ATTY. PUGUON NOW HEADS NMP; Moves forward with the 2012 ...

The
Voyages
Official Newsletter of the National Maritime Polytechnic February 2012
ATTY. PUGUON NOW HEADS NMP;
Moves forward with the 2012-2016 Development Plan
The National Maritime
Polytechnic, the only
government-owned maritime
training and research center in
the country, is now headed by
former Department of Labor and
Employment (DOLE) Regional Chief
Atty. Forter G. Puguon, Sr.
The ceremonial turn-over
of the change of command from
outgoing Executive Director Atty.
Josephus B. Jimenez to incoming
Chief Atty. Puguon took place in
Room 109 of the NMP Training
Building on January 27, 2012.
This was done in the presence of
Regional Directors of different
government agencies, members of
the DOLE Regional Coordinating
Council, Tacloban City Vice Mayor
Atty. Arvin Antoni, invited guests
of the outgoing and incoming
Executive Directors, NMP officials
and staff.
Previously assigned as
Agency OIC from July 19 to October
17, 2007 by then DOLE Secretary
Arturo D. Brion, Atty. Puguon is
already part of the NMP family.
In his acceptance speech, Atty. Puguon said, “I don’t have to
make so many initiatives in the NMP, but we will ensure that programs
are implemented. The strategies have been laid down.”
He also stressed that the present NMP system has been intact
under the leadership of former Executive Director Jimenez.
DOLE Administrative Order No. 518, the directive appointing
Atty. Puguon as OIC-Executive Director of the NMP, also designated
Ms. Presca Lee B. Lugo, Assistant Professor 1 and Head of the Planning,
Research and Project Development Division, as the Agency’s OIC-Deputy
Executive Director.
Ms. Lugo in her acceptance speech said that she will take this
new responsibility with great optimism and deeper resolve, particularly
so that NMP is now faced with enormous challenges and opportunities.
She also mentioned that with the leadership of Atty. Puguon and the
legacy of previous leaders, “the NMP is now ready to sail on to the blue
oceans with a seafarer’s heart, coupled with a high sense of urgency in
doing things”.
Moving forward as a team. Barely weeks after assuming NMP leadership,
OIC-Executive Director Atty. Puguon, together with OIC-DED Lugo, have
taken the lead in finalizing the NMP Development Plan for 2012-2016.
The Development Plan was crafted in the spirit of addressing
critical issues and challenges that impact on the maritime industry
through interventions related to the NMP’s mandate. It also looks
closely into issues and concerns for growth in the institution’s internal
environment.
Included among the identified industry challenges addressed
by the plan are the recurrent shortage of management level officers,
compliance to the 2010 STCW Manila Amendments, escalation of piracy
at sea, and the country’s ratification
of the Maritime Labor Convention
2006.
In addressing these issues,
the NMP came up with the following
strategic goals: 1.) Quality, accessible
and relevant training; 2.) Responsive
partner of maritime regulatory
bodies on MET; 3.) Responsive
maritime researches; 4.) Dynamic
key officials and personnel imbued
with a culture of leadership, service
and excellence; 5.) Strengthened
external relations for resource
generation, technical cooperation
and institutional visibility;
6.) Enhanced facilities; and
7.) Increased outputs and sustained
outcomes.
After leading intensive
workshops and brainstorming
sessions on the final components of
the Development Plan done during
the last weeks of February, the newly
appointed OIC-Executive Director
is now set on presenting the plan
to industry stakeholders on March
13, 2012 at the AMOSUP Seamen’s
Center, Intramuros, Manila.
February 2012 Voyages | 1

Official Newsletter of the National Maritime Polytechnic February 2012
Deserving NMP employees receive
scrolls of commendation
TWENTy - ONE (21) SPECIAL SCROLLS of Commendation were given to
deserving NMP employees by former OIC-Executive Director Josephus B.
Jimenez during the January 27, 2012 turn-over ceremony. The three (3)
Division Heads, Ms. Grace Marie T. Ayaso, Ms. Presca Lee B. Lugo and Ms. Erma
V. Montebon, received the Natatanging Gawad Kadakilaan. Ms. Ayaso was
recognized for her “silent, unassuming, and effective way of leading”, Ms.
Lugo for her “dynamism and passion for teaching”, and Ms. Montebon for
her “utmost dedication to duty beyond the ordinary demands of public
service”.
NMP Faculty receiving the Natatanging Gawad Kadakilaan
The NMP Faculty received the Natatanging Gawad Kadakilaan
for their selfless dedication to duty, tireless quest for professionalism, and
unconditional love for trainees that immensely contributed to the success
of training and assessment operations in 2011.
Other employees who received same commendation under the
group category were the NMP Manila Staff, the NMPSA, the NMP-COA
Audit Team, Technical Operations Section, Registrar’s Office, and the Job
Order Workers. For the individual category, recipients of the same scrolls of
commendation were Engr. Elmer G. Mendiola, Engr. Januario U. Agravante,
Ms. Eufemia M. Balangbang, Ms. Peñafiel Flor M. Legua, Ms. Margie C. Mabitad,
Ms. Reginita M. Masalihit, Ms. Elena M. Santos, Mr. Joel Marcelino M. Campo,
Mr. Jay Arr Bryan U. Margallo, Mr. Jason O. Toreno and Mr. Pio B. Carabuena.
