NMP women employees learn self-defense

By National Maritime Polytechnic
October 31, 2018

TACLOBAN CITY – Taking into account the vulnerability of women to be exposed to dangerous situations such as sexual abuses, stalking, and harassment, among others, has made self-defense an essential priority for women today in order to protect themselves against these threatening situations.

As part of the capacity-building activities on Gender and Development (GAD) advocacy and empowerment, the National Maritime Polytechnic (NMP) conducted Basic Self-Defense to its women personnel to equip them with strategies to adopt under different adverse circumstances.

The activity aimed to increase the knowledge of the participants on understanding and adopting personal safety habits and learn to develop some basic self-defense techniques and tactics that may help them be more aware, prepared, and ready for any situation that may occur in everyday life on a given day.

Twenty-two (22) women personnel initially participated in the said training program held every Friday afternoon, which commenced on 12 October 2018 at the NMP Gymnasium. The last session is scheduled on 09 November 2018.

NMP tapped the expertise of FO3 Anthony Alvin S. Duran, Fire and Arson Investigator of the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) RO 8. FO3 Duran is a 2nd Dan Black Belt of the Philippine Black Cat Karate-do Inc. (Okinawan ShorinRyu). He is affiliated with the Philippine Karate-do League (PKL).

The main goal of the said undertaking was to strengthen women’s capacity to defend themselves against potential attacks, creating a strong mindset that could allow them to react sensibly in every situation, and help them feel safer and more confident.

Further, the conduct of the activity was also in line with Republic Act 9710 or Magna Carta of Women, a comprehensive women’s human rights law that seeks to eliminate discrimination against women by recognizing, protecting, fulfilling and promoting the rights of Filipino women, especially those in marginalized sector.

Meanwhile, NMP continues to upgrade its facilities and provide maritime trainings required pursuant to the STCW Convention as amended in 2010 including value-adding courses towards improving the qualifications of Filipino seafarers for their employment acceptability and enhanced competitiveness. It also regularly conducts maritime studies to come up with policies for the improvement of the manpower sector of the 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 gather inputs for NMP’s research, dissemination of NMP completed researches and other articles pertaining to maritime research.

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 are available.