Iloilo maritime schools generate employment

Iloilo maritime schools generate employment
Neljoy N. Galigao - August 21, 2026 https://www.panaynews.net/iloilo-maritime-schools-generate-employment/

ILOILO City — Iloilo is strengthening its reputation as a major training ground for Filipino seafarers, with leading maritime schools reporting employment or deployment prospects of 70 percent to as high as 100 percent for qualified graduates — powered by rigorous academic preparation and direct partnerships with dozens of shipping companies.

The strong employment pipeline has become a major draw for students from Iloilo and other parts of the country, reinforcing the province’s position as one of the country’s key producers of maritime professionals.

At John B. Lacson Foundation Maritime University-Molo (JBLFMU), C/E Reynold Libiano, officer-in-charge dean of the College of Maritime Education, said the institution’s industry linkages give students a strong chance of boarding vessels after completing their studies.

“Reason sang mga students why they enrol no, because John B is popular gid ya sa Philippines, and aside from that, kon sa John B ka mag-school, ang assurance nga ma-deploy ka is 100%, because we have many shipping companies nga naga-tie-up sa amon. Basta mag-study ka lang, amo gid na ang amon gina-emphasize, ang academic performance sang bata,” Libiano stressed.

JBLFMU-Molo recorded 540 new enrollees for academic year 2026-2027 despite graduating around 334 students. Its reputation has attracted students from the National Capital Region, Palawan, Mindanao and Masbate.

“We have students coming from different provinces, proving that John B. Lacson is gaining popularity,” Libiano remarked.

More than 100 graduates from the previous year have already secured shipping companies, while some students gain company backing and scholarships even before finishing their maritime education.

“Senior High School…Grade 12 pa lang may shipping company na, may assurance ka na makasakay later on,” he stated.

Libiano said the school continues to help graduates secure shipping companies while strengthening its academic programs.

“Yes, top producer gid ya si Iloilo sa maritime workforce. We are really improving and enahcing our academics,” he said.

JBLFMU offers Bachelor of Science in Marine Transportation and Marine Engineering programs. Libiano said the university has the capacity to accommodate a large number of maritime students.

“We offer 14 sections per year, with over 1,000 students enrolled,” Libiano highlighted.

IMMS: 70%-80% SECURE EMPLOYMENT

The Iloilo Merchant Marine School (IMMS), meanwhile, is also building a strong employment pipeline through rigorous training and partnerships with shipping companies.

Dean C/M Genesis Jowi A. Nique said becoming a maritime officer requires three years of academic study followed by a year of apprenticeship, with onboard experience critical to producing certified officers.

“Our program is in its fifth batch, and while the journey to becoming an officer is rigorous — requiring three years of academic study and a year of apprenticeship — our graduates are showing great promise,” Nique stated.

IMMS has nearly 500 enrollees for the next academic year. It expects 252 college students and 22 Senior High School students to graduate.

Nique said around 70 percent of its graduates find employment, although their chances depend heavily on their academic performance.

“Around 70% of our graduates find employment after graduation, which heavily depends on their academic performance,” Nique concluded.

“Ga-offer man ang school scholarship, like entrance scholarship, mga academic scholarship. This the thing man sa enrolment, but the number one is the employment nga after mag-graduate 70-80% maka-secure sang employment as long as they have a good academic track record and performance,” Nique said.

The school has also attracted dozens of companies seeking maritime graduates.

“Right now, mga 45-60 companies na ang gasulod sa amon,” Nique stressed.

The employment prospects are helping fuel enrollment as students from areas with limited maritime education opportunities, including Palawan, seek training in Iloilo.

The impact extends beyond employment. Graduates who secure jobs aboard domestic and international vessels generate remittances for their families and can eventually invest in businesses and contribute taxes to the economy.

Data from the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) Region 6 show eight institutions offering maritime courses in Western Visayas as of May 2025. Four are in Iloilo City — JBLFMU-Arevalo, JBLFMU-Molo, St. Therese-MTC Colleges-Magdalo Site and Western Institute of Technology — while St. Therese-MTC also operates a site in Tigbauan, Iloilo.

The other institutions are St. Anthony’s College in San Jose de Buenavista, University of Antique in Sibalom, and VMA Global College and Training Centers Inc. in Bacolod City.

Iloilo’s maritime schools celebrated the Day of the Seafarer last June 25, with Libiano and Nique underscoring the contribution of seafarers to international trade and economic growth and urging maritime students to pursue excellence, discipline and professionalism./PN