Cebu MITC invites NMP to its dialogue

By National Maritime Polytechnic
July 12, 2019

TACLOBAN CITY – In order to address safety problems at sea, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Regional Office No. VII in coordination with the Maritime Industry Tripartite Council (MITC) invited the National Maritime Polytechnic (NMP) to present its programs and services during its General Membership Meeting held at the 2GO Building, Pier 4, North Reclamation Area, Cebu City last 09 July 2019.

Quoting from the opening remarks of the DOLE RO No. VII Regional Director, Salome O. Siaton, “The meeting intends to add knowledge on preventive safety measures at sea, making sure that the health and safety of the employees in the maritime sector be of great importance.”

Director Siaton likewise mentioned that to avoid similar incident which happened recently wherein a cargo ship named M/V Eva Mary Grace capsized while docked at the Solid Earth Development Corp. (SEDC) Port in San Fernando, Cebu City, NMP was invited to present its programs and services designed to equip and upgrade the skills and competence of seafarer-employees in various manning and shipping agencies when it comes to safety practices.

Also present during the event was DOLE Undersecretary Renato L. Ebarle who stressed his support for the activity. He also emphasized the importance of complying with the salient features of the new Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Law going hand in hand with the training offerings of the NMP.

“The National Maritime Polytechnic is the only government owned maritime training and research institution and what will be presented later on will be beneficial not only for the NMP but also for the stakeholders because the NMP can upgrade your training skills with less enrollment fee for the seafarers in the international and domestic shipping,” USec. Ebarle said.

Underscoring the role of the NMP to the maritime labor workforce and the community as a whole, NMP Executive Director, Joel B. Maglunsod stated that the NMP offers what is most beneficial to our Filipino seafarers. As part of the advocacy on poverty-zone free program thrust of the agency, motorboat handlers are also being trained by NMP to improve their basic safety skills.

“In coordination with Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) there will be a group from the NMP who will proceed to Mindoro next week as requested by the DOLE Regional Office No. IV-B thru its OIC-Regional Director Joel M. Gonzales, to provide training to our fisherfolks whose vessel was hit by the Chinese fishing boat. NMP will expose them to new techniques in personal survival, personal safety and social responsibility, typhoon awareness, and marine safety requirements”, Executive Director Maglunsod pronounced.

During the said activity, NMP programs and services were presented by the Head of NMP’s Curriculum Development Section (CDS), Capt. Chito A. Go.

The event concluded with the detailed discussion of the Republic Act No. 11058 or the OSH Law, an act Strengthening Compliance with Occupational Safety and Health Standards and Providing Penalties for Violations Thereof and the Expanded Maternity Leave provisions for Private Sectors, introduced by the DOLE Bureau of Working Conditions Director IV, Ma. Teresita S. Cucueco.

The activity was participated in by manning and shipping companies in Cebu City namely, Lite Shipping, Trans-Asia, Gothong Southern, 2GO Group Inc., Oceanjet, Avega Bros. Integrated Shipping Inc., and Key West Shipping.

Meanwhile, NMP also regularly conducts maritime studies to come up with researches that would serve as a basis for policy formulation and program development for the improvement of the labor work force in the maritime industry.

Those interested in NMP research undertakings may visit the NMP website (www.nmp.gov.ph) and access the e-Research Information System Portal which is designed to disseminate NMP completed researches, present the Research Agenda and engage the industry stakeholders to collaborate in the research activities.

For more information about NMP trainings, viewers may visit the agency’s Facebook page (www.facebook.com/nmptrainingcenter) where all related information on NMP trainings is available.