PCG, CHED join forces to improve training of Pinoy maritime students

PCG, CHED join forces to improve training of Pinoy maritime students
Aaron Recuenco February 2, 2023 https://mb.com.ph/2023/02/02/pcg-ched-join-forces-to-improve-training-of...

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has partnered with the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) to further improve the training system for maritime students in the country.

In a memorandum of agreement, CHED will develop a database of students reported by Maritime Higher Education Institutions (MHEIs) to be on board domestic ships for training and shall capture data for proper monitoring of students on board domestic ships undergoing training.

The PCG, on the other hand, shall conduct interviews with cadets and Shipboard Training Officer (STO) to verify if the cadets are receiving proper training.

“The PCG shall also check if ships with cadets on board have training schedules and are utilizing the cadets only for ship works related to the objective of the onboard training program,” said PCG Admiral Artemio Abu.

“The PCG shall validate the actual number of cadets on board based on the allowable number of deck and engine cadets as provided in the relevant regulations of the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA),” he added.

Abu said the PCG will also be tasked to ensure that only the cadets physically present on board are reflected on the official crew list to counter some practices in which some cadets are serving in their shore-based offices instead of serving on board.

He said the PCG is also mandated to report its findings to CHED to ensure that all maritime students receive proper shipboard training as part of their educational curriculum.

The agreement was signed by Abu and CHED chairperson Prospero de Vera III.