Tacloban City – Consistent with its mandate to conduct researches for the maritime industry, the National Maritime Polytechnic (NMP), through its Maritime Research and Development Division (MRDD), organized a Maritime Research Forum on 22 June 2022 at the AMOSUP Convention Hall, Intramuros Manila.
With the aim to validate the results and further enhance research reports, NMP presented the outputs of its four (4) completed researches in CY 2021, namely: (a) Managing the Threats of COVID-19 to Seafarers’ Health & Well-being: Response of the Philippine Maritime Industry (Phase 2); (b) Philippine Domestic Maritime Industry’s Compliance with Maritime Labor Convention (MLC), 2006: Challenges of Implementation; (c) Issues and Concerns in the Philippine Non-Ratification of STCW-F; and (d) Standardization and Updating of the Philippine Maritime Manpower Factbook 2020 & 2021.
The activity also sought to elicit discussion and exchange of ideas on the implications of the research findings to policy and program review and development towards improvement of the country’s maritime manpower development.
In his Keynote Speech, Usec. Randy B. Escolango expressed his admiration to the contributions and accomplishments of NMP despite the challenges brought to its shores. “NMP have shown not only organizational resilience, but more importantly, the capacity to make itself continually relevant and productive to the maritime industry, thus, was able to claim its place in the forefront of developing the nation’s maritime workforce”, he shared.
The forum also served as a platform where NMP Research Agenda CY 2022-2024 was communicated to the industry stakeholders. Inputs were solicited to ensure that researches to be undertaken by NMP are relevant and responsive to the existing and emerging needs of the maritime industry.
“We give much value to this Research Agenda as we take into account that any intervention or program should be founded on relevant data and research to ensure that these are what our seafarers really need. We believe that any strategic intervention that NMP wishes to implement to enhance the comparative advantage of our Filipino seafarers should also embrace your views and opinions.” NMP Executive Director Joel B. Maglunsod disclosed during his Welcome Message.
NMP Deputy Executive Director Mayla N. Macadawan thanked the presence of all the attendees and collaborators which is a great manifestation of the collective concern and commitment to the welfare and development of the country’s maritime manpower. She also emphasized the need to strengthen the partnership and collaboration of all maritime stakeholders, including in the conduct of research. “We look forward to a strengthened partnership with everyone ꟷ in the maritime education and training sector, shipping and crewing sector, maritime organizations together with the government agencies”, she said.
Fifty-three (53) industry stakeholders composed of representatives from government agencies, maritime and training (MET) institutions, higher education institutions & state university, maritime organizations, overseas & domestic shipping companies and media outlets attended the said forum.
Aside from its research function, the NMP continues to upgrade its facilities and provide maritime trainings required pursuant to the Standards of Training, Certification, and Watch keeping 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.