Speech by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. at the Commencement Exercises of the Philippine Merchant Marine Academy (PMMA) Salighirang Class of 2026 “Sagisag ng Liwanag, Haligi ng Huwaran”

Thank you to our DOTr Secretary, Secretary Giovanni Lopez.

The Commission on Higher Education Chairperson Shirley Agrupis; Zambales 2nd District Representative Doris Maniquiz; Zambales Provincial Governor Jun Ebdane; Superintendent of the Philippine Merchant Marine Academy Commodore Joel Abutal; the officers and personnel from the Philippine Merchant Marine Academy; graduates and the families of the PMMA “Salighirang” Class of 2026; partners and stakeholders from the marine industry; other distinguished guests; ladies and gentlemen.

Good morning.

More than two hundred years ago, a small nautical school opened its doors inside Intramuros.

That school would move from street to street, changing its name again and again until it would later be known as the Philippine Merchant Marine Academy.

Like a lighthouse in the middle of a storm, the PMMA has stood for generations, guiding young Filipinos towards the sea and back home.

They carried with them a light that proved their sense of duty to our motherland.

Today, that same light is entrusted to you.

You have chosen to call yourselves SALIGHIRANG.

“Salig,” in Cebuano, means trust and conveys sagisag ng liwanag: a guiding light much like a lighthouse leading ships safely to shore.

“Hirang,” in Filipino, means chosen or destined, with the deeper meaning of haliging huwaran, a role model for future midshipmen.

Salighirang. What a beautiful and poetic word to name yourselves.

Together, you have identified yourselves as both the light that guides ships home and the pillar that your fellow Filipinos can rely on.

Today, 327 of you begin your new voyage.

You will serve in different organizations and carry out different missions. Yet wherever your journey takes you, you will uphold the proud reputation of a Filipino seafarer.

We also recognize our 21 graduates from the PMMA Graduate School.

You prove that the world never stops teaching us lessons, even after we fulfill many journeys at sea.

Congratulations to all of you.

To our dear graduates, you will soon join thousands of Filipino seafarers, the most trusted mariners in the world, bringing pride to our nation.

You are respected because you consistently show competence, professionalism, dedication. More importantly, you have earned the trust of the international community.

But this reputation is not permanent. It must be earned by every generation.

Not too long ago, our maritime education and certification standards came under a serious challenge.

The livelihoods of roughly 50,000 Filipino seafarers serving on European Union-registered vessels were placed at risk.

We could not allow the future of our Filipino seafarers to be placed in such a situation. And that is why your government acted immediately.

We strengthened maritime education and training, improved certification systems, upgraded facilities and equipment, and worked closely with our international partners to ensure that Philippine standards continue to meet global expectations.

Through these efforts, we will continue to safeguard the global employability of Filipino seafarers. At the same time, we will uphold the highest international standards in our maritime education, training, and certification system.

But the government’s duty does not end with standards and employability.

Many of our seafarers continue to travel through uncertain waters, including the areas affected by conflict especially now in the Middle East.

In this difficult situation, your safety and welfare remain our priority. Your government will always be within reach, ready to help.

Today, the diploma you receive carries with it the confidence of an industry that recognizes the excellence of Filipino seafarers.

Kaya sa inyo, sa ating mga nagtapos: kayo ang ilaw na susundan ng iba.

Wherever the sea takes you, whether you serve under the Navy’s flag, guard our shores, or fly our colors as merchant marine officers, never forget to bring that light with you.

Carry yourselves with competence, lead with humility, and serve with integrity.

As you sail across the globe, know that you have with you the hopes of your families, the lessons imparted by the Academy, and the support of a nation that believes in you.

Once again, congratulations. Fair winds and following seas.

Mabuhay ang Salighirang.

Mabuhay ang PMMA.

Mabuhay ang Bagong Pilipinas. [applause]

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