SAN NARCISO, Zambales – Former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, along with her sister former Pampanga Vice Gov. Cielo Macapagal-Salgado unveiled a monument to their father, former president Diosdado Macapagal, inside the Philippine Merchant Marine Academy (PMMA) campus on April 21.
The event was in commemoration of the 26th death a of the “poor boy from Lubao, became President of the Philippines.”
President Diosdado Macapagal signed in 1963 Republic Act 3680 which established the Philippine Merchant Marine Academy Charter, conferring the degrees of Bachelor of Science in Marine Transportation Major in Navigation and Seamanship and Bachelor of Science in Marine Engineering, Major in Steam Engine and Electrical Engineering.
Originally named Escuela Nautica de Manila, the Philippine Merchant Marine Academy is one of the oldest educational institutions in the Philippines.
It was inaugurated on April 5, 1820, in its initial location at Intramuros, Manila and was later renamed as the Philippine Nautical School during the American occupation.
PMMA superintendent Commodore Joel Y. Abutal highlighted the importance of commemorating the contributions of the late president Macapagal in positioning the academy as a premiere maritime institution in the country.
For her part, former president Arroyo who is also currently Pampanga 2nd District representative noted “it is not the change of name, but the transformation of the institution,” and cited the ongoing proposal of renaming the academy as Philippine National Maritime Academy that could expand the academy’s capabilities and academic courses.
