TRAINING
Mariners Polytechnic Training Center
MPTC BOLD & VIBRANT AT 30 by Coca H. Strobar
prospects … to engage in a profession worth keeping and a source of pride. And for this, I am proud to be in the company of my colleagues from PAMTCI who make change matter in maritime education and training.” Current Board Chairperson Commo. Dante La Jimenez adds, “What will happen to a graduate of our school after graduation, he’s very much concerned about the family …to be intact and a productive citizen, real professional seafarer. Itutuloy po namin itong advocacy ng founder by way of not only promoting professional competence and to be safety conscious but at the same time gusto naming mabigyan ng kaunting kahulugan din ang social responsibility.” (We shall continue the advocacy of the founder; we wish to give meaning to social responsibility).
Alliance for new advocacy
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pioneer on its inception, now a forerunner in its sector – these are the differentiating marks of Mariners Polytechnic Training Centre (MPTC).
SEAMANgGALING as a flagship project is pragmatic application, guided by that mission of “Redefining Training at 30 Years and Beyond,” theme of the anniversary festivities.
Young and vibrant at 30 years, MPTC was a pioneer in Basic Safety Training course; now a forerunner in three core programs, Health and Wellness, Financial Literacy and Gender Sensitivity.
“Not just a celebration of our corporate life… but of our love as well for the maritime industry, particularly the seafarers… Mariners at 30 years metamorphoses into a training institution now with an advocacy.
The core offering is not a marketing ploy but a corporate commitment and a major component of project SEAMANgGALING, launched formally at MPTC’s Pearl celebration last February 27th at the Artic Bay, H2O Hotel of the Manila Ocean Park at Luneta, by the bay.
(W)e redefine training that is not mere compliant to standards but progressively dynamic that allows adaptation to the requirements of the ever dynamic shipping industry. It is training that is inclusively humane against training that is simply for competence,” explains Ms. Merle Jimenez-San Pedro, President.
This project is a holistic approach, and proactive, for the physical, emotional and social wellness of seafarers, focused on the global merchant mariners that Filipinos are these days.
A legacy.
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MARINO WORLD
Ms. San Pedro attributes the SEAMANgGALING vision to her father, Jaime C. Jimenez Sr. The departed Commodore founded MPTC,
among other institutions. “This is a continuing legacy of our founder,” adds Ms. San Pedro as she presents the new training programs framed on her father’s dedication to the welfare of seafarers. MPTC was registered at the SEC on Feb. 27, 1983 when the country was on a spasm of political and economic turmoils. Regardless, Commo. Jimenez raised anchor and sailed against the wind-With his skills (engineer and naval officer); more importantly, fueled by his passion to lead and advocate for reforms. And as the cliché goes, the rest is history. In 1974, Commo. Jimenez also established Mariners Polytechnic Colleges Foundation (MPCF). It expanded with three campuses, now the premier maritime institution in the Bicol region.
Trustees of both MPTC and MPCF are of the Jimenez family: Mdme. Eliza Lazaro Jimenez, Commo. Dante La Jimenez, Dr. Gabriel Jimenez, Dr. Marilissa Jimenez-Ampuan, Ms. Evita Jimenez , Ms. Nimpa Valdez-Jimenez and Ms. San Pedro. “MPTC shall bring awareness on the three programs : first level on the awareness, second as a stand-alone training program, and lastly those that shall be integrated as subject matter relevant to the courses in the academic curriculum of students,” details Ms. San Pedro. On a binge of nostalgia, she recalls, “During those years, I was a fence sitter in maritime education and training. I was simply observing and in my heart just obliging to a father’s wish that we have to get involved. (I)t’s beyond my wildest imagination that 30 years after… I sit side-by-side with … masters and engineers… and positively influence seafarers and
Merle was President of the Philippine Association of Maritime Training Centers (PAMTCI); Dante a former president of the Philippine Association of Maritime Institutions (PAMI). Additionally, Merle is a trustee of the Women in Maritime Philippines (WIMAPHIL); elder Dante is founding Chairperson of the Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption (VACC). Partners. MPTC is synergizing with new partners on its advocacy, viz: •
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On health and wellness, Dr. Jaime Galvez-Tan, President and CEO of Health and Futures Foundation and former Secretary of Health On financial literacy, Ms. Mary Jean Ibuna, President of the Bank Marketing Association of the Philippines. On gender sensitivity, Sis Mary John Mananzan of the Institute of Women’s Studies of St. Scholastica’s College-Manila.
Signing of the Memorandum Of Agreement among the partners was a highlight of the celebration. MARINA OIC Nicasio Conti delivered the Keynote before a distinguished audience including: • • • • •
Mr. Jose Kato, Pres., Filipino Association for Mariners Employment; C/E Fred Haboc, Pres., Philippine Association of Maritime Training Centers; Dr. Beth Salabas, Pres., Philippine Association of Maritime Institutions; Capt. Jess Morales, Pres., PMMA Alumni Association; and Arch Thadeus Jovellanos, Pres., Society of Marine Engineers and Naval Architects.
Major clients from shipping/ manning agencies were given awards; as exemplary employees were publicly recognized for their long years of service. Value-added services. Ms. San Pedro underscores the three programs under SEAMANgGALING are “value-added” services to their clients. Further, a special Audio Visual Presentation (AVP) simply entitled “Si MARINO, Si MARINA” provided the rationale for the adoption of the advocacy. “What good does a seafarer’s promising pay bring to the family if, after some months he’s physically ill, financially drained and is confronted with a disintegrating family relations ?” she observes. With the launch, Mariners’ becomes the first maritime educational and training institution to adopt a Gender Sensitivity program as CHED pushes for a more active GAD program. Atty. Nicasio Conti commends, “There is no doubt that the vision of our late Commo Jaime … has contributed so MARINO WORLD
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