Fate must be kind to PMI Colleges. In late January a Quezon City court issued a temporary restraining order (TRO) after the owners questioned the October 2011 closure order from the Philippines’ Commission on Higher Education. This paves the way for a re-audit of the school’s facilities and the continuance of its maritime programmes in the meantime. The detractors of PMI may be shaking their heads. All this, though, boils down to due process. Besides, despite the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) findings on the school, we’ve thought all along that the CHED order was a political move meant to appease the gods of the EU.
Interestingly, the court did not buy the Government’s line that it needed to thwart an imminent threat of the Philippines being blacklisted by the EU or stricken off the IMO “white list”. That kind of argument almost automatically raises the question: why single out the PMI when there are so many maritime schools and state officials themselves insist that the Philippines is fully compliant with the STCW Convention? We also find it significant that the court gave credence to PMI’s claim that it had acquired new equipment as part of its efforts to correct the reported deficiencies. Otherwise, what’s the point of a re-audit?
Yet, PMI’s troubles are far from over. Even if the school passes the re-audit and the court issues a permanent injunction against CHED, the owners still face the difficult challenge of restoring public confidence in the institution. The sad truth is that PMI’s reputation has been badly blemished because of the CHED order and the resulting media publicity. For the school to recover its good name will require a more robust commitment to quality standards and, not less important, a strong dose of public relations. ~Barista Uno
NOTE: A copy of the court TRO against the Commission on Higher Education can be downloaded from Marine Café Blog’s Downloads section.
Sir, what if the PMI school is continuous to closure because of the name of the school?
Sorry, I don’t understand what you mean. Would you care to explain?
PMI will definitely recover SOON, although there are schools keep on backbiting negatively against PMI..
PMI thru its PMI Alumni Association invited its Succesful Alumni (which are part, staff, cadette,executive, owns and manage majority of the most succesful shipping lines in the Philippines) to comfort its alma maters students that there are no truth that the graduates of PMI will face hard time finding/before going on-board.
Unfortunately the TRO is not going to help the Philippine seafaring industry, particularly with an EMSA ban hanging over its head. PMI will use it to stay in business and pursue it up to the Supreme court.
This means that a facility which, for years, has declined to meet necessary standards, can happily stay in business.
Meanwhile, Filipino seafarers are actually losing ground against competition.
Sir, this coming school year 2012-2013, do you still accept new enrolles on BSMT? please reply me as soon as possible, so that we can prepare to enroll my grandaughter for BSMT. Thank you. My cell number 09298338182.
Mr. Ranara
Thank you for visiting the blog. The TRO issued in January means PMI Colleges can continue accepting students for its maritime programmes. I suggest, however, that you check with the registrar of PMI Colleges for more information.
I’am an Alumni of P.M.I. graduated 36 years ago. CHED decision to close this refutable school which produced thousands of Master Mariners and Chief Engineers is a brutal slap to us who are serving the world shipping fleet. We felt lot of embarrassment to their act and decision. They should think a lot before closing the two major course.
Capt. D. L. Samaniego
Honestly, i am not in favor for the closure of PMI Colleges. to think it is a pioneer school founded in Sept. 1948 by no less that the discoverer of KALAYAAN GROUP of ISLANDS, Admiral Tomas Cloma. PMI Colleges has produced professional mariners scattered across the globe and if quality of education is an issue there are bogus schools all over the Phils. that CHED should look after which popped up like mushrooms but do not produce BOARD PASSERS. PMI has proven itself for decades.
With out us PMI Alumnai 70, You people ,you are now enjoying the fruit of our struggle to become a degree holder as BSMT.. not only the graduates of PMI but all Marine Officers who are graduates from the year 1975 from different private school of Maritime.
I am Capt. Rustico Z. Pagunsan , P.M.I 1970
Regardless of anyone’s fondness for their maritime alma mater and wish to defend it, only three questions are relevant:
Was PMI up to required international standards when examined by EMSA the first time?
Was PMI up to international standards the second time when examined by EMSA?
Were the appropriate government agencies applying due diligence to ensuring that PMI was up to international standards?
We know the answer to all three questions, they are in the EMSA report.
How good or otherwise PMI was in the 1970s is irrelevant. What matters is whether it comes up to spec in the 2000s.
I’ve been hurt when I heard the news but to those who’s in doubt to PMI,dont worry. The accusation they put to PMI is not true. For me PMI Colleges is still the first/pioneer and leading maritime school in the country. It’s my alma mater…Go Go PMI!
Rolando B. Sabile
Marine Engineering Batch 1995
My brother is graduating this semester. I just want to make sure he will be given S.O. Number since I hear many things regarding this issue. We need an assurance on this matter. Kindly reply Thanks.
Thank you for reading the blog and commenting.
Justin, I suggest you get in touch with the Office of the Registrar at PMI. It would also be a good idea for you to verify the status of PMI’s maritime programmes with the Commission on Higher Education. The CHED officials should be able to answer your questions regarding your brother and other graduating PMI cadets.
Good luck.
Hello Sir,
After the said closure of the two major courses in PMI, my brother didn’t enroll anymore. And this second semester of 2012-2013, he wants to go back to continue BSMT there.. are you accepting enrollees? Is the school okay now?
It’s best that you address your query to the Office of the Registrar, PMI Colleges.
Thanks for reading the blog.