CEBU CITY – Independent senatorial candidate Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson took up the cudgels for aspiring seafarers late Monday as he pushed for legislation that would make their education and training affordable.
At the Konsultahang Bayan here, Lacson pointed out that while seafarers remitted some $6.94 billion in 2024 alone, education for those who want to become seafarers has become “prohibitive.”
“Their contribution to the Philippine economy cannot be discounted… So we must help them because their tuition and training fees have become so prohibitive,” Lacson said.
“We must look into their plight and see if there is a solution based on legislation that will allow seafarers’ parents to afford their training. God willing, if I return to the Senate, I will push for legislation in that direction,” he added.
Related: Ping Lacson, Isinulong ang Kapakanan ng mga Marino
Lacson noted that demand for seafarers continues to grow, and students have many opportunities to be employed as seafarers. But in the Visayas and Mindanao, the number of students may be declining due to the high costs.
In some cases, he said parents are using their savings and retirement funds for their children to take maritime courses. “Only rich parents can send their children to maritime school,” he lamented.
Lacson also said that should he earn a seat in the Senate in May, he would study possible solutions to issues raised by the stakeholders at the forum, including setting up government-subsidized halfway houses for student seafarers from the Visayas and Mindanao, as there are not enough maritime schools there.
“We have lots and lots of work to do. Just in case I am elected, assure you this will be one of my priority measures,” Lacson said after the forum.
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Ping Lacson, Isinulong ang Kapakanan ng mga Marino
CEBU CITY – Isinulong ni independent senatorial candidate Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson nitong Lunes ng hapon ang kapakanan ng mga marino sa pamamagitan ng batas na gagawing abot-kaya ang kanilang tuition at pagsasanay.
Sa Konsultahang Bayan dito, ipinunto ni Lacson na bagama’t hindi bababa sa $6.94 bilyon ang na-remit sa Pilipinas ng mga marino noong 2024, masyadong mahal na ngayon ang kanilang edukasyon at pagsasanay.
“Their contribution to the Philippine economy cannot be discounted… So we must help them because their tuition and training fees have become so prohibitive,” ani Lacson.
“We must look into their plight and see if there is a solution based on legislation that will allow seafarers’ parents to afford their training. God willing, if I return to the Senate, I will push for legislation in that direction,” dagdag niya.
Ani Lacson, bagama’t lumalaki ang demand para sa marino at dumadami ang oportunidad para sa kabataan, iilan lang galing sa Visayas at Mindanao ang makakayanan ang mataas na gastos.
May ilang kaso kung saan ginastos ng mga magulang ang savings at retirement funds para makapag-maritime courses ang anak. “Only rich parents can send their children to maritime school,” aniya.
Kung manalo si Lacson sa Mayo, tiniyak niyang pag-aaralan niya ang mga tugon sa mga issue na binanggit ng mga stakeholder sa forum, kabilang ang pagpapatayo ng government-subsidized halfway houses para sa student seafarers galing sa Visayas at Mindanao, dahil sa kakulangan ng maritime schools doon.
“We have lots and lots of work to do. Just in case I am elected, assure you this will be one of my priority measures,” ani Lacson matapos ang forum Lunes ng gabi.
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