The Maritime Research team of the National Maritime Polytechnic (NMP) conducted Stakeholders Consultative research forum on November 23, 2017 at the City Garden Hotel, Manila which objective is to gather data from the stakeholders and utilize generated data to answer Objective 4 of the study, that is, to propose solutions and recommend actions, including policy of program interventions, for the maritime training system to adequately respond to the Filipino seafarers’ training requirements stipulated in STCW 2010 Manila amendments.

The Stakeholders Consultative research forum will focus on one of the agency’s approved research for 2017, that is “Responding to the Filipino Seafarers’ Training Requirements in the STCW 2010 Manila Amendments, Challenges and Opportunities” which is targeted to be completed by EO December 2017.

Participants of the forum are the respondents of the study and industry stakeholders particularly representatives of maritime training institutions, government agencies – POEA to include Deployment and Adjudication Office or the office in POEA where processing of crew orders is done; MARINA – STCW Office, SIRB, Domestic Shipping, Manpower Development Service; and maritime organization and associations – PAMTCI.

The conduct of research is one of the mandate of NMP, in which research output are utilized to formulate policies and regulations for the improvement of the maritime manpower sector of the industry. It is also mandated to conduct researches on the latest maritime technology.

Further, the NMP is on its way in developing an online Maritime Research Information System that will cater completed research study posting, data gathering from interested contributors and solicitation of topics for researchable areas, facilitate linkages between and among stakeholders and concerned maritime agencies both for the private and the government entity.

Aside from its research function, the NMP continues to upgrade its facilities and provide maritime trainings required pursuant to the Standards of Training, Certification, and Watch keeping 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.

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