Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

Twentieth Congress
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILLNO. 4367

Introduced by Representative RAYMOND ADRIAN SALCEDA.

AN ACT
STRENGTHENING THE PHILIPPINE MERCHANT MARINE ACADEMY BY
RENAMING IT AS THE PHILIPPINE NATIONAL MARITIME ACADEMY,
EXPANDING ITS MANDATE, CURRICULAR OFFERINGS, RESEARCH
CAPABILITY, AND GOVERNANCE STRUCTURE, AND APPROPRIATING
FUNDS THEREFOR

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The Philippine Merchant Marine Academy (PMMA) has long served as the country’s
premier institution in maritime education, producing master mariners, chief engineers, naval
and coast guard officers, shipping executives, and maritime educators. For decades, it has been
recognized by international shipowners as the gold standard for training Filipino seafarers.

Yet the maritime industry has undergone fundamental change. The rise of automation,
artificial intelligence, green shipping, and increasingly complex global trade and security
dynamics require a broader and more resilient institution. At the same time, the Philippines
continues to face compliance issues with international standards such as those set by the
European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA). From 2016 to 2018 alone, Philippine manning
agencies lost over 100,000 seafarer positions due to declining international confidence in
maritime training.

The PMMA is no longer only a source of merchant marine officers. It has become a
vital reservoir of highly trained personnel for the Philippine Navy, the Philippine Coast Guard,
and maritime law enforcement agencies. Itis also the preferred institution of many international
shipping companies despite its limited capacity. For these reasons, it is necessary to expand
and modemize its mandate, and to rename it as the Philippine National Maritime Academy
(PNMA) to reflect its broader role in both commercial and national service.

This bill therefore seeks to:


1. Expand the mandate of PMMA into the PNMA, serving not only shipping but also
defense, law enforcement, maritime domain awareness, and marine environmental
protection.

2. Establish the National Maritime Research and Policy Center within PNMA to
institutionalize science-based, data-driven research and policy support for the maritime
industry, defense, and law enforcement sectors.

3. Moderize curricular offerings by including automation, robotics, artificial
intelligence, cybersecurity, autonomous ships, green shipping, and maritime
environmental management, while strengthening traditional marine engineering and
transportation courses.

4. Guarantee equitable access through a congressional district billeting system and
scholarships for poor but deserving students, ensuring national representation in the
cadet corps.

5. Provide Multi-Role Training Vessels (MRTVS) that will serve both as training platforms
and as standby assets for overseas repatriation, anti-pollution operations, research
expeditions, and disaster response.

6. Strengthen governance by broadening the Board of Trustees to include CHED, DOT,
MARINA, the Philippine Navy, the Philippine Coast Guard, alumni, industry, faculty,
and student representatives.

7. Integrate climate resilience and sustainability in all academic programs, training
modules, and research priorities.

By adopting this measure, the Philippines will position itself as a regional hub of
maritime education and innovation, ensuring compliance with international standards while
preparing the next generation of Filipino maritime professionals to serve both global shipping
and the nation’s defense and security needs.

In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought.



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

Twentieth Congress
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 438 7

Introduced by Representative RAYMOND ADRIAN SALCEDA

AN ACT
STRENGTHENING THE PHILIPPINE MERCHANT MARINE ACADEMY BY
RENAMING IT AS THE PHILIPPINE NATIONAL MARITIME ACADEMY,
EXPANDING ITS MANDATE, CURRICULAR OFFERINGS, RESEARCH
CAPABILITY, AND GOVERNANCE STRUCTURE, AND APPROPRIATING
FUNDS THEREFOR

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress
assembled:

SECTION 1. Short Title. This Act shall be known as the “Philippine National Maritime
‘Academy Charter.”

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. It is the policy of the State to promote excellence in
maritime education, training, and research based on science, innovation, and international
standards. The State shall strengthen the Philippine maritime education system to serve the
needs of commercial shipping, naval defense, maritime law enforcement, environmental
protection, and national security. It shall ensure that the country produces world-class maritime
professionals and positions the Philippines as a regional hub of maritime education, research,
and innovation.

