ILOILO City – What was formerly a cargo ship that carried container trucks will be used in training maritime students in Panay Island.
M/V John B. Lacson is the first training ship of its kind in the Philippines, according to owner and manager JBL Maritime Vanguard Services, Inc.
The training ship was an upgraded 30-year-old cargo ship based in Bataan province.
The one-year upgrade cost P230 million, said JBL Maritime Vanguard Services, Inc. chairman Captain Vicente Fedelicio.
“At least, with the conversion, I would say 90 percent (of the ship) was renewed,” Fedelicio told the press.
Starting January 2019 the training ship will fully operate, catering first to students of the John B. Lacson Foundation Maritime University. The school is affiliated with the ship owner and manager.
M/V John B. Lacson may also accommodate maritime students from other schools in Panay Island or may be turned into a venue for other activities, like private weddings and sunset cruises.
“It’s already occupied but we welcome other clients, the maritime universities here in Panay. We are open to that. The goal is for … maritime training and education in Region 6,” he added.
Currently docked at the Philippine Ports Authority passenger terminal in Fort San Pedro, the training ship was inaugurated on Dec. 12.
A press invite from the ship owner stated that they were bringing the training ship to Iloilo City “to give students in maritime education and other related courses the exposure, immersion and relevant training activities that would ensure their learning engagements and competencies for a fruitful career ahead, especially in this undisputed seafaring capital.”
Meanwhile Mayor Jose Espinosa III welcomed the training ship.
Its presence in this capital city is a “clear manifestation of Iloilo’s growing reputation as a gold mine of highly skilled manpower and as the seafarer capital of the Philippines,” said Espinosa.
The local chief executive hopes more Ilonggos would join the “booming” maritime industry./PN
