A lawmaker urged the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) to reduce the training fees once a ‘blended learning program’ is introduced among Filipino seafarers.

Marino Party-List Rep. Sandro Gonzalez made a call to officer-in-charge Executive Director Samuel Batalla of Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW) for seafarers in a Facebook Live about “e-learning platform” for the country’s seafarers on Saturday.

“Ang pagbawas sa training fees ay kabilang sa mandato ng MARINA at malaking tulong ito para sa ating mga seaman na gumagastos ng malaking halaga sa kanilang face-to-face training dito sa Pilipinas (The reduction of training fees is part of MARINA’s mandate and this will help a lot our seafarers who spend huge amount for their face-to-face training in the Philippines),” Gonzalez said.

Batalla assured that MARINA would immediately raise the issue to different concerned agencies.

Gonazales said the e-learning platform will help seafarers save time and money, especially those living far from the training centers.

“Malaking tipid ito pagdating sa accommodation, transportation, at iba pang miscellaneous fees ng ating mga kabaro (This will really help when it comes to accommodation, transportation and other miscellaneous fees being paid by our seafarers),” he said.

The e-learning platform would also give seafarers a chance to study even while on-board the ship “inside or outside the country or even while on vacation.”

Gonzales said the e-learning programs also include the Management Level Courses (MLC) which provides distance learning programs.

During the Facebook livestream program, the seafarers also got their chance to raise questions, including about the Maritime Industry Development Plan and MLC. (PNA)