Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon has committed to support 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 recently, Dizon said these initiatives are aimed at giving back time that seafarers will sacrifice once they enter the global maritime industry.
The transport chief said 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.
“I will also pursue the establishment of the PMMA-Carnival Cruise Line (CCL) building in the academy’s complex in San Narciso, Zambales.”
The transport head will also pursue the establishment of the PMMA-Carnival Cruise Line (CCL) building in the academy’s complex in San Narciso, Zambales.
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, according to PMMA.
“The Department of Transportation (DOTr) will implement measures to ensure that the historical institution gets the necessary support it needs for its cadets.”
Dizon lamented the lack of support for the sought-after Filipino seafarers, saying the Department of Transportation (DOTr) will implement measures to ensure that the historical institution gets the necessary support it needs for its cadets.
“Bakit naman po kinukulang ng suporta ang ating tanyag na institusyon tulad ng PMMA? Kapag nalaman ito ng ating mahal na Pangulo Bongbong Marcos, kagaya ko din ngayon, siya rin ay malulungkot, at baka lang hindi malungkot baka magalit pa,” he said.
Dizon said he already asked PMMA Superintendent Commodore Joel Abutal to submit a list of all the needed support of the academy.
“The least we can do is support all of you para mabigyan nyo din ng suporta at tulong ang inyong mga nagmamahal na magulang, ang inyong magiging asawa, ang inyong magiging anak sa mga darating na panahon,” he concluded.
