Secretary Lapeña indicated the favorable projection on the country’s deployment during a visit yesterday of the ongoing assessment of 10 candidates for National Certificate I (NC I) for Ship Catering Service (messman) at Southern Institute of Maritime Studies (SIMS).
His optimism stemmed from the recent decision of the Inter Agency Task Force (IATF) for Managing Infections Disease to approve face-to-face training and assessment for NC I or messman, Ships Catering NC III (Cooks), Domestic Workers, Housekeeping and Caregivers. The last three are for land-based OFWs.
“I am happy for our OFWs that we are having this assessment now. And daming naghihintay nito. I am happy IATF approved the training and assessment,” the TESDA official said.
“Tomorrow mayroon pa uli; tuloy-tuloy na ito,” Secretary Lapeña added, referring to the assessment and training at SIMS, the first to be earn accreditation from TESDA.
He said that during Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) all, training and assessment were suspended. It continued only in areas under General Community Quarantine (GCQ) but there were many restrictions before the IATF decision.
But all outbound OFWs are required by the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) to present TESDA issued certificates.
“Ayaw naman natin na aalis sila ng bansa na hindi sila ready (for their jobs abroad),” Secretary Lapena said.Later, Dr. Glenn Mark Blasquez, vice president of SIMS, said some of the candidates for messman are bound for Norway. Dapat July pa nakaalis ang mga iyan to join cargo vessels, he said.
