February 26, 2010

The Philippine Coast Guard confirmed today that the Singapore-registered Tug Boat ASTA a.k.a. ROXY 1, which was reported hijacked on February 6, 2010 off Pulau Tioman, Malaysia, was found at Loreto, Surigao del Norte on February 25, 2010 at 7:00 PM.

Reports disclosed that the said tug boat ASTA towing barge CALLISTA departed Singapore for Cambodia on February 5, 2010. On February 6, 2010 at 1:30 AM, the ship agent reported lost communications with the tug boat at coordinates 02° 59.40’ N, 104° 00.60’ E off Pulau Tioman, Malaysia. The tug boat had reportedly deviated from its planned course and was tracked to be heading Northeasterly in the South China Sea.

There were 12 crew members onboard the said tug boat and no cargo onboard the barge. The ASTA was scheduled to arrive at Cambodia on February 9, 2010. The ship owner suspected that the said tug boat had been hijacked and reported the incident to the Singapore Port Operations Control Center (POCC) who had issued a broadcast to all vessels to report sightings of ASTA and CALLISTA to POCC.

Five sightings of the barge, CALLISTA were subsequently received from passing ships from February 10 to 14, 2010. The said barge was located on February 17, 2010 at 1:30 PM (local time) and recovery was in progress at the time of this report. It was assessed that the tug boat ASTA was heading Northeasterly towards the Philippine Area of Responsibility and has been reportedly renamed ROXY 1.

On February 17, 2010, the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) vessel spotted a life raft off the Adraiser Reef and rescued 11 of the 12 crew members who were believed to be the crew of the tug boat ASTA. The lone missing crew is believed to be the Chief Engineer. According to the rescued crew, the barge was boarded by eight (8) unidentified persons clad in dark colored clothes while navigating 3 Nautical Miles off Palau Tioman on February 6, 2010 at 1:15 AM (local time). The pirates armed with rifles and “parangs” (knife) blindfolded the crew and locked them inside the cabins of the Master and Chief Engineer. On February 10, 2010 at 9:00 PM, the crew was set adrift in a life raft.

The Philippine Coast Guard upon receipt of the information from the headquarters of the Regional Cooperation Agreement on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery at Sea (RECAAP) in Singapore immediately alerted all maritime law enforcement agencies and commercial ships in Southern Philippines to be on the lookout for the said tug boat which was reportedly heading to the Philippines.
On February 25, 2010 at 2:20 PM, the PNP Maritime Dapa informed Coast Guard Station Surigao that the alleged pirated tug boat ASTA a.k.a. ROXY 1 of 296 Gross Tonnage/88 Net Tonnage was beached at Brgy Pamanaon, Loreto, Surigao del Norte. Personnel of Coast Guard Station Surigao immediately coordinated with the Philippine Navy vessel PG-389 for assistance.

At 3:00 PM of the same date, personnel from Coast Guard Station Surigao onboard PG-389 departed Surigao City and arrived at Loreto, Dinagat province. At 7:00 PM, the Personnel of Coast Guard Station Surigao together with the Philippine Navy and Philippine National Police personnel conducted joint search on ROXY 1 formerly ASTA. The tug boat was found abandoned with only one (1) caretaker onboard in the person of Jonathan Conor, 19 years old and a resident of Surigao City, presently under custody of PNP Loreto.

Coast Guard Commandant Admiral Wilfredo Tamayo has directed Coast Guard Northern Mindanao Commander Commodore Ed Gongona to further investigate the incident after the caretaker divulged the alleged owner of the tug boat. He further instructed Commodore Gongona to coordinate with the PNP to file appropriate charges against the alleged owner of the said tugboat

February 22, 2010

Philippine Coast Guard Commandant Admiral Wilfredo Tamayo is set to bestow award to the Coast Guard rescue personnel and private individuals who responded in the search and retrieval operations on survivors and victims of MV Catalyn –B which sank at the vicinity of Limbones Island in Cavite last December 24, 2009.

Coast Guard District NCR-Central Luzon Commander Luis Tuason Jr said that the ceremony will take place this morning during the Monday flag raising ceremony in Coast Base Farola, Binondo, Manila.

