SEVERAL lawmakers are seeking to establish Eastern Samar’s first state-run maritime college, aiming to expand access to quality education and create new opportunities for students in rural communities to pursue careers at sea.
Under House Bill No. 7693, a College of Maritime Studies would be set up at the Eastern Samar State University campus in the coastal town of Guiuan. The proposed institution will offer Bachelor of Science in Maritime Transportation and Bachelor of Science in Marine Engineering programs aligned with global standards set by the International Maritime Organization.
Eastern Samar Lone District Rep. Christopher Sheen Gonzales, a former mayor of Guiuan, authored the bill alongside Marcelino Libanan of the 4Ps Party-list.
Gonzales emphasized the need to provide greater access to state-subsidized maritime education, noting that many aspiring students are currently forced to leave the province to enroll in established maritime schools.
“We want to afford more high school graduates the opportunity to pursue maritime careers, secure well-paying jobs, and uplift their families’ standard of living,” Gonzales said.
He added that the proposal aims to reduce both geographic and financial barriers that limit access to maritime training.
The Philippines remains one of the world’s leading suppliers of seafarers to the global shipping industry, with an estimated 490,000 Filipino workers deployed annually across various vessels, including cargo ships, tankers, and cruise liners. Filipino seafarers are known for their strong English proficiency and technical expertise, competing globally with counterparts from countries such as China, India, Indonesia, and Russia.
Gonzales has also pushed for broader access to public higher education. He previously filed separate measures to upgrade extension units of Eastern Samar State University in Balangiga and Arteche into full-fledged campuses—both of which have been endorsed for plenary approval by the House committee on higher and technical education.