Republic Act No. 9295 — Philippine Laws

Twelfth Congress Third Regular Session

Begun and held in Metro Manila, on Monday, the twenty-eight day of July, two thousand and three.

Republic Act No. 9295 May 03, 2004

AN ACT PROMOTING THE DEVELOPMENT OF PHILIPPINE DOMESTIC SHIPPING, SHIPBUILDING, SHIP REPAIR AND SHIP BREAKING, ORDAINING REFORMS IN GOVERNMENT POLICIES TOWARDS SHIPPING IN THE PHILIPPINES AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippine Congress Assembled:

CHAPTER I GENERAL PROVISIONS

Section 1. Short Title

This Act shall be known as the "Domestic Shipping Development Act of 2004."

Section 2. Declaration of Policy

The State recognize that shipping is a necessary infrastructure, which is vital to the economic development of our country.

The Philippines needs a strong and competitive domestic merchant fleet owned and controlled by Filipinos or by corporations at least sixty percent (60%) of the capital of which is owned by Filipinos and manned by qualified Filipino officers and crew which shall:

(a)bridge our islands by ensuring safe, reliable, efficient, adequate and economic passenger and cargo services;

(b)encourage the dispersal of industry and the economic development of our regional communities by ensuring the availability of regular, reliable and efficient shipping services;

(c)ensure the growth of exports by providing necessary, competitive and economical domestic sea linkage;

(d)serve as a naval and military auxiliary in times of war and other national emergencies; and

(e)function as an employment support base for our Filipino seafarers.

To attain these objectives, it is hereby declared to the policy of the State to;

(a)promote Filipino ownership of vessels operated under the Philippine flag;

(b)attract private capital to invest in the shipping industry by creating a healthy and competitive investment and operating environment;

(c)provide necessary assistance and incentives for the continued growth of the Philippine domestic merchant marine fleet;

(d)encourage the improvement and upgrading of the existing domestic merchant marine fleet and Filipino crew to meet international standards;

(e)ensure the continued viability of domestic shipping operations; and

(f)encourage the development of a viable shipbuilding and ship repair industry to support the expansion and modernization of the Philippine domestic merchant marine fleet and its strict adherence to safety standards which will ensure the seaworthiness of all sea-borne structures.

Section 3. Definition of Terms

As used in and for purposes of this Act, the following terms, whether in singular or plural are hereby defined as follows:

(a)"Domestic shipping" shall mean the transport of passenger or cargo, or both, by ships duly registered and licensed under Philippine law to engage in trade and commerce between Philippine ports and within Philippine territorial or internal waters, for hire or compensation, with general or limited clientele, whether permanent occasional or incidental, with or without fixed routes, and done for contractual or commercial purposes;

(b)"Domestic trade" shall mean the sale, barter or exchange of goods, materials or products within the Philippines;

(c)"Domestic Ship Operator" or "Domestic Ship Owner" may be used interchangeably and shall mean a citizen of the Philippines, or a commercial partnership wholly owned by Filipinos, or a corporation at least sixty percent (60%) of the capital of which is owned by Filipinos, which is duly authorized by the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) to engage in the business of domestic shipping;

(d)"Shipper" shall mean any person, partnership or corporation who shall procure for itself the services of a domestic ship operator for the carriage of its cargo in the domestic trade upon payment of proper compensation;

(e)"MARINA" shall mean the Maritime Industry Authority;

(f)"Ship" or "Vessel" may be used interchangeably and shall mean any kind, class or type of craft or artificial contrivance capable of floating in water, designed to be used, or capable of being used as a means of water transport in the domestic trade for the carriage of passengers or cargo, or both, utilizing its own motive power or that of another;

(g)"Importation" shall mean the direct purchase, lease or charter of newly constructed or previously owned ships, or the purchase of ship's spare parts from foreign sources or from registered enterprises operating in special economic zones as this terms is defined in Republic Act No. 7916 entitled, "The Special Economic Zone Act of 1995," (h) "Spare parts" shall mean the replacement parts or components of vessel, including but not limited to its hull, engines, machineries, equipment, appurtenances, necessaries accessories, article, supplies, materials, steelplates, aluminum plates, other metal plates, communications, equipment, and other parts or components thereof, installed abroad the ships necessary for its safe and efficient navigation and operation;

