Del Rosario says it’s a 3-year program
TACLOBAN CITY – The National Maritime Polytechnic (NMP), the largest government-run maritime training center and research institution based in this city, has submitted its P1.33 billion modernization plan to the House of Representatives.
NMP Executive Director Victor Del Rosario expressed confidence that the three-year modernization plan will gain Congress’s approval, citing strong support from Leyte Representative and House Speaker Martin Romualdez, as well as Representative Jude Acidre of the Tingog party-list group, who chairs the committee on overseas workers’ affairs.
“We are optimistic that Congress will approve our modernization plan, especially with the support of Speaker Romualdez and Rep. Acidre,” Del Rosario said.
The NMP official is also hopeful for backing from Rep. Yedda Romualdez, the Speaker’s wife as well as President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., given that the NMP was originally conceptualized by his mother, former First Lady Imelda Marcos, who hails from Leyte.
The modernization plan, submitted by del Rosario to Congress on August 14,includes the procurement of new equipment such as fireman apparel suits, portable tank scopes, multi-gas detectors, and emergency transport vehicles, along with the repair of hydraulic cargo winch machinery, among others.
Additional projects in the plan involve the construction of a maritime resource center building and a hotel for trainees, the rehabilitation of its training center and swimming pool, and improvements to its dormitory facilities.
According to Del Rosario, the modernization of the NMP, an attached agency under the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), is crucial not only for enhancing the quality of maritime courses and producing world-class trainees but also because it is long overdue.
“This will enable us to better serve our Filipino seafarers. The modernization is long overdue, particularly after the NMP was severely damaged by Super Typhoon Yolanda in 2013,” Del Rosario stated.
The NMP official added that the modernization plan also aligns with President Marcos’ call for increased collaboration between government agencies and private stakeholders to ensure a steady supply of skilled workers for the shipping industry.
Established in 1978, the NMP is located in Barangay Cabalawan, Tacloban City, and spans 16 hectares.
It currently offers 51 maritime-related courses and programs.
From January to August 12 this year, the NMP has issued certificates of training to more than 12,600 individuals, many of whom came from outside Eastern Visayas.
Last year, the institution generated an income of over P31 million from training fees collected from more than 15,000 maritime trainees.
JOEY A. GABIETA
