Deadline set for seafarers joining in biz plan contest

CEBU, Philippines — Seafarers who are interested to join the 2019 NRCO-ISP Business Plan Competition have only until early next month to get a chance of taking home a P500,000 prize.

This after project proponents National Reintegration Center for OFWs (NRCO) and the Integrated Seafarers of the Philippines (ISP) had set the deadline of the submission of entries on September 6.

In a report to DOLE-7 Regional Director Salome O. Siaton, NRCO-7 Regional Coordinator Dexter F. Paro said that interested active or inactive seafarers and their families are encouraged to finalize their start-up business plan proposals and turn them in on or before the deadline.

The 2019 NRCO-ISP Business Plan Competition is a special project for seafarers and their families by the NRCO, in partnership with the Integrated Seafarers of the Philippines and is open to the following: (1) Active seafarers preferably those who are planning to retire from sea life and (2) Inactive seafarers, who have been in the Philippines for not more than five (5) years.

“Both should be interested to venture into entrepreneurship,” said Paro.

Participants, he added, may join the competition in solo, duo or by group for a minimum of three members and a maximum of five members.

“Entrants, whether solo or those falling under other categories, must be Filipino citizens and should be 25 years old or older than that,” Paro added.

Qualified seafarers, who are currently on duty but are unable to attend the presentation and coordination activities related to the competition, must have at least one official representative – an immediate family member – who will handle all the tasks and activities required in the competition.

All types of startup business plans are welcome, except for those that hailed from the idea of a franchising business – meaning, entries should be original.

The competition’s national winner will take home the P500,000 grand prize. Other prizes include P100,000 for the first runner up; P50,000.00 each for the second, third, and fourth runners up; and P20,000.00 each for the remaining national finalists.

Proposals could be submitted to [email protected] or at [email protected] or at the OWWA Regional Welfare Office No. 7 located at the 2nd Floor, DOLE-7 Building, General Maxilom Avenue Corner Gorordo Avenue, Cebu City.

The NRCO is under the supervision of DOLE and OWWA.  It is mandated to develop, promote and implement a national agenda on sustainable return and reintegration of OFWs.

The ISP, on the other hand, is a non-stock and non-profit organization formed and established for the welfare of Filipino seafarers and their families.

To recall, the entry of Region-7, Dr. Nelson Mejia’s Metro Cebu Express – an alternative mode of transportation for Cebuanos, became the national winner last year.

Mejia is the CEO of MCE Shipping Lines that launched its fleet of passenger vessels named MyBoat ferrying passengers from the City of Naga to Cebu City. (FREEMAN)