shortcomings and 23 deficiencies to the country's maritime training and education offerings, such as lack of equipment and inconsistent teaching and assessment of maritime students.