Gov’t maritime training center to expand in Luzon, Mindanao

TACLOBAN CITY, Oct. 27 (PNA) -- State-run National Maritime Polytechnic (NMP) will expand its maritime training operations in Luzon and Mindanao in a bid to reach out to more Filipino seafarers.

NMP, with main office and training center in Cabalawan village, this city, is in the process of scouting for location in Mindanao.

In Luzon, a facility will rise in Tanza, Cavite, according to Manuel Roldan, NMP executive director.

NMP acquired a 2.3-hectare property in Tanza town. The maritime agency earlier requested the Japanese government to provide funding support and soft loans to build the facility.

The maritime agency has been a beneficiary of Japan's assistance since 1984 through technical cooperation program.

Roldan noted that many interested seafarers are deprived of world-class training from the government with the absence of affordable training centers.

"It will be costly for them to go to Cebu or Manila and to other training centers. The concept is maybe, we can also create NMP training centers in Mindanao so that the far-flung areas can access trainings," Roldan told reporters.

On the other hand, the DPWH has already made the PHP60 million proposal for the fencing of their office complex to prevent encroachment.

With these expansions, NMP will have one executive director and three deputy directors from the three NMP institutions in major island groups.

The other two training centers will be managed by NMP-Tacloban, according to NMP deputy director Jeffrey Cortazar.

"Our theme is to make the Filipino seafarers the choice of the world and our role is to make our training courses of high quality, the preferred training centers of choice," he added.

The NMP is an attached agency of the Department of Labor and Employment that provides maritime training and research. It is also mandated to respond to needs of seafarers and the industry. (PNA) FPV/SQM/Dara Pearl P. Dacuyan (OJT)

/EGR