The House of Representatives on Wednesday approved on third and final reading a bill mandating the Philippine Merchant Marine Academy (PMMA) to select at least one student applicant from each of the congressional districts in the Philippines to comprise the freshman cadet class of every school year to ensure the representation of all districts in graduating classes and widen the access to education of students from far regions.
With 247 affirmative votes and one abstention, the chamber approved on third reading House Bill (HB) 6994 on Wednesday.
“This proposed legislation will not only provide equity, but will also accord the opportunity to study in PMMA to deserving students, especially the youth coming from provinces and far-flung areas,” Speaker Martin G. Romualdez said.
“This bill does not aim to give special treatment because the applicants must still pass the examination and submit the requirements. But this will definitely ensure that at the very least, youth from across the country can start on a level playing field in terms of access to education in the prestigious PMMA,” the Leyte 1st District congressman added.
Section 1 of HB 6995 requires that the freshman cadets who will come from the districts should pass the entrance examination and comply with all the admission requirements of the PMMA.
The bill also provides that for a province with only one congressional district, at least three cadets will be selected. Only upon determination by the PMMA that there is no qualified applicant from a certain congressional district will be a qualified applicant, irrespective of domicile, be considered for the said slot, according to the proposed measure.
The bill also mandates the PMMA, in consultation with the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and other concerned government agencies, to formulate rules and regulations for the effective implementation of the program once the measure is passed into law.
Cagayan de Oro City 2nd District Rep. Rufus Rodrigues, Pangasinan 6th District Rep. Marlyn Primicias-Agabas, and Zamboanga City 2nd District Rep. Manuel Jose “Mannix” Dalipe are principal authors of HB 6994.