Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
 HOUSE BILL NO. ______ 
Introduced by Representative MARLYN L. PRIMICIAS-AGABAS 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Philippine Merchant Marine Academy (PMMA) was established in order to 
produce efficient and well trained merchant marine officers who can favorably 
compare with marine officers of progressive maritime countries sufficient to carry the 
expanding international trade in times of peace and capable of serving as a naval and 
military auxiliary in times of war and national emergency.  
The PMMA seeks to educate and train midshipmen/women to become qualified 
and competent merchant marine officers for shipboard and shore-based positions, in 
response to the global requirements of the expanding international maritime industry, 
competent and capable naval officers who can serve as naval and military auxiliaries 
in times of war and national emergencies and contributors to the improvement of 
maritime education and the pool of ship business managers through graduate school 
programs. 
It cannot be denied that most cadets entering the PMMA come from bigger 
cities and provinces. This is most likely due to the lack of access of those coming form 
far-flung areas. In order to be more balanced and to give equal opportunity to everyone 
dreaming of becoming a PMMA graduate, we should mandate that, as far as 
practicable, there should be at least one incoming cadet from every congressional 
district in every graduating class.  
September 14, 2022
4:42 pm
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In view of the foregoing, immediate passage of this bill is earnestly requested. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
MARLYN L. PRIMICIAS-AGABAS 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
 HOUSE BILL NO. ______ 
Introduced by Representative MARLYN L. PRIMICIAS-AGABAS 
AN ACT 
MANDATING THE PHILIPPINE MERCHANT MARINE ACADEMY (PMMA) TO 
SELECT ONE CADET FROM EACH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT EVERY YEAR 
TO COMPRISE ITS INCOMING CLASS  
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. The Philippine Merchant Marine Academy (PMMA) is hereby 
mandated to select a student applicant from each congressional district in the 
Philippines to comprise the freshman cadet class of the year following the enactment 
of this Act and thereafter, to ensure that the entire country will be represented in each 
graduating class: Provided,  That a cadet must pass the entrance examination and 
comply with all the admission requirements of the PMMA: Provided further, That for a 
province where there is only one (1) congressional district, three (3) cadets shall be 
selected therefrom: Provided, finally, That only upon determination that there is no 
qualified applicant from a certain congressional district shall another qualified applicant 
be considered,  irrespective of domicile, be considered for said slot. 
SEC. 2. Within sixty (60) days from the effectivity of this Act, the PMMA shall, 
in consultation with the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and other 
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concerned government agencies, issue the necessary rules and regulations for the 
effective implementation of this Act.  
 
SEC. 3. If any provision of this Act is declared unconstitutional, the remainder 
of this Act or provisions not affected thereby shall remain in full force and effect. 
 
SEC. 4. All laws, executive orders, presidential decrees, implementing rules 
and regulations inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly. 
 
SEC. 5.  This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the 
Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. 
  
 
 
Approved,