(i)"Certificate of Public Convenience' shall mean the license on authority issued by MARINA to a domestic ship operator to engage in domestic shipping;

(j)"Cargo handling equipment' shall mean any machinery, gear or equipment used by the ship operator or a duly authorized and licensed port operator to service or handle cargo, on board the vessel at the port or in the terminal or container yard such as, but not limited to cranes, forklifts, top lifts, stackers, tractor heads, containers, pallet boards and the like, including all spare parts, replacement parts, appurtenances accessories, articles, supplies and materials thereof;

(k)"Shipbuilding" shall mean the design, construction, launching and outfitting of all types of ships and watercraft;

(l)"Ship repair" shall mean the overhaul, refurbishment renovation improvement, or alteration of the hull, machineries, equipment, outfits and components of all types of ships;

(m)"Shipyard" shall mean the shipbuilding or repair facilities which have the capability to lift vessels above the waterline in order to effect ship work on vessels, appendages, structure, machinery and equipment; and

(n)"Shipbuilder" or "Ship repairer" shall mean a citizen of the Philippines, or a commercial partnership owned by majority of Filipinos or a corporation incorporated under the laws of the Philippines, the capital of which is owned or controlled in any proportion by Filipinos or by foreign nationals, or by both such Filipinos or foreign nationals, or by corporations whether Filipino or foreign-owned, which is duly authorized by the MARINA to engage in the business of shipbuilding or ship repair or to otherwise operate a shipyard, graving dock or marine repair yard. CHAPTER II INVESTMENT INCENTIVES

Section 4. Investment Incentives

To insure the continued viability of domestic shipping, and to encourage investments in the domestic shipping industry, the following incentives shall be granted to qualified domestic ship operators:

(a)Exemption from value-added tax on the importation and local purchase of passenger and/or cargo vessels of one hundred fifty (150) tons and above, including engine and spare parts of said vessels: Provided: That the vessels to be imported shall comply with the age limit requirement at the time of acquisition counted from the date of the vessels, original commissioning, as follows;

(1)For passenger and/or cargo vessels, the age limit is fifteen (15) years old, 2) For tankers, the age limit is ten (10) years old, and 3) For high-speed passenger crafts, the age limit is five (5) years old; and

(b)Exemption from value-added tax on the importation of life saving equipment , safety and rescue equipment and communication and navigational safety equipment, steel plates and other metal plates including marine-grade aluminum plates, used for transport operations. The importation of the articles under Section 4(a) and (b) of the Act shall be granted exemption from value-added tax subject to the following conditions:

(1)That said articles are not manufactured domestically in sufficient quantity, of comparable quality and at reasonable prices;

(2)That said articles are directly imported by a MARINA-registered domestic shipping operator;

(3)That said articles are reasonably-needed and will be used exclusively by the registered domestic shipping operator in its transport operations;

(4)That the approval of MARINA was obtained prior to the importation of said articles; and

(5)That exemption from value-added tax on the importation of said articles shall be granted to all domestic shipping operators within a period of ten (10) years from the effectivity of this Act. Any sale, transfer or disposition of articles covered under Section 4 (a) and (b) within ten (10) years from the effectivity of this Act to another registered shipping operator enjoying similar incentive shall require prior approval of MARINA.

If the sale, transfer or disposition was made without prior approval of MARINA, both the vendor and the transferee or assignee shall be liable to pay twice the amount of value-added tax exemption given him: Provided, further, That if the sale transfer or disposition was made to nonexempt entity or to a party other than a registered domestic ship operator within ten (10) years from the effectivity of this Act, both the vendor and the transferee or assignee shall be solidarily liable to pay twice the amount of the value-added tax waived: Provided, finally. That the sale, transfer or disposition made after ten (10) years from the effectivity of this Act shall be made by informing MARINA in writing. The purchasers, transferees, or recipients shall be considered the importers thereof, who shall be liable for any internal revenue tax on such importation. The tax due on such importation shall constitute a lien on the article itself, and such lien shall be superior to all charges or liens on the goods, irrespective of the possessor thereof. The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) shall be furnished with notice of actions taken by the MARINA.

