The Government of Japan has sent anew four (4) Japan International Cooperation Agency long-term experts for the Philippine Coast Guard Education and Human Resource Management System Development (EHRMSD) Project.

The PCG-JICA EHRMSD Project, which started six years ago, covers a wide range of development projects that include the formulation of plans and programs on the PCG education system and faculty system. The project aims to further identify and improve necessary and feasible areas in the system of organization.

Philippine Coast Guard Commandant Admiral Wilfredo D Tamayo formally welcomed the four experts last January 16, 2010 ath the PCG Headquarters in Manila. He said that the arrival of the JICA experts is very timely in the light of the impending passage of the Coast Guard law which provides, among others, the strengthening of the PCG human resource development program. Admiral Tamayo added that personnel capability upgrade has become imperative since the PCG law mandates an expanded Coast Guard enforcement powers on maritime safety, maritime security, environmental protection and maritime administration.

CDR Iwao Mabuchi JCG, 42 years old is a JICA long-term expert designated as the Special Assistant to the Director on Planning and International Cooperation Policy concerning Guard and Rescue Mission, Administration Division at Japan Coast Guard Headquarters. He graduated from Japan Coast Guard Academy with a degree in Electronics and Radio Communication Engineering. Commander Mabuchi obtained his 1st Class License for Radio Operator for General Services in 1991 and his 1st Class License for Mariners as Radio Communication Officer in 1993. He also became a licensed professional diver in 1992.

CDR Keizo Eguchi JCG, 45 years old from Tokyo , Japan is the Commander of Coast Guard Rescue Department of Japan Coast Guard. Commander Eguchi graduated from the Japan Coast Guard Academy in 1986. He has held various positions in the Cabinet Secretariat of Japanese Government in relation to his expertise - Maritime Law Enforcement. He is also a First Grade Licensed Maritime Engineer and has the Primary License of Arresting (License of Japan Coast Guard).

LCDR Fujuki Kamada, 46 years old is a long-term expert on Educational System from the Japan Coast Guard and Rescue Department / Administration Division at Japan Coast Guard Headquarters. He worked as a short-term oversea research worker for the United States of America in March 2006.

Mr. Masahiro Hasegawa, 52 years old is a Senior Consultant Natural Environment Department / Project Management and Maritime Technology, INTEM Consulting. He is a graduate of Tokai University in March 1981, with a degree in Nautical Engineering, Department of Marine Science and Technology. Mr. Hasegawa has worked in different countries such as Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Kingdom of Morroco and Philippines in terms of maritime technology, fishing technology and project management.

The Japan International Cooperation Agency has been consistently supporting the Philippine Government especially the Coast Guard in providing highly skilled and competent personnel through human resource development. PCG officers are being sent to Japan for short courses on maritime safety, security and marine environmental protection, while Nippon Foundation has sponsored PCG student officers to the World Maritime University in Malmo Sweden for various masteral programs. On top of the training program, JICA has been providing the PCG equipment and funding on some school facilities to include the diving pool at the Coast Guard Education and Training Command and maritime communications capability enhancement, among others...See pictures...