Maritime cadets victims of red tape

Maritime cadets victims of red tape
Yashika F. Torib June 3, 2026 https://www.manilatimes.net/2026/06/03/business/maritime/maritime-cadets...

FILIPINO cadets are losing training, promotion, and job opportunities due to backlogs, delays, and negligence of maritime schools and concerned government agencies.

This was the statement made by a seafarer’s union during a Senate Committee hearing chaired by Sen. Raffy Tulfo last May 25.

According to Judy Domingo, president of the United Filipino Seafarers (UFS), cadets have been complaining that they could not get a job even after they have graduated due to the delay of issuance of maritime credentials, some of whom have been waiting for three years.

“One case dated back to 2023. Five to six months after the cadet submitted his documents, the Commission on Higher Education (CHEd) returned it only to say it has no stamp by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG). The PCG, however, said they no longer stamp documents. Why is CHEd requesting for a requirement that is no longer issued by the PCG?” Domingo queried, emphasizing that the matter, three years since, is yet to be addressed.

She asserted during the Senate hearing that the union attempted to settle the matter privately with the concerned maritime school who responded only after a social media public inquiry went viral.

“The school commented that the delay was due to the transition of maritime education from CHEd to the Maritime Industry Authority (Marina).”

Domingo referred to the transfer of regulatory functions from CHEd to Marina under Republic Act 12021, or the Magna Carta of Filipino Seafarers. This directs CHEd to transfer jurisdiction and regulatory functions over maritime education programs to Marina.

“Some of the things she mentioned, we have learned only just now. We need to get information on the cases prior to 2026 so we can act upon it,” Noble added.

Senator Tulfo asked for the committee to issue a subpoena to CHEd to explain its side on the alleged delays in the issuance of SO to maritime cadets.