TACLOBAN CITY – The National Maritime Polytechnic (NMP) conducted press briefing at the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) last 27th October 10: 00 o’clock in the morning dubbed as “panginsayud ha PIA – A Kapihan with PIA & FRIENDS” program of the agency.

Executive Director Romulo V. Bernardes, in his opening statement mentioned that the NMP is bounded to inform the public of the updates of its programs and projects as far as its training and research is concerned. He also emphasized the ongoing training on Basic Safety Training for Motorboat Handlers /Fisherman Operators with Typhoon Preparedness (MBHOF) held at Brgy. Punod, San Isidro, Leyte. The Director quoted that “The program was originally a corporate social responsibility, but somehow going to the fact that there is really a need for the fisher folks to undergo training due to the emerging tourism in region VIII”.

In addition, Atty. Ruben Maceda, the Head of Administrative, Financial and Management Division (AFMD) announced that the budget of NMP for the year 2018 was already approved. Moreover, the agency received the GSIS insurance proceeds from Typhoon Yolanda damages in the amount of Forty Million (P 40,000,000.00) pesos. The proceeds are intended to be used for the construction of the wharf extension and upgrading of maritime training equipment.

Miss Elena Santos, the Head of the Maritime Research Section (MRS) and the officer in-charge of the Maritime Training and Development Division (MRDD), talked about the design of the training on MBHOF. “the training was originally designed for Fisher Folks as part of the poverty free zone program of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) considering that NMP is an attached agency of the DOLE. She also made mention about the research conducted by the agency particularly on the tracer study of NMP graduates with respect to the skills utilization and employability rate. She also added that the study shows that there is a high employability rate.

Director Alicia Nicart, of the PIA asked the key officials of NMP about how ready is the agency for the ASEAN Integration, its preparations and even its move towards sudden foreign tourist flock to our country. Director Bernardes, stated that even foreign nationals do expressed their interests in training at NMP due to the quality of its training, but the charter of the agency is to train Filipino Seafarers exclusively. In addition, Atty. Maceda emphasized that NMP is always a step ahead as compared to even the ASEAN nations.

Meanwhile, NMP continues to upgrade its facilities and provide maritime trainings required pursuant to the Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW) Convention as amended in 2010 including value-adding courses towards improving the qualifications of Filipino seafarers for their employment acceptability and enhanced competitiveness. It also regularly conducts maritime studies to come up with policies for the improvement of the manpower sector of the industry.

Those interested to take NMP training programs may visit the NMP website www.nmp.gov.ph and its Facebook page (www.facebook.com/nmptrainingcenter) where all related information on NMP trainings are available

ads