THE House of Representative panel on higher education has approved a consolidated bill mandating the Philippine Merchant Marine Academy (PMMA) to choose one cadet from each of the 253 congressional districts every year to comprise its incoming class.

The Committee on Higher and Technical Education, chaired by Baguio City Rep. Mark Go, approved on Monday, November 14, the consolidated measures, House Bills 2458 and 4835, that would allow aspiring cadets from far-flung areas a chance to fulfill their dreams of becoming merchant marine and naval officers.