The Philippine government has vowed to give out full support to Filipino seafarers to further improve their competence as future facilitators of global trade.
Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon made this commitment as he expressed support to the needs of Philippine Merchant Marine Academy (PMMA) to upskill and elevate the competence of their cadets being prepared as future facilitators of global trade.
During the 205th anniversary of the PMMA on April 4, 2025, Dizon said part of the DOTr initiatives are aimed at giving back time that seafarers will sacrifice once they enter the global maritime industry.
According to Dizon, he will seek support and assistance from the French government for training ships, such as multi-role response vessels, needed by PMMA cadets for certification.
He will also pursue the establishment of the PMMA-Carnival Cruise Line (CCL) building in the academy’s complex in San Narciso, Zambales.
PMMA said that the facility will house three multi-purpose training rooms and two specialized laboratories which shall accommodate training programs for CCL crew and others seafarers on Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping (STCW) courses and shipboard competencies.
The transport chief lamented the lack of support for the sought after Filipino seafarers, saying the DOTr will implement measures to ensure that the historical institution gets the necessary support it needs for its cadets.
He said that recognized institutions, such as PMMA, deserve all the support. He said the lack of support to the PMMA needs saddened him and will certainly upset President Marcos when he knew about it.
Dizon said he already asked PMMA Superintendent Commodore Joel Abutal to submit a list of all the needed support of the academy.
