THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
Third Regular Session 
Introduced by Sen. Manuel “Lito” M. Lapid 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The conversion of the Philippine Nautical School founded in 1820 to 
Philippine Merchant Marine Academy (PMMA) was enacted into law by virtue of 
RA 3680 in 1963 during the administration of President Diosdado Macapagal. 
The PMMA confers Bachelor of Science Degree in Marine Transportation, Major 
in Navigation and Seamanship and Bachelor of Science Degree in Marine 
Transportation Major in Steam Engine and Electrical Engineering. 
PMMAs dedication to produce quality merchant marine officers has 
placed most of its graduates to work in different parts of the world to be in charge 
of 
international vessels utilized for commercial trade and similar marine 
industry 
While the government is duty bound to subsidize the PMMA students 
throughout their four-year course, the cadets are not obliged to render service to 
the government after they are conferred with a bachelor’s degree. It has been the 
long time sentiment among the maritime industry players, as well as the 
government, to require the graduates to render mandatory service to the civil 
service sector. 
This bill simply seeks to amend the existing charter of PMMA by including 
a provision that mandates all graduates to render at feast 24 months of service in 
any government agency right after their graduation. 
In order to keep with the international marine industry standards, this bill 
likewise amended the term for the positions of “third mate” to “OPERATIONAL 
LEVEL DECK WATCH KEEPING OFFICER” and the term “fourth stream 
engineers” to OPERATIONAL LEVEL ENGINE WATCH KEEPING OFFICERS”, 
which effectively removed distinctions in the different grade levels in third mate 
and fourth stream engineers positions. 
In view of the foregoing, immediate approval of this measure is earnestly 
requested. 


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THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
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REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
SEP 13 P535 
Third Regular Session 
) 
S E N A T E  
S.B. No. 2463 
~~V~~ 
Introduced by SEN. MANUEL “ L I T 0  M. LAPID 
AN ACT 
INSTITUTING MANDATORY GOVERNMENT SERVICE TO GRADUATES OF 
PHILIPPINE MERCHANT MARINE ACADEMY (PMMA), AMENDING FOR 
THIS PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 3680 AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representative of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
Section 1. Section 12 of Republic Act no. 3680 is hereby amended to 
Section 12. Graduates of the Philippine Merchant Marine Academy 
who are holders of a Bachelor of Science degree in Marine 
Transportation, major in navigation and seamanship, shall be exempted 
from taking the [third mate] OPERATIONAL LEVEL DECK WATCH 
KEEPING OFFICERS’ examination. Likewise, those who are holders of a 
Bachelor of Science in Marine Engineering shall be exempted from taking 
the [fourth stream engineers’ examination] OPERATIONAL LEVEL 
EblGlNE WATCH KEEPING OFFICERS’ examination. 
read: 
SECTION 12-A. ALL 
CADETS OF 
THE 
PMMA 
UPON 
COMPLETION OF THEIR ACADEMIC DEGREE, SHALL BE REQUIRED 
TO RENDER A CONTINUOUS OR STAGGERED SERVICE OF A 
MINIMUM OF TWENTY FOUR (24) MONTHS IN ANY GOVERNMENT 
AGENCY, BUREAU, INSTITUTION OR INSTRUMENTALITY. SAID 
SERVICE SHALL COMMENCE AFTER GRADUATION AND MUST BE 
COMPLETED ON OR 
BEFORE 
THE 
FIFTH YEAR 
AFTER 
GRADUATION. 
PROVIDED THAT, IN THE EVENT THAT THE CADET IS 
DETERMINED TO HAVE FAILED OR REFUSED TO CARRY OUT SUCH 
GOVERNMENT SERVICE OBLIGATION, THE TOTAL AMOUT SPENT 
FOR THE STUDY WILL BE TREATED AS A LOAN AND COLLECTED 
FROM THE CADET IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE GUIDELINES ANb 
REGULATIONS SET FORTH BY THE PMMA. 
Section 2. All laws, decrees, executive acts, orders, rules and regulations 
inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed and modified 
accordingly. 
Section 3. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in 
a newspaper of general circulation. 
Approved.