(c)Net operating loss carry over. A net operating loss in any taxable year immediately preceding the current taxable year, which had not been previously offset as a deduction from gross income shall be carried over for the next three (3) consecutive taxable years immediately following the year of such loss subject to the pertinent provisions of the National Internal Revenue Code of 1997, as amended.

(d)Accelerated depreciation. Fixed assets my be depreciated as follows:

(i)To the extent of not more than twice as fast as the normal rate of depreciation or depreciated at normal rate of depreciation if the expected life is ten (100 years or less; or

(ii)Depreciation over any number of years between five (5) years and the expected life if the latter is more than ten (10) years, and the depreciation thereon allowed as deduction from taxable Income: Provided, That the domestic shipping operator notifies the BIR at the beginning of the depreciation period which depreciation rate allowed by this section will be used. CHAPTER III DEREGULATION OF THE DOMESTIC SHIPPING INDUSTRY-AUTHORITY OF THE MARITIME INDUSTRY AUTHORITY

Section 5. Authority to Operate

No franchise, certificate or any other form authorization for the carriage of cargo or passenger, or both in the domestic trade, shall be granted except of domestic ship owners or operators.

Section 6. Foreign Vessels Engaged in Trade and Commerce in the Philippines Territorial Waters

No foreign vessel shall be allowed to transport passengers or cargo between ports or place within the Philippine territorial waters, except upon the grant Special Permit by the MARINA when no domestic vessels is available or suitable to provide the needed shipping service and public interest warrants the same.

Section 7. Issuance of Authority to operate

the MARINA shall have the power and authority to issue certificates of public convenience to qualified domestic ship operators, taking into consideration the economic and beneficial effect which the proposed services shall have to the port province or region which it proposes to serve, and the financial capacity of the domestic ship operator to provide and sustain safe, reliable, adequate, efficient and economic service in accordance with the standards set by the government regulation.

Every domestic ship operator shall state in its application the route it proposes to serve, and the service it proposes to offer. Domestic ship operators who do not intend to operate in a fixed route shall nevertheless state in its application the service it proposes to offer.

Section 8. Deregulation of the Domestic Shipping Industry

In order to encourage investments in the domestic shipping industry by existing domestic ship operators and attract new investment from new operators and investors, domestic ship operators are hereby authorized to establish their own domestic shipping rates: Provided, That effective competition is fostered and public interest is served.

The MARINA shall monitor all shipping operations and exercise regulatory intervention where it is established after due process that public interest needs to be protected and safeguarded.

Section 9. Safety Standards

All vessels operate by domestic ship operators shall at all times be in seaworthy condition properly equipped with adequate life-saving, communication, safety and other equipment operated and maintained in accordance with the standards set by MARINA, and manned by duly licensed and competent vessel crew.

The MARINA shall have the power to inspect vessels and all equipment on board to ensure compliance with safety standards.

Section 10. Jurisdiction; Power; and Duties of MARINA

The MARINA shall have the power and authority to:

(1)Register vessels;

(2)Issue certificates of public convenience or any extensions or amendments thereto, authorizing the operation of all kinds. Classes and types of vessels in domestic shipping: Provided, That no such certificate shall be valid for a period of more than twenty-five (25) years;

(3)Modify, suspend or revoke at any time upon notice and hearing, any certificate, license or accreditation it may have issued to any domestic ship operator;

(4)Establish and prescribe routes, zones or areas of operations of domestic ship operators;

(5)Require any domestic ship operator to provide shipping services to any coastal area, island or region in the country where such services are necessary for the development of the area, to meet emergency sealift requirements, or when public interest so requires;

(6)Set safety standards for vessels in accordance with applicable conventions and regulations;

(7)Require all domestic ship operators to comply with operational and safety standards for vessels set by applicable conventions and regulations, maintain its vessels in safe and serviceable conditions, meet the standards of safety of life at sea and safe manning requirements, and furnish safe, adequate, efficient, reliable and proper service at all times;

(8)Inspect all vessels to ensure and enforce compliance with safety standards and other regulations;

(9)Ensure that all domestic ship operators shall have the financial capacity to provide and sustain safe, reliable, efficient and economic passenger or cargo service, or both;

(10)Determine the impact which any new service shall have to the locality it will serve;

(11)Adopt and enforce such rules and regulations which will ensure compliance by every domestic ship operator with required safety standards and other rules and regulations on vessel safety;

