The Senate has approved on 3rd and final reading House Bill No. 7693 authored by deputy speaker and Cagayan de Oro Rep. Rufus Rodriguez.

The proposed measure aims to establish the government owned Philippine Merchant Marine Academy (PMMA) in Cagayan De Oro City which will provide short-term technical-vocational, undergraduate, and graduate courses.

The PMMA campus in Zambales is too far from CDO and Northern Mindanao students. With this bill, PMMA public education will be brought to CDO and Northern Mindanao students.

This will provide a chance for the Kagay-anon youth to take up maritime courses for free ( tuition and fees)

in CDO.

The following courses will be offered: BS in Marine Transportation and BS in Marine Engineering. PMMA has 48 partner shipping companies which will employ the graduates of the PMMA CDO campus.

The PMMA-Cagayan de Oro City Campus is “mandated to undertake research and extension services, and to provide progressive leadership in the areas.”

The bill also provides for hiring of Campus Administrator who will be appointed or designated by the Board of Trustees.

“I am very thankful to the Senate specially Committee Chair Joel Villanueva for approving my House Bill No. 7693. This will provide free quality and accessible maritime education to Kagay-anons and students in Northern Mindanao, especially the youth,” Rodriguez stated.

The Rodriguez bill will now be sent to Malacanang for signature of President Rodrigo Duterte. (PR)