The Philippine Merchant Marine Academy (PMMA; Filipino: Akademiya sa Bapor Pangkalakalan ng Pilipinas) is a maritime education institution, and is operated by the Philippine government. The academy is located in San Narciso, Zambales. Students are called midshipmen but are often also referred to as cadets. Upon graduation students are commissioned as ensigns (second lieutenants) in the Philippine Navy Reserve and have the option to join the merchant marine, the Philippine Navy, or the Philippine Coast Guard..
Research shows that the Philippines shows massive indications of extreme climate vulnerability (ND-GAIN Index, 2024; IPCC, 2022). Recent research shows (IMF, 2020) that the climate impact is exacerbated by resource-extracting environmental crimes like unregulated logging, illegal mining, and pillaging of natural resources. These crimes produce a collapse of ecosystems, weaken our natural defenses against the climate, and impact the climate-vulnerable more than the rest of the world. These include the Indigenous, farming, and coastal communities and peoples (Global Witness, 2023). Corporations are still under-implementing climate adaptation actions, even though there is strategic alignment with Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) frameworks. These climate actions still neglect the systemic causes of vulnerability, stemming from environmental degradation and supply chain exploitation (UNEP, 2021). Effective adaptation research shows the need for policy on the inequities causing precarity.
Maritime systems are becoming increasingly automated, creating a need for highly skilled engineers in marine automation with strong knowledge of control engineering, instrumentation, and ways to run automated systems. The inadequacy of traditional teaching techniques to offer sufficient interactivity, accessibility, and uniformity needed for learning in a technologically complex world has resulted in a need for new forms of delivering instruction. This study aimed to produce, implement, evaluate a web-based instructional package that would improve teaching of Basic Control Engineering (BCE) through use of an Internet-based package (IPMAC) at the Philippine Merchant Marine Academy. The IPMAC system was developed using PHP and MySQL, and had interactive lecture presentations, visualisations of control systems, automated assessment and feedback, and an ability to monitor progress, all from one web-based application. A descriptive evaluative research methodology was developed to assess the usability, effectiveness and satisfaction of use by Engineering students at the Philippine Merchant Marine Academy, faculty members, and IT professionals through a structured survey. Based on the answers provided by participants, all participants agreed that using this system was useful in providing support for their lesson plans and keeping students engaged throughout the learning process. Participants also indicated they better comprehended the concept of automation and that they could successfully teach students both the benefit of automated systems as well as the effectiveness of using automated systems when teaching students through assessments/tests.
This study assessed the levels of financial literacy and economic empowerment among Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) personnel to inform the development of a tailored Financial Autonomy Training Course. A mixed-methods research design using concurrent triangulation was employed. Quantitative data were collected through a structured survey administered to 400 PCG personnel, including officers, non-officers, and non-uniformed personnel. Qualitative data were gathered through key informant interviews with selected PCG leaders and personnel. Results showed that respondents generally demonstrated high to extremely high levels of financial literacy and economic empowerment. Among the financial literacy dimensions, debt management obtained the highest rating, whereas investing received the lowest rating, indicating limited practical knowledge and participation in investment activities. In terms of economic empowerment, job security and job satisfaction received very high ratings, while work–life balance and purchasing power, although rated high, reflected existing financial and occupational pressures. Qualitative findings indicated that financial literacy initiatives within the PCG were limited, fragmented, and primarily focused on retirement preparation rather than continuous financial capability development. Participants also identified financial stress, limited discretionary income, operational demands, and the absence of a structured financial education program as key challenges. In conclusion, while personnel demonstrated generally positive levels of financial literacy and economic empowerment, gaps remained in investment literacy, long-term financial planning, financial stress management, and institutional support. The findings supported the institutionalization of a tailored Financial Autonomy Training Course to strengthen the financial capability and well-being of PCG personnel.
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), as the country’s frontline in enforcing maritime laws, requires strong investigative capabilities to combat crimes such as smuggling, piracy, and illegal fishing across its extensive archipelago. This study was designed to evaluate the investigation and detection skills of the PCG’s Investigation and Detection Management Service (CGIDMS) and develop a specialized training curriculum. Using a mixed-method approach, the research involved interviews with senior officers and a scenario-based exam for 114 CGIDMS personnel. The assessment identified core competencies, measured existing skills, and analyzed the gaps between them. The best practices from international and local law enforcement agencies were also examined through document review. The findings revealed that CGIDMS personnel possess moderate competency, with an average score of 38.69 out of 60. While they demonstrated proficiency in briefings, legal compliance, and scene security, significant gaps were identified in intelligence gathering, forensic procedures, DNA interpretation, and evidence documentation and articulation. Triangulated data confirmed persistent needs for better legal preparedness and inter-agency coordination. Based on these results and analysis of best practices, the study proposed an Integrated Competency-Based Training Program. This modular, simulation-driven program focuses on strengthening legal compliance, forensic accuracy, and operational coordination. The research highlights the urgent need for systematic training reform to enhance the PCG’s investigative effectiveness and align it with international standards.
The integration of smart contracts in energy markets marks a transformative shift toward decentralization, automation, and enhanced transactional efficiency. As blockchain-based technologies are increasingly used to facilitate peer-to-peer energy trading, grid management, and decentralized energy exchanges, questions of legal enforceability, liability, and dispute resolution remain critical. This chapter aims to examine the foundational legal and regulatory considerations that govern smart contracts within the context of energy markets. It will explore how traditional legal principles interact with emerging technologies, including the enforceability of self-executing code under contract law, jurisdictional challenges, and the applicability of consumer protection and liability statutes. Case studies from pioneering jurisdictions such as the European Union, the United States, and select Asia-Pacific countries will be analyzed to provide comparative insights.
