NMP trains 22 rescued Mindoro fisherfolks

By National Maritime Polytechnic
July 22, 2019

TACLOBAN CITY – The National Maritime Polytechnic (NMP), with the aim of promoting safety of life at sea and in recognition of the need to enhance the basic safety skills of the country’s marginalized fisherfolks, trained the twenty-two (22) rescued Mindoro fisherfolks with Basic Safety Training for Motorboat Handlers/ Operators & Fisherfolks with Typhoon Preparedness (BSTMHOF) last 17-18 July 2019 at the Sikatuna Beach Hotel and Restaurant, San Jose, Occidental Mindoro.

The training was conducted in response to the request of DOLE MIMAROPA Region as part of their package assistance to the 22 rescued fisherfolks who were abandoned after their boat was reportedly hit by a Chinese vessel off Recto Bank.

The training was made possible in collaboration with Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) – Coast Guard Station – Occidental Mindoro, and the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA), Local Government Unit (LGU) of Occidental Mindoro and the DOLE Regional Office IV-B.

In his message, LGU-San Jose Acting Mayor, Hon. Roderick Q. Agas expressed his appreciation for the continuous support and assistance of the government through the aid of the different national agencies to his constituents.

“Hindi po tayo pinapabayaan ng ating pamahalaan. Binigyan tayo ng pagkakataon na maging mangingisda pero kailangan ilagay natin sa ating sarili na tayo yung pinakamagaling at walang ibang shortcut, kailangan mag-aral tayo at matuto. Alam po naming magagaling na kayo pero kailangang ilagay natin sa tamang perspektibo yung mga matutunan natin” said Acting Mayor Agas.

He also quoted a Chinese proverb that says, “Kung tutulong ka huwag mo lang bigyan ng isda pero turuan mo rin kung paano manghuli ng isda para hanggang sa huli may hanapbuhay at tatagal ang hanapbuhay ng gusto mong tulongan”.

DOLE Regional Director, RD Joel M. Gonzales also thanked the NMP leadership for granting their request to conduct the said training. He also reminded the participants that the knowledge and learning experiences that they acquire in the training are among the things that can never be stolen from them.

“Ang layunin ng training na ito ay madagdagan ng tulong at kaalaman ang inyong kakayahan at ito ay pang habang-buhay ninyong maisasama” he disclosed.

The Basic Safety Training for MHOF is aimed at improving the basic safety skills of local motorboat operators and fisherfolks 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.

The participants were thankful for the trainings conducted which equipped them with additional knowledge and confidence on how to respond properly in the event of an emergency and the skills on how to use lifesaving, safety, and communication equipment and other survival paraphernalia.

This was the first batch of graduates produced by NMP on MHOF this year. NMP also inked similar MOAs with other LGUs such as the municipalities Tolosa, Leyte and Limasawa, Sothern, Leyte. The training is set to be conducted on 23 -24 July 2019 and 07-09 August 2019, respectively.

Likewise, coordination with other LGUs in the region is currently being made for possible collaboration, thereby expanding the reach of beneficiaries for this program.

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