(12)Adopt such rules and regulations which ensure the reasonable stability of passengers and freight rates and, if necessary, to intervene in order to protect public interest;

(13)Hear and adjudicate any complaint made in writing involving any violation of this law or the rules and regulations of the Authority;

(14)Impose such fines and penalties on, including the revocations of licenses of any domestic ship operator who shall fail to maintain its vessels in safe and serviceable condition, or who shall violate or fail to comply with safety regulations;

(15)Investigate any complaint made in writing against any domestic ship operator, or any shipper, or any group of shippers regarding any matter involving violations of the provisions of this Act;

(16)Upon notice and hearing, impose such fines, suspend or revoke certificates of public convenience or other license issued, or otherwise penalize any ship operator, shipper or group of shippers found violating the provisions of this Act; and

(17)Issue such rules and regulations necessary to implement the provisions of this Act: Provided, That such rules and regulations cannot change or in any way amend or be contrary to the intent and purposes of this Act. CHAPTER IV RATES

Section 11. Rates

Every domestic ship operator shall have the right to fix its own passenger pr cargo rates, or both.

Section 12. Government Cargo

Every domestic ship operator shall have the obligation to carry mail on mutually agreed terms and conditions and preferential, negotiated conditions shall be given for the carriage of other government cargo.

Section 13. Monopolized Routes

The MARINA shall have the authority to draw up such rules and regulations necessary for service in monopolized routes to determine the fairness of passenger and cargo rates needed to sustain the service taking into consideration the economic and beneficial effect which the service shall have to the port, province, island or region it proposes to serve, the volume of passengers and cargo available, the level and quality of service offered by the ship operator, and the available port facilities and terminal handling services.

CHAPTER V COMPULSORY INSURANCE COVERAGE

Section 14. Compulsory Insurance Coverage for Passenger and Cargo

To meet its financial responsibility for any liability which a domestic ship operator may incur for any breach of the contract of carriage, every domestic ship operator shall be required to submit annually the following;

(1)Adequate insurance coverage for each passenger in an amount to be computer in accordance with existing laws, rules and regulations, and the total amount of such coverage shall be equivalent to the total number of passenger accommodations being offered by the vessel;

(2)Adequate insurance coverage for cargo in an amount to be computed in accordance with existing laws, rules and regulations, and the total amount of such coverage shall be equivalent to the total cargo capacity being offered by the vessel; and

(3)If a domestic ship operator should offer both passenger and cargo service, then the total insurance coverage shall be in the total sum equivalent to that stipulated in paragraphs (1) and (2) of this section.

Provided, That if a domestic ship operator should operate more than one (1) vessels, the amount of insurance coverage required under this section, for purposes of providing financial capacity, shall be the amount equivalent to the total number of passenger accommodations, or total cargo capacity, or both, of the largest operating vessel which the domestic ship operator may have: Provided, further, That the total insurance coverage which may be required of any domestic ship operator shall not exceed the value of such vessel: Provided, finally, that adequate insurance coverage shall be obtained from any duly licensed insurance company or international protection and indemnity association.

Section 15. Other Insurance Coverage

the MARINA shall have the power to require every ship operator to obtain such other compulsory insurance coverage necessary to adequately cover claims for damages.

CHAPTER VI PROHIBITED ACT AND PRACTICES

Section 16. Prohibited Acts and Practices of Domestic Ship Operators

the MARINA shall have the power to impose such fines and penalties against every domestic ship operator who shall:

(1)Operate without a valid certificate of public convenience, accreditation or other form of authority required by this Act;

(2)Refuse to accept or carry any passenger or cargo without just cause;

(3)Fail to maintain its vessels in safe and serviceable condition, or violate safety rules and regulations;

(4)Fail to obtain or maintain adequate insurance coverage;

(5)Fail to meet or maintain safe manning requirements; and

(6)Such other acts which the MARINA shall determine, after due notice and hearing, to be detrimental or prejudice to the safety, stability and integrity of domestic shipping. CHAPTER VII FEE, FINES AND PENALTIES

Section 17. Fees

The MARINA shall have the power to impose, fix, collect and receive, in accordance with the schedules approved by its Board, such fees necessary for the licensing, supervision, regulation, inspection, approval and accreditation of domestic ship operators and the promotion and development of the country's maritime industry. The MARINA shall have the power to establish and manage a trust fund for this purpose. Fees prescribed by the MARINA under this section shall be imposed and collected in order to recover the cost for rendering the service and shall not be used in order to impose a penalty on the domestic ship operator. Excessive fees, multiple fees and duplicative fees shall at all times be avoided. The supervision fee provided in Section 40(e) of Commonwealth Act No. 146 insofar as the same applies to the operation, management, control and regulation of vessels, steamboats, steamship lines, ferries, water craft and the like, is hereby repealed.

