Tacloban City – To kick off the momentous 44th Founding Anniversary, the National Maritime Polytechnic (NMP), unveiled its 100-day Countdown Marker on 21 January 2022 through a simple ceremony held at the Administration Building of NMP, and was streamed live through Facebook.

This year’s celebration will be hosted by the Maritime Research and Development Division (MRDD) anchored on the theme: “NMP@44: Navigating Through Current Challenges, Embracing Transformations in Maritime Training and Research and Fostering Resiliency and Excellence in Filipino Seafarers,”. The theme symbolizes the dauntless efforts exerted by NMP to carry-out and sustain the delivery of its mandates even in the midst of various setbacks, and the several strategic adjustments incorporated in order to conduct quality trainings and relevant researches to continuously develop and produce Filipino seafarers of international caliber.

In reference, NMP was created through Presidential Decree 1369, signed on May 1, 1978 geared at providing better employment opportunities in the domestic and international shipping for Filipino seafarers through more work-oriented training programs.

Through the years, the agency was able to establish strong alliances with industry stakeholders, both local and abroad, to strengthen its competence and provide quality service to its clienteles – the Filipino seafarers. Alongside the continues upgrading of its training facilities and equipment, NMP also adopted to the new normal with the implementation of online and blended trainings. While significant milestones were also achieved with the conduct of maritime researches, among which resulted to the crafting of new training courses. NMP also developed and enhanced the NMP e-Research portal which helped engage maritime stakeholders to collaborate with the various NMP research activities.

In his message, Executive Director Joel B. Maglunsod recalled NMP’s milestones that brought the agency at the forefront of maritime training and research, recognizing the valuable contributions of all stakeholders and partner agencies, the support of the Philippine government, and the collective efforts of everyone which were crucial to attain the goals and overcome the storms.

“NMP takes pride that over the years, we are able to lead the country’s efforts of grooming all of you to become the choice seafarers in the highly competitive arena of seafarers in the whole world,” ED Maglunsod expressed.

During the program, NMP also announced the winners of the “Ano Ang Kwentong NMP Mo?” contest showcasing stories of the most unforgettable moments in NMP posted by the trainees, trainers and employees in the Agency’s Facebook page which commenced on 19 January 2022 and ended on 21 January 2022. The entries were judged based on the number of reactions and the Wow factor. Moreover, in line with its 44th Anniversary Celebration, there will be several activities which will be organized and spearheaded by the host division of NMP.

For more updates and stories, visit the NMP website at www.nmp.gov.ph/. Interested stakeholders may log-in to https://register.nmp.gov.ph/ to view NMP trainings and register online, while NMP’s ongoing and completed researches may be accessed through the e-Research Portal at https://research.nmp.gov.ph/.