The National Maritime Polytechnic (NMP) participated in the Job and Business Fair 2018 spearheaded by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Regional Office No. VIII on 01 May 2018 at the Tacloban Convention Center (Astrodome).

With the theme “Pagpupugay sa Manggagawang Pilipino: Dangal ng Lahi, Kabalikat sa Progresibong Pagbabago!”, DOLE RO VIII commemorates the 116^th Labor Day celebration in convergence with the Department of  Trade and Industry (DTI),  Local Government Unit (LGU)  of Tacloban City, members of the DOLE Regional Coordinating Council (DOLE RCC) and Region 8 Labor Management Cooperation League Inc. (RELAMACOP).

NMP was one of the several participating government line agencies that posted job vacancies and accepted applications from hundreds of job seekers who flocked to the Tacloban Convention Center.  NMP posted its two (2) vacant plantilla positions: one (1) Training Specialist II and one (1) Training Specialist III.

The qualifications standards for the Training Specialist II (SG15) position are (1) graduate of a baccalaureate degree relevant to the job; (2) 1 year relevant experience; (3) 4 hours relevant training; and (4) career service (professional) second level eligibility.

For Training Specialist III (SG 18) position, the qualifications standards include (1) graduate of a baccalaureate degree relevant to the job; (2) 2 years relevant experience; (3) 8 hours relevant training; and (4) career service (professional) second level eligibility.

These two positions also require an additional special qualification of at least 1-year shipboard experience.

The celebration kicked-off with a Zumba fitness activity followed by a Eucharistic Mass and commemorative program.  DOLE RO VIII OIC Assistant Regional Director, Atty. Cecilio I. Baleña welcomed all the participants and job seekers in the said event.

“As we all know, today is a holiday and most people are taking the chance to spend time with their loved ones.  Thank you for sparing your precious time just to celebrate this meaningful occasion with us”, said OIC ARD Baleña.

During the program, several LGUs were awarded livelihood grants under the DOLE Integrated Livelihood Program.  The grateful recipients of the livelihood assistance included among others, Gandara and Catbalogan of Samar province, Gen. MacArthur of Eastern Samar and Leyte, Hindang, Kananga, and Tabango of Leyte province.

Likewise, DTI Regional Director Cynthia Nierras delivered her Trabaho, Negosyo, Kabuhayan (TNK)-inspired message underlining the importance of appreciating one’s job no matter how huge and small it is. Solidarity messages were also given by Mr. Bellesedaize C. Acaso, President of Southern Leyte Electric Cooperative (SOLECO) representing the labor sector, Mr. Allan I. Laniba, General Manager of Don Orestes Romualdez Electric Cooperative, Inc. (DORELCO) and Leyte  Electric Cooperative, Inc.  (LEYECO III) representing the management sector and Ms. Pinky Brosas, HRMO of LGU Tacloban City representing the government sector.

As part of the Agency’s effort of strengthening its visibility especially within the region, NMP also took the opportunity in marketing its training courses and services during the said activity.  Agency fact sheets and prints of Annual Master Training Schedule (AMTS) were distributed to job seekers and other government agencies.

Meanwhile, NMP continues to upgrade its facilities and provide maritime training required pursuant to the Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping 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.nm.gov.ph) and its Facebook page (www.facebook.com/nmptrainingcenter) where all related information on NMP training are available.