Section 18. Fines and Penalties

The MARINA, upon notice and hearing and a determination of the existence of any breach or violation of the provisions of this Act or any rules and regulations issued pursuant thereto, shall have the power and authority to:

(1)Suspend or revoke any certificate of public convenience, license, permit, accreditation, or other form of authority issued to any domestic ship operator who shall violate any provision of this Act or any rules and regulations issued pursuant thereto, or any condition impose on such certificate of public convenience, license, permit or accreditation;

(2)Impose a fine on a domestic ship operator who shall operate without a valid certificate of public convenience, license, permit, accreditation or other form of authority;

(3)Impose a fine on a domestic ship operator in an amount to be determined by the MARINA for refusing to accept, or to carry passengers or cargo, without just cause, or for engaging in any prejudicial, discriminatory or disadvantageous act towards any class of passengers or shippers;

(4)Impose a fine on any domestic ship operator in an amount to be determined by the MARINA, or suspend or revoke the certificate of public convenience of such domestic ship operator, or both, who shall fail to meet the standards of such safety or who refuses to comply with or violates safety regulations imposed by the MARINA or fails to maintain its vessels in safe and serviceable condition;

(5)Impose a fine on any domestic ship operator in an amount to be determined by the MARINA, or impose such other penalty, including the revocation of any certificate or license, who fails to procure or renew required insurance policies;

(6)Impose a fine on any domestic ship operator in an amount to be determined by the MARINA or impose such other penalty, including the revocation of any certificate or license who fails to meet or maintain safe manning requirements; and

(7)Impose such other fines and penalties the MARINA may deem necessary and appropriate in order to enforce the provision of this Act. CHAPTER VIII SHIPBUILDING

Section 19. Shipbuilding and Ship Repair Investment Incentives

To encourage investments and to and ensure the development of a viable shipbuilding and ship repair industry, the following incentives are hereby granted:

(a)Exemption from value-added tax on the importation of capital equipment, machinery, spare parts, life-savings ang navigational equipment, steel plates and other metal plates including marine -grade aluminum plates to be used in the construction, repair, renovation or alteration or any merchant marine vessel operated or to be operated in the domestic trade. The importation of the above articles shall be granted exemption from value-added tax subject to the following conditions:

(1)That said articles are not manufactured domestically in sufficient quantity, of comparable quality and at reasonable prices;

(2)That said articles are directly imported by a MARINA-registered shipbuilders and ship repairer;

(3)That said articles are reasonably needed and will be used exclusively by the registered shipbuilders and ship repairer;

(4)That the approval of MARINA was obtained prior to the importation of said articles ; and

(5)That shipbuilders and ship repairers may avail of the exemption from value-added tax provided herein within a period of ten (10) years from the approval of this Act. Any sale, transfer or disposition of articles under Section 19 (a) within ten (10) years from the effectivity of this Act to another registered shipbuilder or repairer enjoying similar incentive shall require prior approval of MARINA.

If the sale, transfer or disposition was made without prior approval of MARINA, both the vendor and the transferee or assignee shall be liable to pay twice the amount of the value-added tax exempt given him: Provided, further, That if the sale, tranfer or disposition was made to a nonexempt entity or to a party other than that a registered shipbuilder or repairer within ten (10) years from the effectivity of this Act, both the vendor and the transferee or assignee shall be solidarily liable to pay twice the amount of the value-added tax waived;

Provided, finally, That the sale, transfer or disposition made after ten (10) years from the effectivity of this Act shall be made by Informing MARINA in writing. The purchaser, transferees or recipients shall be considered the Importers thereof, who shall be liable for any internal revenue tax on such importation. The tax due on such importation shall constitute a lien on the foods superior to all changes or liens on the goods, irrespective of the possessor thereof. The BIR shall be furnished with notice of actions taken by the MARINA.

