PRIVILEGE SPEECH OF HON. ANTONIO DIAZ, REP. OF 2ND DISTRICT OF ZAMBALES
Feb 23 2009, 1800H

REP. ANTONIO M. DIAZ
2nd District of Zambales

Find below  the complete text and the Privilege Speech of Hon. Antonio Diaz, Rep. of 2nd district of Zambales, delivered at the Plenary Hall of Congress last 1800H 23 February 2009:

(PO-Deputy Speaker Singson, E.)
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER(Rep. Singson, E.)...Welcome to the  House of Representatives.

PRIVILEGE HOUR

REP. GARIN. Today being a Monday, I move that we declare a Privelege Hour and for this purpose. I further move that we recognize the Honorable Antonio Diaz, Representative of the Second District of Zambales, for his privelege speech.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER( Rep. Singson, E.)..Any objection?( silence) The Chair hears none: the Privelege Hour is now open and the Honorable Diaz will deliver his privelege speech. 

PRIVILEGE SPEECH OF REP. DIAZ

REP. DIAZ.  I again stand to give due recognition to the Philippine Merchant Marine Academy whose President and his staff are in the gallery, including some of its students, some of its 1000 students. This government educational institution is located in my district.

The Philippine Merchant Marine Academy is constantly in pursuit of maintaining a high degree of excellence in the field of maritime education and training, our products have been honed and have withstand the test of time having been trained in the ideals of KAWASTUAN, KABABAANG LOOB, AT KAGITINGAN.  

Truly, it can be said that a rock solid educational foundation through a strict regiment of discipline and positive attitude development are proven methods of positively inculcating the need to succeed despite of the seeming insurmountable odds that lay within the path of success and glory.
 
The Professional Regulation Commission in their recently released exam results of the written phase of the Marine Engineer Officers Licensure Examinations covering the Chief Engineer, Second Engineer, and Officer-In-Charge Engine Officers administered on January of 2009 have shown PMMA’ers landing in the top spots among the examinees.
 
The results in the written phase of the Chief Marine Engineer examination, PMMA graduates landed in the 1st, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, and 9th places. PMMA’ers had a 92% passing percentage with 25 exam takers 23 of whom passed the exams.
 
For the 2nd Marine Engineer examination results in the written phase, PMMA graduates garnered a remarkable score allowing them to land in the 3rd, 5th,  6th place, and 10th places respectively. We had a 90% passing average with 21 takers 19 passed the exams
 
The seven (7) examinees who have easily hurdled and passed the written phase of the Officer-In-Charge- Marine Engineer examination giving a 100% passing average.  Out of the seven successful examinees, one of them landed in the 8th and the other in the 10th places. There is a consistent 100% performance rating comparable to the last July-August 2008 exam results.  
 
Given the consistent positive performance in the PRC-administered examinations, it can be said that PMMA graduates serves as role models when it comes to professional examinations.
 
Again, if we may be permitted to re-state that PMMA’s continuous commitment to achieve excellence in the field of maritime education somehow truly merits the possible classification of the oldest maritime institution of the Philippines to be a Center of Excellence in maritime education and training.
 
New global leaders have shown us that we can make a change in all of us meant for a better world and through hard work, perseverance, and total commitment to make a difference, we can guarantee that economic growth and development of our country is on the high end.
 
Most developing countries have realized the significance of strengthening their stock in the arena of science and technology, for they serve as blueprints for development of any nation here and far alike.
 
Despite of the so called global financial melt down, our country is able to slowly weather the economic storm in our midst, this we can greatly attribute to the modern heroes of our country, the Overseas Filipino Workers who have been continuously sending dollar remittances and have been responsible in shoring our dollar reserves.
 
Admittedly, we are on an uphill battle nevertheless, given the Filipino people’s resiliency and ability to live given meager resources, we are quite sure that together we can make it.
 
PMMA’ers have always enjoyed a high rate of employability though we see a further slump in global demand given the slowdown in the movement of maritime fleets, nevertheless, a more aggressive marketing approach of labor exporting efforts is highly in order. The need to get our acts together and focus our efforts to address current industry demands seems to be the order of the day.
 
Our top policymakers and implementers must truly collaborate and look at their stock of competent people for them to assist in crafting sound legislations for the betterment of the maritime and shipping industry.
 
Tapping the right people for the appropriate work is one ingredient to indicate a sound management and a stable leadership. This is the principal focus.
 
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
 
REP. GOLEZ. Mr. Speaker.
 
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER ( Rep. Singson, E.). The Honorable Golez.
 
REP. GOLEZ. Mr. Speaker, I listened to the speech of our colleague from Zambales, the honorable congressman Antonio Diaz, about the achievements of the Philippine Merchant Marine Academy and the Representation would like to join him in his commendation to the Philippine Merchant Marine Academy that has been doing very well in board exams and not only that, by showing the flag of the Philippines all over the world.
 
In fact, I would daresay that the sun virtually never sets as far as the alumni of the Philippine Merchant Marine Academy are concerned because of their deployment in the leading inter-ocean ships all over the world of various nationalities, not only the Philippine flag but the flags of other major merchant marine countries.
 
I know the fact, Mr. Speaker, distinguished colleague from Zambales, mthat alumni of the Philippine Merchant Marine Academy have occupied key positions, not only in the world merchant marine but also here un the Philippines in manning companies, in ship management companies and also in the Philippine Navy and, even very surprisingly, there is even one alumnus that occupied a very key position in the Philippine Air Force several decades ago. I am also aware that one of them even became Flag Officer In Command of the Philippine Navy. And that is why, Mr. Speaker, I would like to make this manifestation that I am joining our colleague from Zambales in congatulating the Philippine Merchant Marine Academy and its alumni.

Thank you very much Mr. Speaker; thank you very much, distinguished colleague.
 
REP. DIAZ. Thank you very much Mr. Speaker, and I would like to thank the Gentleman from Parañaque for his observance in monitoring the efforts of the officers and men, and the student population of PMMA in Zambales because it is source of pride for our country.
Thank you Mr. Speaker.
 
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER ( Rep. Singson, E.). Majority Leader.
REP. GARIN. Mr. Speaker, may I move that we refer the speech of the honorable Diaz, as well as its interpellations to the appropriate committee. I so move, Mr. Speaker.
 
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER ( Rep. Singson, E.). Is there any objection to the motion? ( silence) The chair hears none;the motion is approved.
 
REP. GARIN. Mr. Speaker, I move for the change of referral of [ the following measure:] House Bill No. 5943.
 
FROM COMMITTEE ON CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS TO THE COMMITTEE ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT.
I so move, Mr. Speaker.