THE state-run Philippine Merchant Marine Academy (PMMA) has forged a first-of-its-kind partnership with the Department of Health (DOH) to enhance its curriculum and, at the same time, help strengthen the department’s regional presence and boost the delivery of quarantine and medical services in the area.
PMMA, through its chief executive, Commodore Joel Abutal, and the DOH, through Secretary Teodoro Herbosa, signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) on Jan. 24, 2026, at the PMMA Complex in San Narciso, Zambales.
Abutal signed the MOA for PMMA, while Health Assistant Secretary Christian Lel Saquilabon represented Herbosa, who could not make it to the signing and the subsequent groundbreaking ceremonies for the future Bureau of Quarantine (BOQ) facility at the PMMA Complex.
BOQ Director Roberto Salvador signed as a witness, while outgoing PMMA Alumni President Commodore Jeremias Simon PCGA and PMMA Grand Alumni Homecoming 2026 Host Class Chairman Arnold Javier looked on.
Without a doubt, these ceremonies that will pave the way for the unprecedented collaboration between the nation’s oldest maritime institution and the DOH added significance to this year’s Alumni Homecoming, which is the culminating activity of PMMA’s 206th founding anniversary celebration.
Under the MOA, the PMMA has committed to provide the DOH a parcel of land within its 60-hectare campus in San Narciso, Zambales, for the construction of a permanent BOQ facility to “allow BOQ to construct, operate, and maintain a building with a total area of 1,000 square meters within PMMA” for the training of BOQ personnel.
Another objective of the pact is to “establish a collaborative framework for the development and integration of a maritime medical curriculum” into the BS Marine Transportation (BSMT) and BS Marine Engineering (BSMarE) programs of the state-run institution.
For its part, the DOH, through its budget, will foot the bill for the construction, operation, and maintenance of the facility, including all related operational and maintenance expenses.
At the same time, the DOH will “provide technical expertise, subject matter specialists, and resource persons for the development and implementation of the maritime medical curriculum.”
Still on funding, the agreement explicitly provides that “PMMA shall not incur any financial obligation under this MOA,” except for the provision of the land and non-monetary academic and administrative support, as expressly stated in the pact.
The DOH will be responsible also for “facilitating coordination with other government agencies, when necessary, to support maritime health education, training, health, and research initiatives.”
PMMA cadets will directly benefit from the agreement. In addition to having easier access to quarantine services, which are required before going onboard for their shipboard training, they will also gain extra knowledge and skills in providing public and maritime health services.
Shortly after the signing ceremonies, Abutal explained that aside from BOQ personnel, “the facility will likewise train PMMA cadets in providing health, medical, and quarantine procedures.”
Moreover, the benefits from the BOQ facility will definitely spill over to the entire PMMA community and nearby villages of San Narciso, since the DOH will assign full-time health personnel in PMMA who can provide immediate medical services to the communities in the area.
PMMA Assistant Superintendent for Administration and Finance Ronnie Basco is hopeful the facility will be completed in the next two years.
