Gentlemen,

Any inputs on the Philippine Merchant Marine Academy? It's function and relevance in todays AFP.

Thanks.

Its a civilian school. Its graduates become merchant mariners, or the 'OFW seamen'. They crew the world's oil tankers, bulk carriers, cruise liners, etc. Other similar schools are Phil Merchant Marine School and Phil Maritime Institute.

What about PMMA (Philippine Merchant Marine Academy) any inputs from you all about this academy?

I understand that graduates from this academy are reserved 2nd Liutenant (PMC), Ensign (PN) or 3rd Mate (Merchant Marine). Graduates from this academy are not obligated to serve in the military if they didn't want to right?

:dunno:

These points have already been covered in this thread. The discussions here are actually more thorough.

http://s3.invisionfree.com/Defense_Philipp...?showtopic=1389

Graduates are reservist for the PN but with regards to professional licenses the automatic conferring of the 3rd Mate license has been removed. They are now required to take the Professional licensure exams just like any other graduates of a Maritime School.

Since they are not obligatory to serve, at least they should have been required to render Reservist active duty when they are not onboard. The PN can then take advantage of their experiences on board advance vessels with the latest technology especially on the fields of marine engineering. They can even be tap as instructors on navigations and other marine related subjects. Have even talked with some officers veterans of the Iran-Iraq war and how they were taught how to avoid missile strikes.

There are currently two Commodores in the Philippine Navy who were advance NROTC graduates of the PMMA.

:bow: Thanks Saver and Adroth. Appreciate it.

7 new vessels to enhance Subic seaport capabilities

By Bebot Sison Jr.
The Philippine Star 03/08/2006

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT — The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) began utilizing seven brand new vessels to enhance its seaport capabilities to its full potential and be at par with international seaport standards.

"The seven vessels we have acquired are the backbone of Subic Bay’s seaport. These would ensure safety and security especially during the peak season of operations here," SBMA Senior Deputy Administrator Gen. Jose Calimlim told The STAR.

The seven vessels worth P386.5 million were acquired in July 2005 as part of the equipment procurement package of the $215-million Port Development Project.

The vessels include three multi-purpose patrol crafts, a garbage collection/fire fighting vessel, an oil skimming/fire fighting vessel, a search and rescue (SAR) vessel, and a line handling and work vessel.

Calilim said that the vessels are currently being manned by the Philippine Merchant Marine Academy (PMMA) while training Freeport Services Corp. (FSC) personnel to handle the vessels.

Aside from the training of Freeport-based personnel, an emergency response team was also formed to respond to the safety and security needs of this premier Freeport.

The Seaport Emergency Response Team (SERT) is composed of Seaport personnel who are trained and equipped to carry out search, rescue and recovery operations around the designated areas in Subic Bay.

"Residents and investors are now assured that the operations of our new port facilities will be safer for them and the environment, especially for the safety of our community, and preservation and care of the environment are and will always be the SBMA’s top priority," Calimlim explained.

The SBMA also received the compliance certificate for the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code that guarantees safety measures in port operations and ship handling.

The ISPS Code is a standard international security plan code required by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) for all port facilities accepting foreign vessels to ensure the safety and security of all ships coming in and out of foreign ports, mainly as a precautionary measure against all forms of transgression.

Calimlim said that with the ISPS Code, Subic seaport is assured of more port calls which means healthy business and more job openings for the Filipino people.

"We welcome this development because it will give Subic bigger role in advancing the 10-point agenda of President Arroyo, which includes the Subic Bay Port Development Project," he said.

http://www.philstar.com/philstar/NEWS200603089908.htm

Woman cadet gets top honors at PMMA

By JONAS REYES

SAN NARCISO, ZAMBALES — For the first time in 186 years, the Philippine Merchant Marine Academy (PMMA) has produced an outstanding woman cadet, besting all male cadets in the race for the top honors in this year’s graduation.

Leading more than 180 graduates in June, 23-year old Cadet First Class Zulaika Mariano Calibio is the first woman to become a valedictorian in a maledominated and Asia’s oldest maritime school.

"I am certainly proud of being the first woman cadet to graduate as valedictorian in the history of the academy despite many obstacles," Calibio said.

"The hardest part was during the onemonth probation in my first year here… when we were being transformed from civilians into midshipmen," she said.

But despite the hardships, Calibio said, there is no gender-discrimination inside the institution.

In 1997, the PMMA opened its doors to female applicants and has produced midshipwomen since.

It was during those early years of the PMMA that discrimination among cadets on gender issues was strong.

"There were 500 of us when we entered the academy four years ago, but around 200 stayed on," Calibjo noted.

Eldest among the three children of Rodolfo and Babel Calibio, Calibio studied accounting at the University of the Philippines (UP) in Iloilo but with her heart set on becoming a Navy pilot.

http://www.mb.com.ph/PROV2006033160223.html

Right on Girl! Just hope upon seeing your classmates' salaries in the merchant shipping you won't change your mind. :armyLol:

Congratulations to all members of PMMA Class 2006!

6 fishers rescued off Zambales
By Bebot Sison Jr.
The Philippine Star 05/17/2006

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT — Crewmen of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority’s M/V Kalayaan rescued six fishermen off the coast of Redondo peninsula Monday afternoon after being adrift for three days.

The fishermen were identified as Benjie Rendon, 49; Julius Meru, 24; Ben Bualido, 43; Isagani Lucero, 46; Richie Marcha, 24; and Edwin Monios, 16, all of Kados, Pangasinan.

Armand Arreza, SBMA administrator and chief executive officer, said their port operations office picked up a distress signal on the sighting of the six fishermen and immediately responded.

The fishermen were earlier plucked out of the water by the M/V Arimathian, a Morivian commercial cargo vessel, which in turn turned them over to the SBMA.

"Despite the harsh winds and huge swells, the M/V Kalayaan proceeded to meet with the M/V Arimathian at the designated meeting point and was able to take custody of the fishermen at about 4:20 p.m.," Diosdado Estira, chief officer of M/V Kalayaan, told The STAR.

Estira and his chief engineer, Patrick Entendez, got support from trainee cadets of the Philippine Merchant Marine Academy.

The fishermen had been adrift since Friday when huge waves spawned by typhoon "Caloy" battered their vessel, causing it to capsize.

They survived by eating small crabs, fish and water lilies and drinking rainwater and even their urine. — With Ric Sapnu

http://www.philstar.com/philstar/NEWS200605179905.htm

Nice actual SAR training for these midshipmen. BTW, I believe this is one of the vessels el commandante is telling us that came from Japan.