DOTr brass cites MAAP as front runner of maritime education

A high-ranking official of the Department of Transportation (DOTr) described the Maritime Academy of Asia and the Pacific (MAAP) as a front runner in maritime education in its 20 years of existence – a ‘significant’ mark in the maritime community.

In a speech delivered at the graduation rites of the 130 members of the second batch of MAAP classes 2017 held at the academy campus in Kamaya Point, Bgy. Alas-asin, Mariveles, Bataan last Dec. 4, DOTr Assistant Secretary for Maritime Affairs retired Coast Guard OIC-commandant Vice Admiral Lino Dabi, a holder of master’s degree in maritime education from the World Maritime University (WMU), hailed Dr. Conrado F. Oca, chairman –president of Associated Marine Officers’ and Seamen’s Union of the Philippines (AMOSUP) and MAAP president VAdm Eduardo Ma. R. Santos for championing the cause of future professional Filipino merchant officers. AMOSUP runs MAAP, which continues to be the leading maritime institution in Asia, under Santos’ exemplary watch.

One of DOTr’s brilliant officials, Dabi represented President Rodrigo Roa Duterte and DOTr Secretary Arthur P. Tugade at the Yuletide-felt commencement exercises. “The President and the Secretary, both have desired so much to be with us today if important not only for their tight schedule and equally important events that they have earlier committed to attend,” he told a big crowd of attendees.

He said the President has been moving around, meeting as many of our people making them aware that there are bigger issues the country faces- especially the pervading culture of corruption and the menace of drugs. Let just help the President by promoting this awareness,” he said, adding that, the Secretary, on the other hand is also everywhere, to improve the services catered by all sectors – be it air, road, rails and maritime. A common scenario is he is often seen inspecting, inaugurating major projects of the Department as he is one of the key players in the “Build, build, build !” , program anchored on the 0+10 Socio Economic Agenda of this administration.”

Dabi was happy to announce that, “we are fortunate, today’s leadership is looking seaward – giving equal emphasis the maritime sector deserves”. He cited recent Marinas’ launching of its 10-year maritime industry modernization plan that provides general framework and execution plan, re: Modernization of domestic` shipping, Competitiveness of Philippine Registry and Sustaining Competitiveness of Filipino seafarers.

Dabi also announced that the PPA has likewise embarked on aggressive port modernization, to include the current upgrading of the ports of Davao, Iloilo Cagayanan de Oro, and Zamboanga. in order to accommodate increasing port calls and Trade.

To the graduates who hurdled rigorous physical and mental tests and challenges, he said: ’The sea is at times unforgiving, yet also at times serene.” In .both ways, he said, “it will bring the best and the worst of you!” He also shared to the graduates and attendees the living quote from the learned Sir Walter Raleigh: “Whosoever commands the sea, commands the trade; Whosoever commands the trade of the world, commands the riches of the world, and consequently, the world itself.”