Senatorial candidate Panfilo Lacson plans to introduce a bill to make education and training for aspiring seafarers more affordable.
At the Konsultahang Bayan held in Cebu, 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.
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 said.
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.
