Tacloban City – To further enhance the accessibility of training assistance programs for Filipino seafarers, the National Maritime Polytechnic (NMP) and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) held a meeting on July 3, 2025, reaffirming their shared commitment to improving the implementation of the Seafarers Upgrading Program (SUP) and the Skills for Employment Scholarship Program (SESP).
OWWA Administrator Atty. Patricia Yvonne M. Caunan expressed strong support for the initiative, recognizing the need to modernize the long-standing partnership between the two agencies.
“I fully support initiatives like this that aim to uplift and empower our seafarers,” said Administrator Caunan. “Given the evolving demands of the maritime industry, it is high time that we revisit and update our existing partnership with NMP. A renewed agreement will allow us to better align our support programs with the current needs of our seafarers and ensure they continue to thrive in the global maritime arena.”
NMP Executive Director Victor A. Del Rosario also conveyed his appreciation for OWWA’s enduring support, highlighting that OWWA was once a member of the NMP Board of Trustees before NMP transitioned under the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW).
“We are grateful to Administrator Caunan and the OWWA team for their openness to collaboration. This renewed partnership reflects our shared commitment to ensuring that Filipino seafarers remain competitive and well-equipped in today’s rapidly evolving maritime industry,” ED Del Rosario shared. “Through this strengthened cooperation, we hope to make training assistance more accessible and responsive to the needs of our maritime workforce.”
The meeting resulted in an agreement to form a Joint Technical Working Group (TWG) to collaboratively address concerns, refine processes, and finalize the proposed updated Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) that seeks to expand training coverage and improve access to OWWA-funded programs.
OWWA’s Planning and Program Development Division provided key updates during the meeting: (1) all mandatory MARINA-accredited training courses offered by NMP may now be availed under the SUP; (2) seafarers may combine two courses, provided the total assistance does not exceed ₱7,500; and (3) unused balance under the SESP (₱14,500) may be applied to SUP, subject to the assessment and approval of the OWWA-designated Focal Person.
The draft revised MOA is currently under review by OWWA’s Legal Team.
Among the operational concerns raised was the varying turnaround time for the issuance of Notices of Award (NOAs), particularly in high-volume areas such as OWWA-NCR, which processes an average of 30 applications per day. The group discussed the potential of digital solutions and enhanced coordination to help streamline procedures and ensure more efficient service delivery across all regions.
To facilitate a more efficient process, OWWA-NCR has designated its Education and Training Unit as the Focal Person for NMP, with a recommendation for other OWWA Regional Welfare Offices replicate this setup.
This renewed partnership between NMP and OWWA affirms their shared commitment to equipping Filipino seafarers with globally competitive skills and accessible training opportunities. Through joint efforts, both agencies aim to deliver more responsive and efficient support for the country’s maritime workforce.
For more information about NMP programs and services, visit https://nmp.gov.ph, register online at https://register.nmp.gov.ph, access the e-Research Portal at https://research.nmp.gov.ph, and follow NMP on Facebook at https://facebook.com/nmptrainingcenter.