Presidential Decree No. 1369-Cedar Herald Index

WHEREAS, the expanding national maritime fleet of the Philippines in both domestic and foreign trades consisting of cargo liners, tankers, barges, tugboats, bulk carriers and modern passengers liners and the international merchant fleets being served by Filipino seamen requires and ever-increasing number of properly trained, skilled and qualified seamen to man these fleets;

WHEREAS, there is an urgent need to maximize the employment of Filipino seafarers and other related professions to help solve the unemployment problem in the country;

Presidential Decree No. 1369

WHEREAS, the foreign currency earnings of the country generated from the remittances of Filipino seamen employed in foreign-going ships is a major contribution to the national economy and serves as a significant factor in the stabilization of our dollar reserves which may further be raised through the increased employment of Filipino professional seafarers.

Presidential Decree No. 1369

WHEREAS, there is an immediate and dire need to update and upgrade the capability and qualifications of the present graduates of the maritime schools in order for them to keep abreast with the continuing changes, innovations and development in the maritime industry;

Presidential Decree No. 1369

WHEREAS, the existing maritime institutions generating the supply of deck and engine licensed officers and ratings must be supplemented by way of job-oriented training programs to update and upgrade their skills and competence and increase their acceptability for employment in the national maritime fleet and world's shipping;

WHEREAS, the establishment of a national maritime upgrading essentially geared at providing better employment opportunities in the domestic and international shipping for Filipino seafarers through more work-oriented training programs must positively be considered;

WHEREAS, the establishment of a national maritime upgrading institution essentially geared at providing better employment opportunities in the domestic and international shipping for Filipino seafarers through more work-oriented training programs must positively be considered;

WHEREAS, the establishment of a national maritime upgrading institution has been thoroughly studied, discussed and unanimously endorsed by the Technical Committee organized under LOI 538 comprising of memberships from the Department of Education and Culture, National Economic and Development Authority, Department of Finance, Professional Regulations Commission, Maritime Industry Authority, Philippine Coast Guard, Philippine Merchant Marine Academy, National Seamen Board, Philippine Association of Maritime Institutions, Associated Marine Officers and Seamen's Union of the Philippines, Filipino Shipowners Association and other representatives from the maritime industry.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, FERDINAND E. MARCOS, President of the Philippines, pursuant to Proclamation No. 1081, dated September 21, 1972, as amended, do hereby decree the creation of the National Maritime Polytechnic, with its concomittant functions and duties and appropriating funds therefor and other purposes as follows:

1. Establishment

There is hereby established the National Maritime Polytechnic in Tacloban, Leyte and extension schools in Luzon and Mindanao.

2. Purposes

(a) The National Maritime Polytechnic shall offer specialization and upgrading courses for both licensed officers and ratings;

(b) It shall conduct researches and studies on the latest maritime technologies and other related matters for the maritime industry.

3. Powers of the Polytechnic

The following are the powers of the Polytechnic:

(a) It shall have the general powers as set forth in the corporation law except as herein provided;

(b) It shall have the power to acquire public lands for its expansion and/or beneficial use and;

(c) It shall be authorized to undertake the construction of its buildings and other permanent improvements and such sums as may be necessary to maintain and operate its facilities and shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Acts for the Polytechnic.