NMP presents 2021 research findings to industry stakeholders

CONSISTENT with its mandate to conduct research for the maritime industry, the National Maritime Polytechnic (NMP), through its Maritime Research and Development Division (MRDD) arm, organized a Maritime Research Forum on June 22, 2022, at the Amosup Convention Hall, Intramuros Manila.

To validate the results and further enhance research reports, NMP presented the outputs of its four completed researches in Calendar Year (CY) 2021- 2022, namely:

(a) Managing the Threats of Covid-19 to Seafarers' Health and Well-being: Response of the Philippine Maritime Industry (Phase 2);

(b) Philippine Domestic Maritime Industry's Compliance with Maritime Labor Convention (MLC), 2006: Challenges of Implementation;

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(c) Issues and Concerns in the Philippine Non-Ratification of STCW-F; and

(d) Standardization and Updating of the Philippine Maritime Manpower Factbook 2020 and 2021.

The activity also sought to elicit discussion and exchange of ideas on the implications of the research findings to policy and program review and development towards improvement of the country's maritime manpower development.

In his keynote speech, Undersecretary Randy Escolango expressed his admiration for the contributions and accomplishments of NMPdespite the challenges brought to its shores.

“NMP has shown not only organizational resilience, but more importantly, the capacity to make itself continually relevant and productive to the maritime industry, thus, was able to claim its place in the forefront of developing the nation's maritime workforce,” Escolango said.

The forum also served as a platform where the NMP Research Agenda CY 2022-2024 was communicated to the industry stakeholders. Inputs were solicited to ensure that the research to be undertaken by NMP is relevant and responsive to the existing and emerging needs of the maritime industry.

“We give much value to this Research Agenda as we take into account that any intervention or program should be founded on relevant data and research to ensure that these are what our seafarers need. We believe that any strategic intervention that NMP wishes to implementto enhance the comparative advantage of our Filipino seafarers should also embrace your views and opinions,” NMP Executive Director Joel Maglunsod disclosed during his welcome message.

NMP Deputy Executive Director Mayla Macadawan thanked the presence of all the attendees and collaborators which is agreat manifestation of the collective concern and commitment to the welfare and development of the country's maritime manpower.

She also emphasized the need to strengthen the partnership and collaboration of all maritime stakeholders, including in the conduct of research. “We look forward to a strengthened partnership with everyone in the maritime education and training sector, shipping and crewing sector, maritime organizations together with the government agencies.”

Fifty-three industry stakeholders composed of representatives from government agencies, maritime and training (MET) institutions, higher education institutions and state universities, maritime organizations overseas, domestic shipping companies, and media outlets attended the forum.

Aside from its research function, the NMP continues to upgrade its facilities and provide maritime training required according to the Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW) Convention as amended in 2010 including value-adding courses toward improving the qualifications of Filipino seafarers for their employment acceptability and enhanced competitiveness.