NMP partners with LGUs in EV in the conduct of Basic Safety Training for Motorboat Handlers / Operators and Fisherfolks

By National Maritime Polytechnic
August 8, 2019

TACLOBAN CITY – With the noted occurrence of many maritime incidents and loss of lives of the local motorboat operators and fisherfolks in the course of carrying out their livelihoods and with the Agency’s aim of promoting safety of life at sea, the National Maritime Polytechnic (NMP) partners with the interested local government units (LGUs) of the Eastern Visayas in the conduct of Basic Safety Training for Motorboat Handlers/Operators and Fisherfolks (BSTMHOF).

The 3-day training includes topics on Personal Survival Techniques (PST), Fire Prevention and Fire Fighting (FPFF), Elementary First Aid (EFA), Personal Safety and Social Responsibility (PSSR), Rules of the Road, Marine Pollution Prevention and Environmental Protection, STD/HIV/AIDS Prevention in the Maritime Sector (SHAPIMS), Prevention of Alcohol and Drug Abuse in the Maritime Sector (PADAMS), Marine Safety Regulations and Typhoon Preparedness. However, the modules / topics may be modified dependent on the knowledge, skill, and attitude needed by the participants.

NMP Head of the Information and Marketing Section, Mr. Andrew D. Soledad together with NMP Instructor, Mr. Telesforo M. Sambalilo presented NMP’s proposal on the conduct of the said training to the local government of Ormoc City during the Public Safety and Disaster Management and Laws and Ordinances Joint Committee Meeting held last 31 July 2019.

The proposal underwent the committees’ extensive review and after all concerns were answered by the team, it gained the committee’s endorsement to the Sangguniang Panglungsod (SP) with minor amendments. It will further be discussed during the SP session slated on 13 August 2019 and a resolution will be issued granting authority to the Ormoc City Mayor to enter into a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the NMP, Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) Region 8, and the Philippine Coast Guard - Coast Guard District Eastern Visayas (PCG-CGDEV).

Also present during the meeting were Mr. Santiago M. Acera of MARINA RO 8, Lt. Christopher Michael Angelo Dulnuan of PCG Coast Guard Station (CGS) Western Leyte, PO2 Jaime M. Los Baños of PCG CGS Ormoc City, and the chairpersons of the different fisherfolk associations of Ormoc City.

Under the MOA, the LGU will be responsible for identifying and inviting participants, providing the training venue, meals and snacks, and submitting the necessary qualifying documents such as medical certificate and 1.5 x 1.5 ID pictures of the participants.

NMP, as the training provider, designs the training course tailored to the training needs of the participants in consultation with external entities. It also provides support staff to assist in the duration of the activity, as well as the necessary handouts, supplies and materials, and issue a Certificate of Completion to the complying participants.

The certificate issued by NMP is a requirement of MARINA prior to the issuance of Certificate of Marine Profession (CMP) such as boat captain license, motorman license, and marine diesel mechanic license. These licenses are in turn requirements before a seafarer can go on board passenger or cargo motor bancas / motorboats and even commercial fishing vessels.

The project began in the 1990s when the NMP developed the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) Course for fishermen as an extension service. It was initially designed for deep-sea fishermen in Albuera, Leyte, as more and more fisherfolks were becoming involved in the deep-sea fishing thus exposing them to hazards at sea. The training was then extended to representatives from the Barangay Coastal Resource Management Council (BCRMC).

LGUs that are interested on the said training may email us at info@nmp.gov.ph or call or send a message to Mr. Jay Arr Bryan U. Margallo, Administrative Officer IV at mobile no. 0926-135-8823 for more details.