'Pang--rich lang?': Lacson wants to make seafarers' education, training more affordable
At A Glance
- Administration Senate bet Panfilo "Ping" Lacson has vowed to pursue legislation that would help aspiring seafarers by making their education and training affordable.
Panfilo "Ping" Lacson (Facebook)
Administration Senate bet Panfilo "Ping" Lacson has vowed to pursue legislation that would help aspiring seafarers by making their education and training affordable.
At the Konsultahang Bayan (public consultation) in Cebu City, 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.
"Only rich parents can send their children to maritime school," noted the member of the Alyansa para sa Bagong Pilipinas senatorial ticket.
"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," added the former senator.
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.
He says that in some cases, parents use their savings and retirement funds so that their children can take up maritime courses.
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.