Ebdane bats for excellence in maritime education at PMMA commencement rites

Ebdane bats for excellence in maritime education
Mahatma Randy V. Datu July 9, 2022 https://www.manilatimes.net/2022/07/09/news/regions/ebdane-bats-for-exce...

SAN NARCISO, Zambales: Zambales Gov. Hermogenes Ebdane Jr. committed his new administration on Thursday to prioritize the development of education in the province, particularly the Philippine Merchant Marine Academy (PMMA), as it vies to become a national maritime institution.

Ebdane, who was the guest of honor and speaker in the commencement rites of the maritime school, said the best education would ensure that Zambales becomes a sustainable community, as promised during his inauguration ceremony.

"As the highest official of the province, I'd like to elevate the level of education at the PMMA, and in Zambales, in general," he said.

Ebdane added that he is ready to provide help to the students, who he believes will be the warriors of tomorrow.

The governor called on officials of the state-run maritime school, along with teachers and parents, to help raise the bar for maritime education.

"The PMMA as an educational institution should strive and commit itself to enhance and improve maritime education. Teacher training, infrastructure and facility advancement, and research and development should form part of its thrust toward excellence," Ebdane pointed out. "Together, we can fulfill these dreams."

Ebdane also noted the need for graduates to excel in leadership as the demand for today's human resources requires not just technical skills but also managerial competence.

The PMMA, which is aspiring to be declared the national maritime academy, had recently embarked on a P25-million program for smart classrooms, remote-access workshops, online platforms, and augmented reality and virtual reality equipment for its students. Last week, the school also inaugurated new barracks that could house 50 more students.

Ebdane's call for excellence in maritime education came when Zambales native Marl Cheston Felarca Ravelo, valedictorian of the PMMA's Masidlayag Class of 2022 with a degree in Marine Engineering, who hails from San Marcelino town, topped the school's academic rolls.

Like other PMMA graduates, Ravelo and the other members of the graduating class had three career paths to choose from: Enlist with the Philippine Navy or the Philippine Coast Guard, or join the merchant marine fleet.

Ebdane said that with a forecasted shortage in the supply of officers in the global shipping industry and a steady increase in the demand for seafarers in the next 10 years, there is a bright future for PMMA graduates.

"The challenge the young seafarers must contend with is how to keep themselves qualified, competent and relevant," he said.

Ebdane also urged the midshipmen-graduates to "sail beyond and conquer the world" and, at the same time, exhorted them to share their success, especially with those who are in dire need of help.

"If you finally go out to the sea to find success, take care. And if you find success, come back home and share your experience and wisdom with the next generation, so that your victory would also become the victory of our Motherland," he said.

The commencement exercises on Thursday, July 7, was the first face-to-face ceremony for the PMMA after two years of online graduation ceremonies because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The ceremony was marred by a sudden heavy rain midway through the two-hour program, but the PMMA cadets valiantly stood in their formation throughout the downpour.