NMP salutes the Filipino seafarers

By National Maritime Polytechnic
June 28, 2019

TACLOBAN CITY – Aiming to promote and highlight the timeless efforts and sacrifices of the seafarers globally, the National Maritime Polytechnic (NMP) joins the world in celebrating and honoring the noble men and women at sea during the International Day of the Seafarer on June 25, 2019.

The NMP being a premier and sole government maritime institution equally pays high respect to its seafarer-trainees, seafarer instructors and to the seafarer family members of employees.

The celebration kicked-off with the Mariners’ Feud held at the NMP Training Building Annex. It showcased the wit and enthusiasm of the seafarer-trainees and seafarer instructors as they competed for the Mariners’ Feud championship.

The contestants were Capt. Jose Bolito, Mr. Darryl S. Daiz, Mr. Donald B. Dollete, and Mr. Ronald O. Dellones (Team Bravo), Mr. Abraham Pingol, Ms. Clee-ann Marie Montehermoso, Mr. Darwin Taboada, and Mr. Owen Jay Vasquez (Team GOC Big Brothers), Capt. Jonifer Nuevas, Mr. Richard Mandreza, Mr. Julius Cabrera, and Mr. Alfonso Garces (Team Boga-Boga), and Engr. Primitivo Capacio, Mr. Henry A. Licardo, Mr. Veniez Llamas, and Mr. Jungie, Alas (Team Mandaragat). The players gone through hard levels but Team Boga-Boga emerged as the Mariners’ Feud Champion.

A Tribute for the Seafarers program followed as Executive Director Joel B. Maglunsod gave his welcome address. Subsequently an intermission number from Ms. Reynisa Christine Ellarina, a seafarer’s daughter added color to the program.

In a response speech, a Refresher Training for Basic Safety (BTR) trainee, Officer-In-Charge on a Navigational Watch (OIC NW) Pinky P. Ygoña said, “Over the course of my career as the only woman onboard general cargo vessels, I have come across a lot of situations which made me feel inferior. It is a fact that the maritime industry is a men-dominated profession. It is not alien to stereotyping but we should focus on the skills of a person. It doesn’t matter what his or her gender orientation may be. We should be honing their skills and abilities to be better in what they do and create an environment of respect. Work would be easier because there is already respect. When there is respect there will be greater teamwork which will lead to improved productivity.”

The program concluded with the distribution simple tokens and the floral offering rites which paid homage to the departed seafarers held at the NMP’s Boat Davit Area.

The DotS was first celebrated in 2011, following its establishment by a resolution adopted by the Conference of Parties to the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW), 1978 in Manila, Philippines, in June 2010. It adopted major revisions to the STCW Convention and Code. Likewise, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) considers the challenges and hardships the seafarers battles everyday worthy of double honor. It is then that the IMO designated June 25 as the International Day of the Seafarer with this year’s theme “I am on board with gender equality”.

As a response to the call for Gender Equality, the NMP continues to offer the Gender Sensitivity Training for Seafarers (GSTS) course aimed at increasing the trainees’ level of awareness and appreciation on Gender And Development (GAD) concepts and addressing current gender issues in the maritime sector concerning the Filipino seafarers. The course is provided to trainees free of charge.

Throughout the week from June 24 to 28, 2019, a Photo/Freedom Wall at the Administration Building lobby was made available where everyone was encouraged to write what they would do if they were able to make just one change to achieve gender equality in seafaring. Likewise, selfies or photographs using cards bearing the #IAmOnBoard, the Social Development Goal (SDG) 5 icon, the DotS logo, and the #MakeOneChange, as a show of solidarity for gender equality in seafaring was also promoted.

Remarkably, the NMP also participated in the various activities organized by the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) relative to the DotS celebration at the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) office. A mass was celebrated followed by the floral offerings for the departed seafarers that were participated by various agencies in the Region VIII.

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.