John B. Lacson Foundation Maritime University

The John B. Lacson Foundation Maritime University was founded by Capt. Juan Bautista Lacson, graduated from Philippine Nautical School (presently the Philippine Merchant Marine Academy) class of 1920, a talented and hard working master mariner in his time. It first started with a review school for marine officers in May 1931 before the establishment of the Iloilo Maritime Academy in 1948.

When it first opened with 60 enrollees, the Academy offered a two-year regular course for cadets in the nautical profession leading to the acquisition of a Third Mate license for merchant marine officers as well as reserved naval officers in the Philippine Navy. By the time it was granted permit to operate in 1949, the school had 150 junior students and 54 seniors.

The following year, it was granted government recognition and registered as a non-stock corporation by the Securities and Exchange Commission. To accommodate its growing population, the Academy transferred locations a couple of times before settling along Muelle Loney Street, Iloilo City in 1953. The height of activism, strikes, pickets and labor unrest in the country in 1971 did not spare the Iloilo Maritime Academy from the fury of the times.

In 1972, there was a change in leadership of the institution in the person of the Capt. Lacson’s youngest daughter, Mary Lou Lacson, who was welcomed and accepted even by union members. It was this year that marked the beginning of the expansion of IMA to JBLCF, i.e., JBLFMU - Arevalo in 1973, JBLCF – Bacolod in 1974, JBLFMU – Molo in 1976, and JBLF – Training Center in 1995. Also, the Puerto del Mar unit in Guimaras was established in 1991.

In 1994, the different units were reorganized into the John B. Lacson Foundation, Inc. System.

The name John B. Lacson Foundation was adopted in 1985 by the institution to give honor and legacy to its founder, Capt. Juan "John" B. Lacson, when it was converted from a stock corporation to a foundation. In 1985, a contest was conducted among the members of the institution for a new logo due to the conversion of Iloilo Maritime Academy into JBLCF. Midshipman Nelson Reyes of the Marine Engineering Department won the logo making contest. With slight revisions, it was adopted as the official JBLCF logo and later incorporated in the new logo when it was elevated to a university.

John B. Lacson Foundation, Inc. System consists of four major academic components.[1]

Logo	School	Location	Established	Notes
	John B. Lacson Foundation Maritime University - Arevalo Administrator: Capt. Alfred G. Espinosa, PH.D	Arevalo, Iloilo City	1973	Initially opened for the Desk Officer's Course
	John B. Lacson Colleges Foundation – Bacolod Administrator: Engr. Roberto Neal Sobrejuanite	Bacolod,Negros Occidental	1974
	John B. Lacson Foundation Maritime University - Molo Administrator: Mr. Roberto O. Parcia	Molo, Iloilo City	1976	Initially opened for Maritime Engineering
	John B. Lacson Foundation - Training Center Administrator: Capt. Luis G. Evidente	Molo, Iloilo City	1995	JBLF Training Center main office is located at the JBLFMU-Molo campus while the practicum exercises are conducted at Puerto del Mar (PDM), Nueva Valencia, Guimaras.

• RRLS ICT Academy

1. The Harbor Light, John B. Lacson Foundation System Annual Report A.Y. 2009-2010
2. The Harbor Light, John B. Lacson Foundation System 2011 Annual Report

• Official Website of the John B. Lacson Foundation Maritime University Archived 2021-08-02 at the Wayback Machine