Thank you very much, Secretary Anton Lagdameo. [Please take your seats.]

The former President and Deputy Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, whose father was the – I would say the godfather of the Merchant Marine Academy; our governor, Governor of Zambales, Zambales Governor Jun Ebdane; the Philippine Merchant Marine Academy Superintendent Commodore Joel Abutal; the officers, employees, cadets and graduates of the PMMA “MADASIKLAN” Class 2023; at lalong-lalo na ang mga magulang at mga mahal sa buhay ng mga PMMA graduating class, kung wala po kayo, hindi po tayo naipaabot itong mga magagaling na estudyanteng ito sa araw na ito [applause]; and the other distinguished guests who are with us today; ladies and gentlemen, good morning.

On behalf of all Filipino people and it is with great pleasure that I ask you to allow me to extend my most heartfelt congratulations to the PMMA MADASIKLAN Class of 2023.

This occasion, as we all know, is the culmination of the hard work, diligence, and perseverance that you have held since you first set your ambitions of entering the Philippine Merchant Marine Academy.

With the many stages of screening and evaluation, later on your four-year residency, you embraced the skills, training, and values that the PMMA instilled in you as preparation for your future duties as officers and engineers, either in the Navy or in the Coast Guard, or in the Merchant Marine Fleet.

For the commitment, dedication, and integrity that each of the 224 cadets have demonstrated during the years in academy I say to you: You have done a good job. [applause]

At ang klase ng 2023 may karagdagang sakripisyo ang dinaanan dahil natapat ang inyong klase sa pandemya at hindi kayo masyadong nakauwi dahil nga ay nag-lockdown tayo. Kaya’t ito nga ay talagang napakahirap ang inyong pinagdaanan. Kaya’t naman napakalaking pasasalamat ng Pilipino sa inyong lahat, sa inyong naging serbisyo, sa inyong naging sakripisyo, sa inyong magiging katungkulan sa darating na panahon.

Because as you take on your respective roles—whichever career path you may pursue—I encourage you to continue to do everything with the same amount of passion and resilience that you have shown during the time you had here in PMMA.

Whatever challenges you may face, be open to how you can live up to your class name: “Magigiting na may Dangal at Simbolo ng Kawal ng Karagatan!”

As you do so, help the Philippines maintain its name as a global figure in the maritime industry and an asset to the entire world.

I extend my profound gratitude to the private shipping industry for the support that the PMMA has received from that private – our most important private sector partners.

You are not only making a difference in the lives of these graduates. You are also elevating our capabilities as a maritime nation.

The government welcomes the private sector’s support in promoting quality maritime education and training that allow this industry to be more innovative, more resilient, and adaptive to the ever-changing world.

As your partner in improving the skills and capabilities of our people in the maritime industry, I call on all the concerned agencies to coordinate closely with the PMMA. Facilitate what will make our maritime education even more responsive to the needs of the nation while ensuring that whatever steps that we take will be in compliance with laws and regulations.

This feat represents all that you have brought to the table so that we may fulfill the goals that you have set for your lives.

This success also represents all the good this investment will bring in the future—expect breakthroughs for yourselves, for your families, and also for our country.

Let that thought and let the opportunity to make a change in our society propel you to excel further and to become the leaders that you were trained and meant to be.

Again, with pride as father of this nation, congratulations to the PMMA MADASIKLAN Class of 2023! [applause]

May all of you be blessed as you navigate the world’s seas and oceans in the days and years ahead. My heartfelt congratulations.

Maraming salamat. Magandang araw sa ating lahat at mabuhay ang PMMA. [applause]

— END —

SOURCE: PCO-PND (Presidential News Desk)