Executive
Director Maglunsod assumes NMP leadership
By
National Maritime
Polytechnic
February 8, 2019
TACLOBAN CITY – The
National Maritime Polytechnic (NMP), a premier government-owned
maritime training and research institution, moves into transition of
leadership as Executive Director Joel B. Maglunsod takes the helm of
the Agency’s directorship effective 01 February 2019 with the
issuance of Certification of Assumption of Duty on the same date.
The turn-over of NMP flag
and the Symbolic Key took place in the morning of 04 February 2019,
right after the flag raising ceremony inside the NMP Administration
Building, Cabalawan, Tacloban City. The NMP flag symbolizes the
assumption of leadership while the Symbolic Key stands for the
authority and accountability that comes with the holding of office
as Executive Director of the NMP.
During the ceremony,
Deputy Executive Director III, Mayla N. Macadawan who assumed the
functions and responsibilities as the NMP Officer-In-Charge by
virtue of DOLE Administrative Order No. 35, s. 2019 dated 04
February 2019, expressed her confidence that the new NMP ED would be
able to steer the Agency in pursuit to the delivery of its mandate
and functions.
“During my very short
stint as NMP Officer-In-Charge, I am very happy to help and assist
NMP in the way that I can. Though I had very limited powers during
those times but somehow we were able to surpass whatever challenges
that we have encountered” said DED Macadawan.
She also expressed her
gratitude to former NMP ED, Dr. Romulo V. Bernardes, who resigned on
23 November 2018, for mentoring her and for all his contributions to
the Agency.
“I always say that family
is not always about the bloodline, it is about someone who hold your
hands in times of need. In NMP, we are always treating each other as
a family. I am really lucky that I was able to work here in a short
span of time as the NMP Officer-In-Charge” she added.
In his acceptance speech,
Executive Director Maglunsod said, “Ako sa totoo lang hindi naman
ako umaayaw sa trabaho. Kasi sa kanta pa ni Rico J. Puno, “Ang
umaayaw, hindi nagwawagi, ANG NAGWAWAGI ay yung HINDI UMAAYAW. Ang
importante na makatulong parin tayo sa mahal na Pangulo at sa mga
manggagawa.”
“Taos-puso kong
tinatanggap ang trabaho natin at magtatagumpay tayo sa collective
efforts natin. Kailangan kung ano man ang mga nakikita nating
problema ipaabot agad sa senior officials ninyo at kung hindi kayo
inintindi ideretso sa DOLE Hotline 1349, pag hindi sinagot dun sa
Hotline 8888,” ED Maglunsod disclosed.
He also shared some issues
and challenges confronting NMP as well as the maritime industry in
general, including among others: Development and packaging of new
courses (Training for Harbour Pilots and Crane / Winch Operators);
Acquisition of training ship and towing tank; Attraction of massive
trainees; and Maximizing the Use of NMP resources.
ED Maglunsod also
emphasized the need to sustain cooperation and collaboration between
and among maritime stakeholders to be able to respond to the ever
growing needs of the Filipino seafarers.
Attended by the NMP
employees, the activity was also graced by the members of the DOLE
Regional Coordinating Council (RCC) RO-8 namely, Atty. Cecilio I.
Baleña, OIC Assistant Regional Director of DOLE RO-8, Ms. Pamela
Babalcon of National Conciliation and Mediation Board (NCMB), Ms.
Mary Catherine O. Pastor of Overseas Workers Welfare Administration
(OWWA), Ms. Meriam R. Balmocena of Philippine Overseas Employment
Administration (POEA), Ms. Catherine O. Doblon of National
Reintegration Center for OFWs (NRCO), Ms. Michelle C. Basal of
Employees Compensation Commission (ECC), Engr. Ma. Elena Limen-Diez
of Occupational Safety and Health Center (OSHC). Also present were
former NMP ED, Dr. Romulo V. Bernardes and Ms. Arlene Maglunsod,
wife of ED Maglunsod.
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.nm.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.
Further, NMP encourages
seafarers to avail of the NMP-OWWA (Overseas Workers Welfare
Administration) Seafarers’ Upgrading Program (SUP) which entitles
the beneficiary to receive financial assistance for training costs
from the OWWA.