SEC. 3. Renaming of the Academy. The Philippine Merchant Marine Academy
(PMMA) is hereby renamed as the Philippine National Maritime Academy (PNMA).

SEC. 4. Mandate. The PNMA shall:

(a) Provide maritime education and training responsive to the needs of international
shipping, the Philippine Navy, the Philippine Coast Guard, and other maritime law
enforcement agencies;

(b) Establish a National Maritime Research and Policy Center to advance science-based
innovation, data-driven planning, and policy development;

(c) Integrate climate change adaptation, green shipping, digitalization, and sustainable
development into its programs; and



(@) Serve as the official service academy for naval and maritime law enforcement
agencies.

SEC. 5. Curricular Offerings. The PNMA shall offer postsecondary, undergraduate,
graduate, and postgraduate programs in maritime education including, but not limited to,
Marine Transportation, Marine Engineering, Naval Architecture, Maritime Business, Maritime
Policy, Port and Logistics Management, Naval and Coast Guard Science, and allied sciences.
It may also provide technical-vocational education and short professional courses. All
programs shall be subject to approval by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and
the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA).

SEC. 6. Governance. The PNMA shall be governed by a Board of Trustees chaired by
the Chairperson of the CHED, co-chaired by the Secretary of Transportation, and vice-chaired
by the Superintendent of the PNMA. Members shall include the Administrator of MARINA,
the Flag Officer-in-Command of the Philippine Navy, the Commandant of the Philippine Coast
Guard, the President of the PNMA Alumni Association, representatives of the faculty, students,
non-teaching personnel, and a representative of the maritime industry.

SEC. 7. Superintendent. The PNMA shall be headed by a Superintendent with the rank
of Vice Admiral, appointed by the President of the Philippines upon recommendation of the
Board of Trustees. The Superintendent shall serve for a term of four years and may be
reappointed.

SEC. 8. Research and Policy Center. There is hereby created a National Maritime
Research and Policy Center under the PNMA. The Center shall conduct research on shipping,
maritime law, safety, environmental protection, and green shipping; serve as a data repository;
and partner with international maritime institutions for technology transfer and policy
development.

SEC. 9. Service Obligation, Graduates of merchant marine programs shall serve in the
government or the domestic maritime industry for an accumulated duration of at least four
years under a return service program. Graduates commissioned under the Philippine Navy or
the Philippine Coast Guard shall comply with the service obligation required under their
respective service contracts.

SEC. 10. Training Vessels. The PNMA shall maintain Multi-Role Training Vessels
(MRTVs) to provide shipboard training. Subject to approval of the Board, MRTVs may also
be used for repatriation of Overseas Filipino Workers, anti-pollution operations, search and
rescue, and research voyages.

SEC. 11. Admission and Scholarships. The PNMA shall establish an admission system
that ensures nationwide representation through a congressional district billeting system.
Scholarships and financial assistance shall be provided for poor but deserving students.

SEC. 12. Tax Exemptions. The PNMA shall be exempt from all taxes on revenues and
assets used for educational purposes. Donations, grants, and endowments made to the PNMA.
shall be exempt from donor’s tax and considered allowable deductions from gross income in
accordance with the National Internal Revenue Code, as amended. Importations of ships,
training equipment, and academic materials shall be exempt from customs duties and taxes.


SEC. 13. Appropriations. The amount necessary for the initial implementation of this
Act shall be charged against the current appropriations of the Philippine Merchant Marine
Academy. Thereafter, such amounts as may be necessary shall be included in the annual
General Appropriations Act.

SEC. 14, Implementing Rules and Regulations. Within sixty days from the effectivity
of this Act, the Board of Trustees, in consultation with CHED, MARINA, and TESDA, shall
promulgate the necessary implementing rules and regulations.

SEC. 15. Separability Clause. If any provision of this Act is declared unconstitutional
or invalid, the other provisions not affected thereby shall remain in full force and effect.

SEC. 16. Repealing Clause, All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and regulations
inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SEC. 17. Effectivity, This Act shall take effect fifteen days after its publication in the
Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,