Posted by The MANILA Times


With the aim of strengthening cooperation towards the development and implementation of quality training programs for seafarers in the domestic trade, the National Maritime Polytechnic (NMP) and the Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) Central Office forged a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) recently.

The agreement also hopes to attain international competitiveness as well as conduct of continuous and quality researches as basis to recommend advance methods to ensure competence of Filipino seafarers.

The MOU signing between NMP Executive Director Dr. Romulo V. Bernardes and Marina Administrator Ret. Gen. Rey Leonardo B. Guerrero was held at the NMP Conference Room, NMP Training Complex, Tacloban City last August 7.

Also in attendance during the event were Atty. Ruben Y. Maceda, Grace Marie T. Ayaso and Engr. Ponciano V. Trinidad from the NMP and Engr. Emmanuel B. Carpio, Regional Director of Marina Regional Office VIII.

Through this partnership, the mutual benefits of the parties include (a) collaboration in the development and implementation of training courses relevant to the enhancement and upgrading skills and competencies of seafarers in the country; (b) cooperation in the provision of course content / subject matter experts; (c) sharing of facilities, equipment and other resources necessary to facilitate the formulation and development of training programs; (d) exchange of information / data on maritime development as inputs to trainings and research; and (e) other areas of common concern relative to maritime manpower training.

Prior to the implementation of each project and activity, the specific tasks, obligations and conditions of the MOU, including the responsibilities of each party shall be discussed agreed, and formalized thru an Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR).

A Technical Working Group chaired by NMP Deputy Executive Director, Mayla N. Macadawan and Deputy Executive Director of Marina STCW Office was created to formulate the IRR for the purpose of carrying out relevant matters pertaining to the implementation and monitoring activities and other projects undertaken pursuant to the agreement.

This is an opportunity for the NMP to expand its services towards improving the quality of trainings and maritime researches that impact on the Filipino seafarers for their employment acceptability and enhanced competitiveness.

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.

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.