Wednesday, January 23, 2008
PMMA HISTORY
Echoes from the Past. . .
The Philippine Merchant Marine Academy stands as one of the oldest and most illustrious institutions in the Philippines today. Originally known as Escuela Nautica de Manila, the PMMA was created by virtue of a Royal Decree issued on January 1, 1820 through the recommendation of the Spanish Consulate of Commerce. 
Founded as a school for merchant marine officers, it was inaugurated on April 5 of the same year in its first location inside the Walled City of Intramuros, Manila.
The school was temporarily closed during the Philippine Revolution in 1896 but was reopened by the American authorities on December 15, 1899, recognizing its value as a nautical school. It was called Nautical School of the Philippine Islands.Later it was again renamed to Philippine Nautical School (PNS), under the supervision of US Navy commanders. All facilities, equipment, and other instructional materials were provided by the government in an effort to raise the standard of the institution. But was closed in 1907 due to lack of support.
In 1913, it was reopened, upon the recommendation of the President of the Shipowner's Association, to answer the urgent need for trained merchant marine officers. It was established as a unit of the Philippine School of Arts and Trades.
With war clouds hovering the Pacific, the PNS was transferred from the Department of Education to the Department of National Defense. But the outbreak of World War II did not see the closure of the school rather, it was expanded into a bigger establishment that included not only training of nautical officers but also of marine engineers and ordinary seamen.
After the war the PNS encountered many problems resulting in the deterioration of the school's standard, paving the way for private marine schools to flourish as a business enterprise.
After the war the PNS encountered many problems resulting in the deterioration of the school's standard, paving the way for private marine schools to flourish as a business enterprise.
In 1963, Republic Act 3680 converted the PNS into the Philippine Merchant Marine Academy (PMMA), conferring the degree of Bachelor of Science in Marine Transportation (BSMT) major in Navigation and Seamanship or in Steam Engineering and Electricity. In 1997, the PMMA was placed directly under the supervision of the Commission on Higher Education after being under the Department of Transportation and Communication.
Today, the PMMA stands as a pillar among maritime institutions in the country. It has developed the Quality Standard System in compliance with the requirements of the 1995 International Convention on Seafarer's Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW '95) and the Policies, Standards and Guidelines for Maritime Education of the Commission on Higher Education.
The PMMA has not lagged behind in its quest of producing competent and qualified merchant marine officers known the world over. With this Quality Standard System, it is hoped that those who will follow in the footsteps in managing this prestigious institution will be inspired and guided accordingly and continue to improve and build upon this legacy - a world famous merchant marine institution known for quality and good performance with standards of management and training comparable only with the best.courtesy of PMMA Website
