PBBM admin expands free maritime training nationwide

PBBM admin expands free maritime training nationwide
Ahlette C. Reyes August 10, 2026 https://pia.gov.ph/news/pbbm-admin-expands-free-maritime-training-nation...

TACLOBAN CITY (PIA) — The Marcos Jr. administration is strengthening the country’s maritime workforce by expanding free government-funded training to 55 regular courses, making skills upgrading, certification, and professional development more accessible to Filipino seafarers nationwide.

The initiative will remove financial barriers that often prevent maritime workers from pursuing additional training and upgrading their competencies.

By providing free access to government-funded courses, the program enables more Filipino seafarers to acquire the skills and certifications needed to meet the evolving requirements of the global maritime industry.

National Maritime Polytechnic (NMP) Executive Director Victor Del Rosario said the program demonstrates the government’s commitment to investing in the skills and professional growth of Filipino seafarers, whose contributions remain vital to the Philippine economy.

“We aim to provide equitable access to maritime professionals in upgrading their qualifications and renewing mandatory certifications, sustaining the Philippines’ position as one of the world’s leading providers of maritime professionals,” Del Rosario said.

The NMP executive director likewise noted that the free training initiative is consistent with Republic Act No. 12021, or the Magna Carta of Filipino Seafarers, signed into law by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. in 2024.

The law recognizes the need to make maritime education and training more accessible and affordable while strengthening the competence, employability, and global competitiveness of Filipino seafarers.

The expanded training program also supports the same Magna Carta for the protection of the rights and welfare of Filipino maritime workers while promoting their professional development and competitiveness.

For seafarers like Third Officer Jovanne Janry Guda, 26, of Eastern Samar, the program provides significant financial relief.

Guda, who is currently taking the Management Level Course (Deck), said he noticed substantial improvements in NMP’s facilities since his previous training four years ago.

“The facilities here have improved a lot. As a seafarer, this free training is a big financial relief because it helps reduce our expenses, especially since our budget is often limited while we are off board and on vacation. This allows us to upgrade our qualifications without worrying about the cost,” Guda shared.

The initiative follows a June 18, 2026 memorandum from the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) approving the waiver of training fees for NMP’s remaining 22 regular courses. This brings the total number of free training programs offered by the government maritime institution to 55.

The free offerings include full and refresher courses compliant with the Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW), as well as management-level training programs.

Meanwhile, NMP’s Professional Development Courses (PDCs) are now available at a reduced fee of ₱8,000, making specialized training for maritime instructors and assessors more affordable.

NMP is upbeat that with the initiative, the country’s pool of highly skilled maritime professionals will be strengthened, ensuring that Filipino seafarers remain competitive in the international labor market.

With the expansion of free training opportunities, the administration is reinforcing its commitment to investing in Filipino workers and sustaining the country’s reputation as one of the world’s leading sources of qualified maritime professionals. (ACR/PIA Leyte/Photos courtesy of NMP)