Bill Filed to Establish Maritime College in Eastern Samar

Posted on Mar. 23, 2026 at 4:04 am

GUIUAN, Eastern Samar — A new state-run maritime college may soon rise in Eastern Samar to help high school graduates from rural communities become globally competitive seafarers.

Lawmakers have filed House Bill No. 7693, which seeks to establish a College of Maritime Studies at the Eastern Samar State University (ESSU) campus in Guiuan. The proposed college will offer Bachelor of Science in Maritime Transportation (BSMT) and Bachelor of Science in Marine Engineering (BSME) programs, both compliant with international standards set by the International Maritime Organization.

Eastern Samar Lone District Rep. Christopher Sheen Gonzales, who introduced the measure together with 4Ps Party-list Rep. Marcelino Libanan, said the college aims to remove barriers that prevent students from pursuing maritime careers.

“We want to afford a greater number of high school graduates access to state-subsidized maritime education so that they can eventually secure high-paying careers at sea and achieve a higher standard of living for their families,” Rep. Gonzales said.

He noted that many students from the province currently have to travel far to enroll in maritime schools. “Our aim is to significantly reduce geographic and financial barriers to maritime education,” he added.

The Philippines remains one of the world’s top suppliers of seafarers, with an estimated 490,000 Filipino sailors serving on international vessels each year. Filipino maritime professionals are known for their English proficiency and technical training, competing with workers from China, India, Indonesia, and Russia.

Gonzales has also filed bills to upgrade ESSU extension units in Balangiga and Arteche into full campuses. Both measures have been endorsed by the House committee on higher and technical education for plenary approval. — The Vanguard