Experienced and aspiring seafarer female trainees avail of NMP’s free training and dormitory fee from March 1-31, 2021.
TACLOBAN CITY – In response to the resonant call of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) for empowering women in the maritime industry, the National Maritime Polytechnic (NMP) being a gender and development (GAD) advocate and a maritime training and research institution, continues to organize month-long activities for its trainees and employees in observance of the National Women’s Month Celebration (NWMC) CY 2021 with the theme “We Make Change Work for Women”.
In honor of the historical contributions of Filipino women of every class, religion and ethnic background to the growth and strength of the nation, NMP put-up an NWMC Display Booth at the Administration Building lobby where it exhibits “Today in HERSTORY.
NMP likewise portrayed “Juana Says”, a collection of inspirational quotes from empowered and successful Filipino women from different fields or profession including NMP women leaders.
As a way of giving recognition and appreciation to women seafarers, NMP offered “Serbisyo Para Kay Juana”, wherein female trainees who enroll in one (1) of the NMP regular training courses within the month of March 2021 are entitled to a FREE TUITION and DORMITORY FEES. Female trainees who already paid for their fees will be given a coupon representing their entitlement to free training and dormitory fees should they wish to enroll in another training course within the year or until December 2021.
Said initiative is in line with the recommendation of the Philippine Commission on Women (PCW) for government agencies that offer direct services and other transactions with the public to offer privileges like freebies and discounts on any chosen dates within the month of March.
Additionally, with the aim of addressing the gender gap and discrimination in the maritime sector, NMP submitted in CY 2019 its proposed inclusions in the Bill on Magna Carta of Filipino Seafarers, the provisions on Empowerment of Filipino Women Seafarers. Said proposal was considered and now included in the draft bill which recently hurdled third (3rd) reading at the House of Representatives.
Playing of All-Women Cast Lupang Hinirang during Flag Raising Ceremony
Other NMP activities include playing of the All-Women Cast Lupang Hinirang video during flag raising ceremonies; wearing of anything purple on all the Mondays of March; webinar on Mental Health Care; putting-up of photo booth; production and distribution of Information/Education/Communication (IEC) materials and collaterals; film showing of video clips on women empowerment; online games / trivia’s about Juana; and uploading of the official logo and other NWMC advocacy materials in the NMP website and facebook account.
The NMWC is pursuant to Presidential Proclamation No. 224 and 227 s. 1988, and Republic Act. No. 6949 s. 1990 which provide for the yearly observance of the month of March as National Women’s Month and March 8 as National Women’s Day.
As a staunch advocate of empowering women specially in the maritime industry, NMP commits to continue streamlining gender and development in the implementation of its core functions in maritime training and research.