TACLOBAN CITY – The National Maritime Polytechnic (NMP) unveils today the 100-days countdown marker at the NMP Training Complex grounds in line with the upcoming NMP’s 41st Founding Anniversary on 01 May 2019 with the theme: “NMP @ 41: Enhancing Accessibility and Ensuring Global Relevancy Through Digital Transformation in Maritime Training and Research”.

Being on the brink of technical revolution, the theme was conceptualized by the Maritime Research and Development Division (MRDD), the host division for this year’s celebration. NMP has to be ready to take a paradigmatic shift and embrace a world of disruptive change, subjecting its structures to the levels of transparency and efficiency along with its vision of being the country’s leader in maritime training and research.

The activity started with a mystery game. In order to reveal the year’s theme, all NMP personnel were enjoined to participate in finding the six (6) phrases which were hidden inside the NMP premises. Lucky finders were given one (1) minute to puzzle out the theme and were awarded with prizes.

Ms. Grace Marie T. Ayaso, Head, Maritime Research and Development Division (MRDD) in her message stressed the significance of the anniversary celebration and the contributions of various persons in the creation of NMP.

“Why do we celebrate anniversaries? Why do we give time to plan out and it is always a year-long celebration that we have? We celebrate to have SENSE OF HISTORY. We recall the good deeds, the achievements as well as the joys and sorrows that we had, we also recall what happened to us 5 years ago when Typhoon Yolanda struck NMP. It is also a time when we honor people who have been with us and who made their lives part of NMP and who influenced us. People who are instrumental in the creation of NMP” said Ms. Ayaso.

She also added, “Another reason why we celebrate anniversaries is our SENSE OF REMEMBRANCE. It is when we celebrate that we remember who we are, what we are now and where will we be in next years of our existence. NMP has already been threatened by many mergers/ transfers but we are still here with the DOLE and we are standing STRONG. And in this year’s theme, digitalization/automation is already in our doorstep so we need to address these issues, challenges, and opportunities. We have lined-up several programs and projects that will in synch us to the digitalization age. Hopefully, NMP’s light will shine BRIGHT and BRIGHTER and BRIGHTEST in the coming years.”

Embarking on digital transformation, NMP is undertaking the following:

• Conversion of Gender Sensitivity Training for Seafarers (GSTS) to an e-Learning Platform/Format
• Acquisition of Full Mission Engine Room Simulator
• Development of Maritime Research and Information Portal
• Development of Major Frontline Systems (e-Research System, e-Library System, Express Registration, e-Verification System and Executive Information System)

Identified activities are aimed to enhance NMP’s accessibility and ensure its global relevancy as it fulfills its mandate of providing quality trainings to Filipino seafarers and valuable researches to the maritime industry.

NMP was established on 01 May 1978 by virtue of Presidential Decree 1369 as the government’s response to the immediate and dire need of updating and upgrading the capability and qualifications of marine licensed officers and other marine graduates for their increased acceptability for employment in international and domestic maritime fleets. It became an attached agency of the Department of Labor and Employment in 1987 through Executive Order No. 126.

NMP began its operations by offering the Basic Messman Course. It pioneered in the conduct of upgrading, specialized, and safety courses to merchant marine officers and ratings and initiated the development of training programs for trainers aimed at enhancing their instructional and assessment skills. Likewise, together with international organizations, NMP developed other courses that address psychosocial issues in the maritime industry which are now implemented in maritime schools and private training centers. As of today, NMP offers a total of thirty-three (33) training courses.

Apart from its training operations, NMP also conducts industry researches towards improving the Philippine maritime manpower sector with its findings adopted as inputs in the formulation of maritime education and labor and employment policies.

For more information about NMP training and research programs, viewers may visit the agency’s website www.nmp.gov.ph or its Facebook page (www.facebook.com/nmptrainingcenter) where all related information on NMP trainings are available.

NMP also encourages seafarers to avail of the NMP-OWWA (Overseas Workers Welfare Administration) Seafarers’ Upgrading Program (SUP) which entitles the beneficiary to receive financial assistance for training costs from the OWWA.