TACLOBAN CITY – The National Maritime Polytechnic (NMP), being the country’s premier and sole government-owned maritime training and research center, has strengthened its partnership with the Philippine Coast Guard-Maritime Safety and Services Command (PCG-MSSC) through a virtual signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) for the conduct of IMO Model Courses for PCG held last 18 October 2021.

NMP being an authorized provider of Professional Development Courses (PDC) by the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA), has been collaborating with PCG since 2003 to ensure that the prescribed standards of competence are delivered to the maritime fleet specially to those responsible for the education and trainings of seafarers.

The programs include the Training Course for Instructors (IMO MC 6.09); the Assessment, Examination and Certification of Seafarers (IMO MC 3.12); and Training Course for Simulator Instructors and Assessors (IMO MC 6.10). In accordance with the policies, rules and international standards and practices in maritime education and training, these courses are conducted to provide a venue and medium to review and improve current instructional training techniques.

“These engagements will continue as part of the strengthening of service to seafarers and for the development of the maritime industry in general,” NMP’s Executive Director Joel B. Maglunsod said.

PCG-MSSC, Coast Guard VADM Artemio Abu expressed the need to educate their people as the coast guard is expanding and fast-growing, hence, the partnership with NMP is vital for the enhancement and updating of the knowledge and skills of their maritime instructors and trainers.

Significantly, aside from this partnership with PCG-MSSC, NMP also has an ongoing engagement with PCG-CGS Batangas for the conduct of their training on PDC.

Meanwhile, NMP continues to implement the online and blended modes of training, as well as face-to-face trainings exclusively to the seafarer-trainees residing within Eastern Visayas, with the observation of the MARINA approved Post-Enhanced Community Quarantine Operational Plan and other health and safety protocols as required by the Department of Health (DOH), Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), and Local Government Unit (LGU).

As part of its mandate, NMP also undertakes research studies which are accessible through the NMP e-Research Portal at https://research.nmp.gov.ph/. For more information and updates about NMP trainings, interested stakeholders may visit the NMP website at www.nmp.gov.ph/ or https://register.nmp.gov.ph/ to register online, while NMP’s ongoing and completed researches may be accessed through our e-Research.