THE HOUSE Committee on Higher and Technical Education created a Technical Working Group to consolidate measures that seek to strengthen and transform the Philippine Merchant Marine Academy into the Philippine National Maritime Academy.

Baguio City Representative Mark Go, committee chairman, led his colleagues in consolidating House Bills 6503, 8489, 8056 and 8589.

PMMA Superintendent Commodore Joel Abutal expressed support for the passage of the bills, saying that the maritime industry is vital for national development and security.

Abutal told the panel that the country needs a well-developed domestic and international shipping, as well as modern ship building and ship repair industry.

“We must treat PH maritime industry not just a strategic addition to the current economic activities of the country. Rather, we must treat it as the fulcrum and the primary focus of our economic initiatives,” he said.

The committee also discussed HBs 3358, 3361, 3362, 3363, 4281, 4282, 4283, 4284 and 4287, which seek to establish Technical Education and Skills Development Authority training and assessment centers in various municipalities in Camarines Sur.

The bills were authored by Camarines Sur Rep. Luis Raymund Villafuerte.

The committee also approved House Resolution 1000 filed by Parañaque City Rep. Gus Tambunting, which seeks to congratulate and commend the University of the Philippines College of Law for winning the World Championship in the 2022-2023 Price Media Law Moot Court Competition International Rounds.