The Commission on Higher Education on Thursday proposed measures to improve the quality of education in Marine Technology and Maritime Engineering programs in the country.

This is in response to the continuing initiatives in ensuring compliance with the European Commission's Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers Convention.

The EC first notified the Philippines of issues in its seafarer education system way back December last year, with possible loss of jobs for Filipino seafarers in the European Union if the country did not comply with the standards.

Sen. Joel Villanueva said last March that about 30,000 Filipino seafarers might lose work if the country did not comply with European maritime standards.

During a House hearing with the Committee on Overseas and Workers Affairs, Jorel Ramirez of the Commission on Higher Education's Office of Programs and Standards Development said that they seek to establish the National Maritime Admission Exam by Academic Year 2023-2024.

He also suggested a five-year moratorium on the creation of new Marine Technology and Maritime Engineering courses to limit the enrollees in maritime programs.

Ramirez reported a 23.93 percent success rate in Marine Technology courses and a 27.22 success rate in Maritime Engineering courses.