PRESIDENT Marcos Jr. on Tuesday renewed his administration’s commitment to advance maritime education to make it “more responsive to the evolving needs of our nation and the global maritime industry.”
The President’s speech at the 201st Commencement Exercises of the Philippine Merchant Marine Academy (PMMA) “Mandagayan” Class of 2024 in Zambales was read by Presidential Assistant on Maritime Concerns Secretary Andres Centino.
Among the initiatives is the revision of standards for the Bachelor of Science in Marine Transportation and Bachelor of Science in Marine Engineering programs that were issued through a joint memorandum by the Maritime Industry Authority (MIA) and the Commission on Higher Education (CHED).
Another policy involves improved procedures for monitoring and evaluating maritime education institutions to ensure that the current maritime education and programs meet the highest global standards in line with the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping for Seafarers.
In February this year, the President issued Executive Order No. 55 which provides for the adoption of the 10-year Maritime Industry Development Plan (MIDP) 2028.
The plan aims to upskill and reskill the maritime workforce, improve their employability, and ensure their continuous growth and development in an ever-evolving sector, among others.
“With all the initiatives the government is pursuing in the maritime sector, I am certain that we will be ushering in a new breed of Filipino sailors who will change our maritime landscape and even the rest of the world for the better,” the President said.
He urged the PMMA graduates to bring the courage and strength of character they possess wherever they are.
Mandagayan, or the “Magigiting na Mandaragat Tagapagpanatili ng Kapayapaan at Kaunlaran ng Bansang Laya,” is composed of 303 graduates. Six are eyeing to join the Philippine Navy, 12 the Philippine Coast Guard, and bulk (285), shipping companies and manning agencies.
