By Raymond Carl Dela Cruz | Philippine News Agency
The National Maritime Polytechnic (NMP) will offer all 55 of its regular maritime training courses free of charge beginning Aug. 3, in line with the policy direction of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to empower Filipino seafarers.
In a virtual press conference Friday, NMP Executive Director Victor del Rosario said the move was approved by Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac through DMW Memorandum Order No. 360.
“Lahat ng ating mga regular maritime training courses sa NMP ay magiging libre na. Free of charge. Wala nang cost. As in, zero,” Exec. Dir. del Rosario said.
The 55 courses include STCW (Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping for Seafarers)-mandated programs such as Deck, Engine, Specialized, and Safety, Security, and Medical courses, as well as non-STCW or value-adding courses designed to further enhance Filipino seafarers’ competence and employability.
Del Rosario said the initiative significantly reduces the financial burden associated with mandatory maritime training while strengthening the global competitiveness of Filipino seafarers.
Before the policy change, NMP’s basic training course—a 12-day program required of all seafarers before they can obtain a Seaman’s Book—was offered at P2,700, which he described as already the lowest in the sector.
Private maritime training institutions charge between P6,000 and P7,000 for the same basic training course.
To manage the expected surge in enrollment, the NMP will publish implementing guidelines covering admission and eligibility standards, a prioritization system, and enrollment procedures.
Priority will be given first to active seafarers and maritime professionals, second to maritime cadets and students, and third to maritime professionals from government and private sector partners with existing memoranda of agreement with NMP, including the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA).
Maritime allied professionals—such as hospitality, security, and medical graduates targeting deployment on passenger and cruise ships—were also cited as eligible.
The NMP’s online enrollment system is already accessible through its website, allowing seafarers anywhere in the country to enroll remotely.
The agency is also developing at least seven courses for online distance learning, pending approval by MARINA.
The NMP, based in Tacloban City, is currently undertaking feasibility studies in partnership with the Development Academy of the Philippines (DAP) for the establishment of regional training centers in Cavite and Davao.
Del Rosario said NMP has had a 2.2-hectare property in Tanza, Cavite, since 1995, and was granted a 5,000-square-meter parcel of land within the proposed Davao Regional Government Center in 2021 through a deed of convenience under Presidential Proclamation No. 1354.
He said the expansion has been mandated since NMP’s founding charter, Presidential Decree No. 1369 in 1978, but was not acted upon until the current administration.
He said the industry has long called for NMP satellite centers in Luzon and Mindanao, noting that CALABARZON and the National Capital Region each account for 14% of seafarers nationwide, making Tanza, Cavite a strategic location.
To allow for the expansion plans of the NMC, he called on the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) to approve NMP’s proposed P337,672,231 budget for fiscal year 2027.
The funds, he said, would be critical to sustaining high-quality training and meeting the growing demand under the free training program.
During the press conference, seafarer Ian Ramo, an NMP trainee, said the free training program would ease the financial strain on seafarers during their limited shore leave.
“Napakalaking tulong talaga sa amin yung offer ng NMP sa mga libreng training courses,” Ramo said.
He said seafarers on vacation have limited time ashore and face multiple financial obligations, making the cost of mandatory training renewals an added burden.
“Hindi na masakit para sa amin—libre na yung courses na ito, kasi lalo na na limited na yung bakasyon namin,” he said.
Established in 1978 through Presidential Decree No. 1369, NMP has issued nearly 500,000 training certificates and completed 67 maritime research studies over its 48-year history.
