NMP : Cultivating Seafarers as Entrepreneurs

TACLOBAN CITY – In line with its social responsibility and mission on solving unemployment problems of the country especially when there are no shipboard deployments available for the seafarers, the National Maritime Polytechnic (NMP) conducted a seminar-orientation called “SEAMANPRENEUR” on 30 October 2019 at Room 109, NMP Training Building, Cabalawan, Tacloban City.

The activity is aimed to educate seafarer-trainees on financial security in achieving financial Independence. It also intends to create awareness and appreciation to the participants on the importance of financial planning and the various savings and investment plans, suggestions, and ideas.

Consequently, the said financial literacy activity is in consideration with the high earning capacity of the Filipino seafarers and their lack of strong business foundation and concrete knowledge on how to start their business ideas.

“Ang orientation seminar na ito ay magsisilbing gabay ng ating mga marinong Pilipino upang mas mapabuti ang kanilang mga buhay at magkaroon ng hanapbuhay sakaling iwan na nila ang seafarer career at manatili ng makapiling ang kanilang mga mahal sa buhay. At sa ibang marino na gustong mag negosyo o gustong may maiwang karagdagang pagkakakitaan habang sila ay nasa laot, ang kaalaman ding ito ay kapakipakinabang”, SAID nmp Executive Director Joel B. Maglunsod during his Welcome Message.

To help potential and existing seafarer and entrepreneur on their entrepreneurial needs and capacitate them on basic principles and concepts of business, Mr. Christian B. Soledad, Negosyo Center Business Counselor of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) discussed about Entrepreneurial Mind Setting and Spotting Business Opportunities.

Likewise, considering the fast paced technology that affects almost all activities and transactions through the use of the internet as platform in promoting business products and services, Mr. John Kenneth P. Telmo and Ms. Alathea D. Mariveles from Yarih and Telmo Solutions talked about the Importance of E-Commerce.

Mr. Mark Daniel A. Baricawa of Hypernet Internet and Business Solutions, Inc. conducted a product demonstration on WizSpot “Wireless Anywhere”, the first and the only Piso WiFi and Piso E-loading with vendo and over the counter web and mobile application.

“This is our advocacy to our seafarers that they make use of their funds wisely. I hope you have learned something from this activity” Ms. Grace Marie T. Ayaso, NMP Head of the Maritime Research and Development Division disclosed.

The activity was attended by ninety (90) participants composed by NMP seafarer-trainee, employees and members of the Philippine Coast Guard – Coast Guard District Eastern Visayas.

Meanwhile, in its sound efforts to fulfill and realize its mandate, NMP continues to upgrade its facilities and provide maritime trainings required pursuant to the 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 in NMP research undertakings may visit the NMP website (www.nmp.gov.ph) and access the e-Research Information System Portal which is designed to disseminate NMP completed researches, present the Research Agenda and engage the industry stakeholders to collaborate in the research activities.

For more information about NMP trainings viewers may visit the agency’s facebook page (www.facebook.com/nmptrainingcenter) where all related information on NMP trainings are available.

Further, NMP encourages OWWA registered seafarers to avail of the NMP-OWWA (Overseas Workers Welfare Administration) Seafarers’ Upgrading Program (SUP) and Skills for Employment Scholarship Program (SESP) which entitles the beneficiary to receive financial assistance for training costs from the OWWA.