NMP Holds Series of Lectures-Symposia on Maritime Week

(Upper Photo) NMP seafarer-trainees participate in the series of Lectures-Symposia conducted on 25 September 2018 at the Room 109, NMP Training Building (Lower Photos) Mr. Angelo E. Remandaban, Family Welfare Officer of OWWA (right), Ms. Heidi A. Hosillos, Overseas Workers Welfare Officer II of OWWA (center), and Mr. Andrew D. Soledad, Information Technology Officer I and Data Protection Officer of NMP (right) conducting their lectures

In line with 23rd National Maritime Week Celebration, the National Maritime Polytechnic (NMP) conducted series of lectures-symposia on 25 September 2018 at the NMP Room 109, Training Building, Cabalawan, Tacloban City.

The lectures-symposia were attended by ninety-eight (98) participants composed of NMP seafarer-trainees. Invited Resource Persons were Ms. Heidi A. Hosillos, Overseas Workers Welfare Officer II and Mr. Angelo E. Remandaban, Family Welfare Officer both from the Overseas Worker Welfare Administration (OWWA) Regional Office No. 8 who conducted “Lecture on Financial Literacy for Seafarers”.

The lecture was aimed to provide guidance to seafarer-trainees in ensuring that their finances are handled and managed well. It also intended to create awareness and appreciation to the participants on the importance of financial planning and the various savings and investment plans suggestions and ideas.

“Cut-down expenses relating to the things you want and retain expenses relating to the things you need” said Ms. Hosillos. She also encouraged the seafarers to avail of the OWWA’s Seafarers’ Upgrading Program (SUP) which is in a form of financial assistance. OWWA will assume the costs of training and the beneficiaries will get to choose their preferred training course that are accredited by Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) and Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA).

Likewise, in order to raise awareness among seafarers of the risks of maritime cyber-attacks and how to avoid them, NMP also conducted a “Symposium on Cyber Security for Seafarers”. Discussant was NMP’s Information Technology Officer I, Mr. Andrew Soledad.

Mr. Soledad stressed that implementing effective security measures should be considered as a priority issue considering that vessels, ports, and facilities across the global maritime community are increasingly dependent on cyber systems and in order to ensure that the systems, networks, and programs are protected from cyber-attacks, which may pose significant security, safety and financial risks to shipping and offshore operations.

Likewise, as the NMP’s Data Privacy Officer, Mr. Soledad also provided “Lecture on Data Privacy Act”. Salient points of Republic Act 10173, otherwise known as the Data Privacy Act of 2012 was discussed. Said act seeks to protect the fundamental human right of privacy, of communication while ensuring free flow of information to promote innovation and growth.

“In this digital age, the Act is necessary and important precaution to protect all forms of information, be it private, personal, or sensitive, Mr. Soledad disclosed.

The lectures-symposia were conducted being one of the performance commitments contained in the NMP 2018 Office Performance Commitment Review (OPCR).

Meanwhile, 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.nm.gov.ph) and access the e-Research Information System Portal which is designed to gather inputs for NMP’s research, dissemination of NMP completed researches and other articles pertaining to maritime research.

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.