(b)Net operating loss carry-over. A net operating loss in any taxable year immediately preceding the current taxable year, which had not been previously offset as a deduction from gross income shall be carried over as a deduction from gross income for the next three (3) consecutive taxable years immediately following the year of such loss subject to the pertinent provisions of the National Internal Revenue Code of 1997, as amemded;

(c)Accelerated depreciation. Fixed assets may be depreciated as follow:

(i)To the extent of not more than twice as fast as the normal rate of depreciation or depreciated at normal rate of depreciation if the expected life is ten (10) years or less; or

(ii)Depreciated over any number of years between five (5) years and the expected life if the latter is more than ten (10) years, and the depreciation thereon allowed as deduction from taxable income.

Provided, That the registered shipbuilder and ship repairer notifies the BIR at the beginning of the depreciation period which depreciation rate allowed by this section will be used.

Section 20. Restrictions on Vessel Importation

Ten (10) years from the effective date of this Act and every year thereafter, the MARINA shall evaluate and determine the progressive capability of MARINA- registered shipyards to build and construct new vessels for the domestic trade. In the first year of evaluation, the MARINA shall determine the capability of MARINA-registered shipyards to build new vessels below 500 GRT. If, upon evaluation, the capability of MARINA-registered shipyards to build classed vessels below 500 GRT in quantities sufficient to meet domestic demand is proven, then all domestic ship operators shall be discouraged from importing new or previously owned vessels that are less than 500 GRT for the domestic trade and vessels built in MARINA-registered shipyards shall be given priority for entry in the Philippines Registry and allowed to operate in the domestic trade. The MARINA shall undertake a yearly evaluation of the progressive capabilities of all MARINA-registered shipyards to build larger classed vessels for the domestic trade in quantities sufficient to meet the demand of domestic ship owners and shall correspondingly adjust the size of vessels which may be sourced from MARINA-registered shipyards. CHAPTER IX TRANSITORY PROVISIONS

Section 21. Period of Transition

Upon the approval of this Act existing liner operators shall continue to operate in their route.

Section 22. Classification of Vessels in the Domestic Trade

A vessels, whether newly built or previously owned, which are acquired or after the effectivity of this Act shall be classed by a government recognized classification society on the date of acquisition prior to the operation in the domestic trade.

Section 23. Retirement of Old Vessels

Immediately upon the approved of this Act, the MARINA shall prepare and implement a mandatory vessel retirement program for all unclassed vessels that fail to meet the classification standards of a government-recognized classification society. All vessels which have attained the maximum vessel age stipulate by MARINA's mandatory vessel retirement program and which do not carry a class certificate issued by a government-recognized classification society shall not be allowed to operate in the domestic trade and shall be automatically de-listed from the Philippine Registry. CHAPTER X FINAL PROVISIONS

Section 24. Temporary Take-Over of Operations

In times of national emergency, when the public interest so requires, the State may during emergencies and under reasonable terms prescribed by it, temporary take over or direct the operations or any vessel engaged in domestic trade and commerce, or prescribe its rates or routes of operation. Immediately upon the cessation of the emergency, the State shall immediately reinstate to the domestic ship operation of its vessel under the same terms and conditions prior to the occurrence of the emergency.

Section 25. Separability Clause

If, for any reason, any section, subsection, sentence, clause or term of this Act is held to be illegal invalid or unconstitutional, such parts not affected by such declaration shall remain in full force and effect.

Section 26. Repealing Clause

The provisions of Commonwealth Act No. 146, insofar as the same applies to the operation, management control and regulation of vessels, steamboats, steamships, lines, ferries, water craft and the like, as well as the provisions of Presidential Decree No. 474, Executive Order Nos. 125 and 125-A, and such other laws, presidential decrees, executive orders, issuances, rules and regulations or parts thereof, which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly.

Section 27. Effectivity

This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days following its publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,

FRANKLIN DRILON

President of the Senate

JOSE DE VENECIA JR.

Speaker of the House of Representatives

For information and research only, and not legal advice. This text may not reflect later amendments. For certified copies, refer to the Official Gazette or the issuing agency.

In plain language