First Tawi-Tawi maritime school proposed in Bangsamoro parliament

Tawi-Tawi province in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao may soon establish its first maritime school, a move supported by various sectors including the local business community and provincial officials. The proposed enabling law, authored by Bangsamoro parliament member Jet Lim, is currently under consideration by the regional parliament.

The measure, co-authored by lawyer Nabil Tan, also mandates the allocation of at least P190 million from the regional government for the school's setup in one of Tawi-Tawi's island towns. Governor Ysmael Sali expressed strong support, highlighting that residents currently must travel to distant cities like Zamboanga for maritime education, a costly and inaccessible option for many.

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I’m confident that my fellow regional lawmakers and our chief minister will give a collective imprimatur for my proposal to create a maritime school in our province.

Lim, who is also a spokesperson for the parliament, expressed confidence in the proposal's approval, noting that Chief Minister Abdulrauf Macacua has no objections. Several other parliament members, including lawyers Naguib Sinarimbo and Ishak Mastura, and physician-turned-minister Kadil Sinolinding Jr., have also voiced their support, emphasizing the urgent need for such an institution in Tawi-Tawi.

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There is an urgent need to establish that proposed maritime school in Tawi-Tawi.