156 motorboat handlers /operators /fisherfolks receive free training from NMP

Press Release
June 8, 2018

TACLOBAN CITY – The National Maritime Polytechnic (NMP), as part of its poverty-free zone program thrust, conducted for free, the Basic Safety Training for Motorboat Handlers /Operators /Fisher folks with Typhoon Preparedness (MBHOF) to one hundred fifty-six (156) motorboat handlers /operators /fisher folk’s participants on 04-05 June 2018 at the Judgebar Restobar, Victory, Abuyog, Leyte. The training was held in partnership with the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) Regional Office VIII.

The training was conducted taking in cognizant of the fact that maritime incidents and loss of lives are sometimes attributed to accidents involving marginalized vessels and motorboats, thus, the NMP, PCG, MARINA R.O VIII, and the local government of Abuyog realized the need to optimize its resources and harmonize its efforts to enhance the basic safety skills of the residents of Abuyog – motorboat handlers /operators and fisher folks to promote safety of life at sea.

The Basic Safety Training for MBHOF is aimed at improving the basic safety skills of local motorboat operators and fisher folks and expose them to new techniques in Personal Survival, Fire Prevention and Firefighting, Elementary First Aid and Personal Safety and Social Responsibility. Other salient topics are Rules of the Road, Typhoon Awareness and Marine Safety Requirements.

This was the first batch of graduates produced by NMP on MBHOF this year. Coordination with other LGUs in the region is currently being made for possible collaboration, thereby expanding the reach of beneficiaries for this program.

The MBHOF training is in conformity with the NMP Course Plan as approved by the Board of Trustees on 19 March 2007.

Meanwhile, NMP continues to upgrade its facilities and provide maritime trainings 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.