24/06/2026
๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ซ๐ฌ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ข๐ฆ๐ฉ๐ฅ๐๐ฆ๐๐ง๐ญ๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง ๐๐จ๐ซ ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐-๐๐๐๐, ๐๐๐จ๐ฉ๐ญ๐ฌ ๐ข๐ง๐ญ๐๐ซ๐ข๐ฆ ๐๐๐ฆ๐ข๐ฌ๐ฌ๐ข๐จ๐ง ๐ฆ๐๐๐ฌ๐ฎ๐ซ๐๐ฌ ๐๐จ๐ซ ๐ฆ๐๐ซ๐ข๐ญ๐ข๐ฆ๐ ๐ฌ๐๐ก๐จ๐จ๐ฅ๐ฌ
The Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) has deferred the implementation of the National Merchant Marine Aptitude Test (NaMMAT) for Academic Year (AY) 2026-2027 and directed maritime schools to admit students without requiring the aptitude test as part of the enrollment process.
The directive was issued through MARINA Advisory No. 2026-34, citing the need for a comprehensive review of the test's implementation following concerns raised by stakeholders.
The decision is anchored on Republic Act No. 12021, otherwise known as the Magna Carta of Filipino Seafarers, and its Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR), which transferred jurisdiction over maritime education and training (MET) from the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) to the maritime agency.
In connection with MARINA Advisory No. 2025-39, which provides the transitory guidelines for the transfer of maritime education functions to MARINA, the Agency is set to assume full responsibility for the administration of the NaMMAT beginning AY 2026-2027. As preparation to assume full responsibility for the aptitude test, the MARINA recognized the need to further assess its implementation following concerns and feedback raised by various stakeholders.
With the deferment, all Maritime Higher Education Institutions (MHEIs) are directed to admit and enroll incoming students and transferees without requiring NaMMAT results. Instead, maritime schools may continue to use their own institutional admission or entrance examinations for student screening and selection.
The MARINA also encouraged MHEIs to strengthen their admission processes to ensure that they remain aligned with program requirements and applicable national and international standards for maritime education.
The Authority emphasized that the temporary measure is intended to support a smooth transition of maritime education functions while safeguarding opportunities for students who wish to pursue maritime careers.
The MARINA remains committed to enhancing the quality of maritime education and training in the country, and will issue further guidance upon completion of the review.
๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ซ๐ฌ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ข๐ฆ๐ฉ๐ฅ๐๐ฆ๐๐ง๐ญ๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง ๐๐จ๐ซ ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐-๐๐๐๐, ๐๐๐จ๐ฉ๐ญ๐ฌ ๐ข๐ง๐ญ๐๐ซ๐ข๐ฆ ๐๐๐ฆ๐ข๐ฌ๐ฌ๐ข๐จ๐ง ๐ฆ๐๐๐ฌ๐ฎ๐ซ๐๐ฌ ๐๐จ๐ซ ๐ฆ๐๐ซ๐ข๐ญ๐ข๐ฆ๐ ๐ฌ๐๐ก๐จ๐จ๐ฅ๐ฌ
The Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) has deferred the implementation of the National Merchant Marine Aptitude Test (NaMMAT) for Academic Year (AY) 2026-2027 and directed maritime schools to admit students without requiring the aptitude test as part of the enrollment process.
The directive was issued through MARINA Advisory No. 2026-34, citing the need for a comprehensive review of the test's implementation following concerns raised by stakeholders.
The decision is anchored on Republic Act No. 12021, otherwise known as the Magna Carta of Filipino Seafarers, and its Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR), which transferred jurisdiction over maritime education and training (MET) from the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) to the maritime agency.
In connection with MARINA Advisory No. 2025-39, which provides the transitory guidelines for the transfer of maritime education functions to MARINA, the Agency is set to assume full responsibility for the administration of the NaMMAT beginning AY 2026-2027. As preparation to assume full responsibility for the aptitude test, the MARINA recognized the need to further assess its implementation following concerns and feedback raised by various stakeholders.
With the deferment, all Maritime Higher Education Institutions (MHEIs) are directed to admit and enroll incoming students and transferees without requiring NaMMAT results. Instead, maritime schools may continue to use their own institutional admission or entrance examinations for student screening and selection.
The MARINA also encouraged MHEIs to strengthen their admission processes to ensure that they remain aligned with program requirements and applicable national and international standards for maritime education.
The Authority emphasized that the temporary measure is intended to support a smooth transition of maritime education functions while safeguarding opportunities for students who wish to pursue maritime careers.
The MARINA remains committed to enhancing the quality of maritime education and training in the country, and will issue further guidance upon completion of the review.
