Primary and Secondary Objectives of the Academy
- Primary objective: To produce well-trained merchant marine officers capable of competing internationally and serving as naval auxiliaries during war or emergencies.
- Secondary objective: To train personnel in other merchant marine service areas such as marine surveying, port supervision, shipping office management, and shipping management.
Superintendent of the Academy
- The institution is headed by a Superintendent who must be a master mariner.
- The Superintendent is appointed by the President of the Philippines upon the Board's recommendation.
- Holds responsibilities similar to those of a college president.
Composition of the Philippine Merchant Marine Academy Board
- Chaired ex officio by the Secretary of Commerce and Industry.
- Includes representatives from the Philippine Navy, various marine boards, associations of pilots, shipowners, marine officers, and the Academy Superintendent.
- Board members serve without compensation except for actual expenses incurred.
Powers and Duties of the Academy Board
- Confers degrees to successful graduates.
- Appoints and manages faculty and staff including compensation, duties, and disciplinary actions.
- Approves curricula and disciplinary rules developed by the Academy Council.
- Provides fellowships and scholarships.
- Enacts ordinances and regulations consistent with the Academy's purpose.
- Administers donations and appropriates funds as authorized by law.
Quorum and Legal Process
- Quorum is a majority of Board members.
- Legal processes against the Board are served to the Superintendent or Secretary.
Annual Reporting Requirement
- The Board must submit an annual detailed report on the Academy's progress, condition, and needs to the President of the Philippines by June 15 each year.
Academy Council
- Composed of the Superintendent and all instructors and professors.
- Responsible for prescribing curricula and disciplinary rules, subject to Board approval.
- Sets admission and graduation requirements.
- Recommends degree recipients.
- Holds disciplinary power over students within Board-approved rules.
Faculty Composition and Religious Neutrality
- Faculty consists of all instructors and professors with the Superintendent as presiding officer.
- No religious tests or inquiries allowed for faculty appointment.
- Faculty prohibited from teaching sectarian doctrines or influencing students regarding religion, under penalty of dismissal.
Civil Service Exemption for Faculty
- Faculty members are exempt from civil service examination and regulations as a requirement for appointment.
Secretary of the Academy
- Appointed by the Academy Board.
- Acts as Secretary to both the Board and the Academy.
- Responsible for maintaining Academy records as designated by the Board.
Examination Exemptions for Graduates
- Graduates with Bachelor of Science in Marine Transportation major in navigation and seamanship are exempt from the third mate examination.
- Graduates with Bachelor of Science in Marine Transportation major in steam engine and electrical engineering are exempt from the fourth steam engineers' examination.
Continuity of Personnel and Salary Adjustments
- Current Superintendent, faculty, and staff of the Philippine Nautical School are absorbed by the Academy to maintain curriculum continuity.
- Salaries may be adjusted by the Academy Board within appropriations.
Appropriations and Funding
- Initial appropriation of ₱800,000 for the fiscal year 1963-1964.
- Additional ₱500,000 allocated to acquire a modern steam-powered training ship.
- Annual maintenance funding of ₱300,000 to be included in General Appropriation Acts thereafter.
- Release of funds conditioned on certification of fund availability by appropriate financial authorities.
Repeal of Inconsistent Laws
- All existing laws inconsistent with this Act are repealed.
Effectivity
- The Act takes effect immediately upon approval.