VMA History
In 1973, the Visayan Maritime Academy (VMA) was founded by then Ambassador to Japan, Honorable Roberto Salas Benedicto, who owned a shipping company, Northern Lines, licensed for international (Phil- US and Phil- Japan) and domestic trade. VMA, the first maritime school located in Bacolod City, in the province of Negros Occidental, was closed down ten years later due to management decision. The surrounding community, however petitioned the Department of Education (DEC) to reopen VMA and a group of dedicated visionaries decided to take actions. Orola, Jr., having its own manning and crewing agency, TIPOLO Shipping International, later renamed OROHIL Shipping International Co., Inc.. as Chairman, with the sole authority by the owner, Hon. Benedicto, under the Lease-Purchase Agreement, to reopen the said institution and to continue the maritime program
AMTDC applied for permit to offer the B.S. Marine Transportation and Associate in Marine Engineering courses in April 1986 at the Department of Education, approved on May 4, 1987. In School Year 1987-’88, Visayan Maritime Academy is re-established as a Maritime Institution with the President Mrs. Elizabeth Orola-Salabas and Captain Andres Gatpatan as Superintendent. A total of 574 students enrolled with 159 from the BSMT department while 415 from the AME department for the first semester. In the second semester, Chief Mate Jimmy Milano manned VMA’s Deck department and Fourth Marine Engineer Albert Diaz headed the Engine department as Dean respectively. In the second year of its restoration in 1989, VMA is adjudged by the Philippine Association of Maritime Institutions (PAMI), Marine Industry Authority (MARINA) and the Department of Education, as one of the TOP TEN Maritime Institutions in the survey of maritime schools. In 1992, AMTDC put up training facilities for SOLAS (SAFETY OF LIFE AT SEA), to strengthen the practical application of theories per maritime curriculum on the property owned by the Orola family in the adjoining Barangay Pahanocoy. Catching the attention of DEC, then Regional Director, Dr. Lilia Gaduyon, encouraged VMA Training Center to conduct training to students of other maritime schools in Region VI. In 1993, VMA Training Center was accredited by the Maritime Training Council (MTC) and eventually by MARINA. In 1995, AMTDC, acquired ownership of Visayan Maritime Academy. In school year 1997-1998, with its full compliance to the requirements of Commission on Higher Education (CHED), VMA offered new courses such as BSHRM, BS Tourism, and BS Information Technology and BS Business Administration. With its continuing efforts from the objectives set forth, VMA was granted with a support from its sister school in Hiroshima, Japan, and sister companies namely OROPHIL Shipping International and AZUCAR Shipping Corporation for shipboard training and on-the-job trainings for the students. On August 15, 1999 the American Bureau of Shipping, a Texas-based certifying body, issued the ISO 9000: 2000 certification to the VMA and VMA Training Center, ISO 9000: 2008 and ISO 9001:2015 by AJA Registrar. Latest technological aids such as the Full Mission Bridge, Mini Bridge, Cargo Handling, and Global Maritime Distress Satellite System & Engine Room with walkthrough room were installed at the Simulator. These facilities are guaranteed with continuous improvement. In the year 2006, Visayan Maritime Academy (VMA) changed its name upon the suggestion of TESDA and CHED to cover the extent of program offering (now including Non-maritime) and affiliations with the international communities for On the-Job training, Practicum and Job Placement. Involved in its survey for a new identity were its alumni, parents, faculty and industry stakeholders, came up with the name, VMA Global College, eventually registered in SEC as VMA Global College and Training Centers, Inc. Presently, this era began to establish more adequate and Top-of-the-Line facilities to support learning and training; enhanced KONGSBERG Simulators for deck, installed the Walk-Through engine simulator, improvement of Marine Laboratory to include, instrumentation and process control, electrical and motor control training modules and electronic training module. Constructed the ASEAN building for additional classrooms, library, function halls, and the formulation of its High School Department. The programs, Bachelor of Science in Hotel and Restaurant Management (BSHRM) and Bachelor of Science in Tourism (BST) were accredited by SSM Maritime Services in 2004, Dream Search in 2007, HRI International in 2009 and Career For You in 2017 for international practicum and/or eventual employment. Its philosophy on the ideals of Discipline has evolved where the school produced graduates and professionals serving in domestic and overseas / international companies for decades since its establishment. The founding objectives and values were carved in every alumnus and student that the founder has laid down to continue to live on which alumni all over the world, including companies employing them have only praises for their discipline and competence. At present, VMA supports the K-12 program offering , Accountancy, Business and Management (ABM), Humanities and Social Sciences (HUMSS), and Techvoc ( Food and Beverage Services, Housekeeping for the Senior High School Program. VMA Technical Education and Skills Training Center (VMA TESTC) with TESDA program was established for scholarships under the:
*Training for Work Scholarship Program
*Special Training for Employment Program
*Negros First Scholarship
*Universal Access for Quality Tertiary Education Act
*Department of Interior Local Government Travajo (Local Government Unit)
for Training Programs:
*Bartending NCII *Bread and Pastry Production NCII *Cookery NCII
*Housekeeping NCII *Food and Beverage Services NCII *Travel Service NCII
*Housekeeping NCIII *Shielded Metal Arc Welding NCI *Tourism Promotion Services NCII
*Contact Tracing NCII *Shielded Metal Arc Welding NCII * Events Management NCIII
* Hospitality Services Technology NCII
*Ships Catering NC1 & NCIII* Local Guiding
VMA TESTC is also an accredited Competency Assessment Center for programs:
ACCOUNTANCY, BUSINESS MANAGEMENT
SECTOR:
1. Cookery NCII
4. Bartending NCII
5. Bread and Pastry Production NCII
6. Housekeeping NCIII
7. Tourism Promotion Services NCII
8. Events Management NCIII
9. Front Office Services NCII
10. Travel Services NCII
11. Book-keeping NCII
12. Customer Services NCII
13. Micro Finance Technology NCII
14. Hospitality Services Technology NCII
15. Local Guiding
16. Ships Catering NC I
17. Ships Catering NCIII ( SHIPS COOK)
METALS AND ENGINEERING SECTOR
1. Shielded Metal Arc Welding NC I
2. Shielded Metal Arc Welding NCII
HEALTH, SOCIAL AND OTHER COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT SERVICES
1. Barangay Health Services NCII
Revised Edition : February 18,2022
By : Dr. EOSALABAS/JGMACARANAS,RL
