PMMA HISTORY

This premier maritime academy was established during the Spanish rule of the Philippines and was named as Escuela Nautica de Manila (Nautical School of Manila) by a royal decree issued in January 1, 1820 by no less than the King Ferdinand VII of .It was then inaugurated on April 5, 1820 at Calle Cabildo in Intramuros, Manila.The school was relocated in1863 to Calle San Juan de Letran,1884 to Calle de Palacio and then to Binondo, Manila in 1898.


The academy was temporarily closed during the Philippine Revolution having the graduates of the school to participate in the war. Among the significant graduates were Captain Pascual Ledesma who is considered to be the first Flag-Officer-In-Command of the Navy under General Aguinaldo's incumbency and Antonio Luna who was sent by General Aguinaldo in Europe to represent the Philippines in peace talks. The 1898 Treaty of Paris ended the Spanish-American War and resulted in the cession of the Philippines to the United States.


Under American occupation, the academy was reopened on December 15, 1899 and renamed Nautical School of the Philippine Islands again moving, to the U.S. Navy Warehouse at Calle Sta. Elena in San Nicolas, with Spanish as the medium of instruction.


Later, the academy was converted into the Philippine Nautical School. In 1913, it was reopened upon representations of progressive firms and was placed under the Philippine School for Arts and Trades located at Arroceros Street, Manila, then later moved to Roberts Street, Pasay City. During World War I. Classes were suspended during the Japanese invasion in WWII ,however it was agin reopened for its significance. After the liberation of Philippines and the establishment of the Commonwealth of the Philippines,it was again reopened placing it under the supervision of Captain Francisco Castaneda.


In 1963, R.A. 3680 renamed the Philippine Nautical School into the Philippine Merchant Marine Academy and changed its course offerings to Bachelor of Science degrees. It was relocated at Fort Bonifacio, Makati City, in 1968. From then on, it was placed under the Department of Transportation and Communications. In 1996, it was placed directly under the supervision of the Commission on Higher Education.


On February 2, 1998, PMMA was transferred to its current location at San Narciso, Zambales.

On June 26, 2002, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo signed an agreement between the governments of the Philippines and Germany through the development bank KfW. Under the agreement, KfW was to provide financial and technical assistance to the PMMA, including new equipment, infrastructure developments (including a new training center), and faculty training and development. On February 27, 2004, the foundation was laid for the construction of the PMMA Safety Training Center. The following year, project was completed with the installation of the full bridge and engine room simulator and other equipment manufactured by Rheinmetall Defence Electronics, and the delivery of a laboratory ship, RPLS Juan Luna, now berthed at the Safety Training Center pier.


The vast contribution and success of PMMA graduates owes it to the unparalleled traditions of quality standards in academics and regimented life as cadets.187 years and Counting