Call for Affordable Maritime Education for Aspiring Seafarers in the Philippines

Philippines Senatorial candidate Panfilo Lacson plans to introduce legislation aimed at making education and training for aspiring seafarers more affordable. Speaking at the Konsultahang Bayan in Cebu, he highlighted that while seafarers contributed approximately $6.94 billion to the Philippine economy in 2024, the costs associated with maritime education have become prohibitively high.

Lacson emphasized the importance of supporting seafarers and their families, noting that many parents are depleting their savings or retirement funds to finance their children’s maritime studies. He pointed out that only affluent families can afford to send their children to maritime schools, which is concerning given the growing demand for seafarers.

If elected to the Senate, Lacson intends to explore legislative solutions to these challenges, including the establishment of government-subsidized halfway houses for student seafarers from the Visayas and Mindanao, where maritime school options are limited. He stressed that addressing these issues would be a priority for him in the Senate, as he aims to ensure that more students can pursue careers in the maritime industry.

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