PMMA to select cadet from each congressional district yearly
THE House of Representative panel on higher education has approved a consolidated bill mandating the Philippine Merchant Marine Academy (PMMA) to choose one cadet from each of the 253 congressional districts every year to comprise its incoming class.
The Committee on Higher and Technical Education, chaired by Baguio City Rep. Mark Go, approved on Monday, November 14, the consolidated measures, House Bills 2458 and 4835, that would allow aspiring cadets from far-flung areas a chance to fulfill their dreams of becoming merchant marine and naval officers.
“The PMMA fully supports the HB 4835, otherwise known as the ‘Act Mandating the Philippine Merchant Marine Academy to Select One Cadet from Each Congressional District Every Year to Comprise its Incoming Class (Freshmen),’” the Academy said in a statement.
It also suggested that the number of freshmen to be accepted from each district shall be in addition to the current allowable number of freshmen being admitted by the PMMA. The academy only accepted 381 incoming freshmen this school year, as this is the number that can be supported by its current budget.
The academy likewise suggested that with the considerable increase in the number of incoming cadets of the PMMA, appropriate budgetary requirements must be included
in the provisions, such as additional facilities like barracks, classrooms, mess hall and others as necessary; additional equipment for simulators and other laboratory equipment; meal allowances/budget; and other benefits provided to the PMMA cadets.
The creation of new testing areas in the different districts, especially in the far-flung areas, with an appropriate budget was also requested.
“With the 100% employment of the PMMA graduates, it is assumed that increasing the number of PMMA students and graduates will eventually lead to the socioeconomic development of the Filipinos and our nation. Thus, providing a slot in each district would result in improved equity among Filipinos all over the country,” the academy said in
its official statement.
Based on PMMA’s records, the highest number of enrollees came from National Capital Region, Pangasinan and Kalinga.
Of the 81 provinces, only 63 have a PMMA cadet. The following provinces do not have a share in the current Corps of Midshipmen: Apayao, BARMM, Batanes, Biliran, Camiguin, Davao Occidental, Davao Oriental, Davao de Oro, Dinagat Islands, Marinduque, Northern Samar, Occidental Mindoro, Oriental Mindoro, Palawan, Siquijor, Sulu, Surigao del Norte, Tawi-Tawi and Zamboanga Sibugay.
HB 2458 was authored by Cagayan de Oro City Second District Rep. Rufus Rodriguez and HB 4835 by Pangasinan Sixth District Rep. Marlyn
Primicias-Agabas.
Relatedly, the panel approved the creation of a technical working group (TWG) to address the issues and concerns and reflect on the proposed changes to HB 953 by Marino Partylist Rep. Sandro Gonzalez.
The bill would establish a maritime education and training regime, create a technical committee for education and training, as well as centralize shipboard training, among others.
Also approved during the hearing was HB 4487 and its corresponding committee report. The bill by Rep. Isidro Lumayag seeks to create a Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda) district office in Polomolok, South Cotabato.