Former senator and independent candidate Panfilo "Ping" Lacson wants to push for a law for cheap tuition and training for Filipino sailors. During the Konsultahang Bayan in Cebu City, he said the cost of educating sailors is now too expensive even though they contribute a lot to the economy.
In 2024, seafarers sent back to the Philippines a total of $6.94 billion (₱390B). According to Lacson, "They are a great help to the country, so we should help them." He added that the parents of seafarers are struggling to pay the training fees, so action is needed.
Lacson plans to file a law that will ease the costs for those who want to become seafarers. He said that if he returns to the Senate, he will prioritize pushing this bill so that more young people can train and work abroad as seafarers.