(photo above) Natatanging Gawad Kagalingan is conferred to the NMP JOWs, for their silent, effective, loyal
and dedicated service to NMP, their sense of joy and gratefulness which serve as a model for all other
members of the NMP family. (photos below L-R) The TOS, through their Head Engr. Gonzalo A. Manadong,
received the Natatanging Gawad Kagalingan for excellence in the maintenance of equipment, machines
and facilities which led to the unhampered conduct of simulator-based trainings and contributed to the
success of NMP operations. A Natatanging Gawad Kasipagan was given to the Registrar’s Office for their
commendable dedication to duty, customer service and sense of urgency. Award was received by Ms.
Marimel S. Ayuste, Registrar-designate. And for her outstanding performance in strategic and operational
planning, Natatanging Gawad Kainaman is given to Ms. Elena M. Santos, Planning Section Head.
NMP pursues accessible training for
maritime instructors and assessors
IN LINE WITH ITS THRUST of not only quality and relevant, but accessible
training services to the public, the National Maritime Polytechnic started the
year with two (2) off-site trainings. In January 9-13, 2012 NMP instructors
conducted a Training Course for Simulator Instructors & Assessors (TCSIA) for
the Philippine Seafarers Training Center (PSTC) in Manila and in January
16-27, 2012 the Training Course for Instructors (IMO Model Course 6.09) for
Zamboanga del Sur Maritime Institute of Technology in Pagadian City.
The conduct of these courses are along NMP’s strategic directions
as a Maritime Faculty Development Academy and as a Responsive Partner
of Government Maritime Regulatory Bodies. In response to the clamor for
these trainings by maritime schools in view of CHED’s mandate for the full
implementation of the requirements for maritime trainers to undergo IMO
MC 6.09 effective 2012 and MTC’s mandate making the TCSIA mandatory
to all instructors conducting training involving the use of simulators that
incorporate the aspects of both training and assessment when using
simulator as teaching tool, NMP went out of its way to deliver these courses
to the requesting maritime school and training center.
These courses provide a venue and medium to review and
improve current training techniques and insights into course management
necessary to achieve the prescribed standards and competence in the
development and management of maritime courses, as well as the skills
and knowledge for those responsible for the education and training of
seafarers and those involving the use of simulators in accordance with the
2010 Manila Amendments of the STCW Convention.
The delivery of the courses is covered by a Memorandum of
Agreement (MOA) between NMP and the requesting school/institution.
NMP, OWWA and AMOSUP complete
research on seafarers’ welfare
THE RESEARCH on Challenges Facing the Welfare of Filipino Seafarers: An
Analysis of Current Welfare Services vis-à-vis Seafarers’ Needs, a collaboration
among the NMP, OWWA, and the AMOSUP, was completed in December
2011.
The seafarers’ welfare research was conducted in the context of
the Philippines’ position as the biggest provider of maritime manpower
in the global market. Filipino seafarers are widely recognized for their
competence, industry, dedication, adaptability, and reliability. Related
studies project that this leading position will be maintained in the short to
medium term, ensuring general stability in the market.
That it is high time for the Philippine government to give
due recognition to the fact that seafarers are deployed in a special
work environment governed by a complex and fast-evolving regime of
international standards was emphasized by the study. The uniqueness
of the working and living condition of Filipino seafarers and the need for
equally unique measures to promote their well-being as a distinct group of
workers also emerged in the findings.
Findings and recommendations revolved on the availability of
welfare programs for Filipino seafarers in relation to their needs, identified
issues and gaps involved in the process, and proposed policy and program
interventions.
Various data gathering methods were employed to arrive
at the findings and recommendations of the study. Foremost among
these is the conduct of eight (8) in-depth interviews with employers and
government representatives. Twenty-seven (27) FGDs with seafarers and
their dependents, associations, employers and government representatives
were also done. To validate previously gathered data from focus group
discussions and in-depth interviews, a National Tripartite Consultative
Conference on Seafarers’ Welfare was held on November 10, 2011 at the
AMOSUP Convention Hall, AMOSUP Seamen’s Center, Intramuros, Manila.
Two (2) other researches completed by the NMP in 2011 include
Decent Work in the Maritime Industry: Focus on Filipino Seafarers on Board
Domestic Vessels and Supply of and Demand for Filipino Seafarers.
The Editorial Board
Atty. Forter G. Puguon, Sr.
OIC-Executive Director
Presca Lee B. Lugo
OIC-DED/ PRPD Head
Janis Claire S. Canta
Editor
Monette A. Forosuelo
Writer
Algie V. Oliva
Writer/ Production Manager
Ricky Rustan Roque
Graphic Artist
The
Official Newsletter of the National Maritime Polytechnic
Voyages
This issue of The Voyages features a more concise, clear and current view
on the events, activities and personalities of the NMP. As an in-house
production, the new Voyages will come out every month in a one-page
format. Please feel free to submit articles, contributions, comments or
feedback to its editorial and production office at the Information and
Marketing Section, 1st Floor, Administration Building, NMP, Tacloban City.
You may also call us (053) 321-3353 or email info@nmp.gov.ph.
February 2012 Voyages | 2