Fifteen Philippine Merchant Marine Academy (PMMA) cadets recently received full scholarships from the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG).

The scholarship grants were formally awarded to the cadets Wednesday during an oath-taking ceremony at the Coast Guard headquarters in Manila led by Admiral George Ursabia Jr., Coast Guard commandant.

Ursabia said the cadets-beneficiary were the 11th batch under the PCG-PMMA scholarship program.

During his speech, Ursabia urged the cadets “to maximize the four-year education and training program to become full-blooded Coast Guardians who are patriotic to the motherland, compassionate to fellow Filipinos, and God-fearing.”

"As early as now, consider yourselves as part of the PCG. As Coast Guardians, we are expected to serve those in need. We are rescuers. We are into helping, serving, and assisting others. We are instruments of God for such purposes," the commandant added.

Commodore Joel Abutal, PMMA superintendent, on the other hand, said that the realization of the PCG - PMMA Scholarship Program for the past 11 years is “a testament of the national government's firm commitment to provide financial support and promising employment opportunities to the most deserving students of the academy.”

"Indeed, your duty as cadets is noble and challenging. After the training, you will be tasked to conduct maritime security operations — safeguarding lives and properties at sea and protecting the country's rich marine environment,” Abutal said.

“The next four years will prepare you for the great challenges you will encounter in the performance of your duties and responsibilities as public servants under the PCG,” he added.

The PCG - PMMA Scholarship Program, which started in 2009, aims to establish a stronger working relationship between the PCG and the PMMA for the training of public servants who are committed to uphold maritime law enforcement, maritime security, maritime safety, maritime search and rescue, and marine environmental protection in service to the nation.