The awards to be given are the following: Coast Guard Bronze Cross Medal and Ribbon will be awarded to the Coast Guard Special Operations Group headed by Lieutenant Commander Marco Antonio Gines; Coast Guard Merit Medal and Ribbon will be conferred to TB-271 headed by Captain Romeo Rivero, Coast Guard District NCR-CL headed by Commander Rodel Aburquez, SARV-003 headed by Lieutenant Commander Weniel Azcuna, Coast Guard Medical Service headed by Lieutenant Commander Alexis Calderon, Coast Guard Aviation Group headed by Lieutenant Phillips Soria, and Coast Guard Station Bataan headed by Lieutenant Junior Grade Geronimo Tuvilla; Coast Guard Commendation Medal and Ribbon will be given to the Coast Guard Public Information Office headed by Lieutenant Commander Armando Balilo, Coast Guard Chaplain Service headed by Lieutenant Giovani Biliran, CGDNCR-CL headed by Chief Petty Officer Pacifico Ferre Jr. and Marine Environmental Protection Group (MEPGRU) headed by Chief Petty Officer Leonardo Valdez.

Certificates of Recognition will also be given to Coast Guard Public Information Office, BRP Pampanga (SARV-003), Captain Matthew Frank Caldwell PCGA, Malayan Towage and Salvage Services Inc., Harbor Star Shipping Services Inc., Phil Technical Divers, Sulcon Xi, DF-385 from the Philippine Navy, VTS Control Center (Philippine Ports Authority), APL Jeddah – American President Line Co., MOL Aspiration – MOL Philippines, Sunrise Acacia – Phil. Transport Shipping Corp., PNOC Emilio Jacinto, Lady May – Harmony Express Transport Corp., Aleson Concarrier – Aleson Shipping Lines, LCT Marissa, Andrea Luis, and Love 1 – Moreta Shipping Lines.

A special recognition shall be presented to the late SOG diver PO3 Arman Bonifacio for acts of heroism during the retrieval operations. The award will be received by Mrs Maribel Bonifacio.

The retrieval operations on the sunken MV Catalyn –B was terminated last Feb 6, 2010, with an official tally of 27 fatalities, 47 survivors and six missing.

February 17, 2010

On 17 October 1901, Philippine Commission Act 266 created the Bureau of Coast Guard and Transportation (BCGT) under the Department of Commerce and Police which was brought about by the need to address issues of national interests such as the delays in the mail delivery due to lack of transportation facilities, construction and operation of the agency’s vessel, construction, operation and maintenance of lighthouses and the prevention of smuggling.

With barely two years in existence, the BCGT established 48 lighthouses, five unlighted beacons, range marks and 26 buoys. The BCGT also developed its capabilities by acquiring 15 Coast Guard cutters, 2 light tenders, 3 sea-going launches and 5 bay and river launches.
On 29 May 1903, the collector of Customs commissioned the master and watch officers of BCGT vessels to conduct searches and seizures in the same manner as duly designated customs officer.

On 23 March 1905, the BCGT was provided with the Superintendent of Inter Island Transportation who was responsible for checking that a steamer vessel construction is in accordance with the required specifications to provide service to the government and public.
By August 1905, BCGT vessels’ use were mostly for peace and other missions such as assisting the constabulary against the Pulajanes of Samar and guerillas.

On 9 December 1913, Commission Act 2308 abolished the Bureau and the country went without a Coast Guard until 1967.

On August 8 1967, President Marcos signed Republic Act 5173 known as the “Coast Guard Law of 1967”. The Act defines the three -fold objectives of the Coast Guard: the promotion of safety of life at sea, the enforcement of maritime laws and regulations, and the development of aids to marine navigation and rescue facilities. On 10 October 1967, pursuant to RA 5173, the Philippine Coast Guard was finally activated. The PCG was initially placed under the Philippine Navy with the intent of separating at a later date.

PD 600 amended RA 5173 and PD 602 established the National Operations Center for Oil Pollution. In 1986 Executive Orders 125 and 125-A transferred to MARINA some regulatory functions of the PCG. However MARINA did not immediately take over the functions in view of its limited personnel and material assets. It took seven more years before MARINA fully assumed the functions mandated by EO 125 and125-A.

Even while the PCG remained with the Philippine Navy thirty (30) years after the enactment of RA 5173 contrary to the intent of the lawmakers to have it separated as soon as organized, it continued to perform functions affecting the civilian populace particularly the riding public. While its organization’s military capability in terms of organization and vigilant monitoring on 24/7 basis in most parts of the archipelago proved advantageous to these functions, its military character has prevented the PCG from developing into a full-blown maritime safety agency. More specifically, grants and aids from more developed countries like Japan prevented the PCG from enhancing its equipage mainly because of the “defense” connotation while under the umbrella of the Department of National Defense.

As early as 1991, a Resolution of the Shipping and Ports Advisory Council (SPAC) called for the transfer of the PCG from the Philippine Navy to a more appropriate location in the bureaucracy that could enable the PCG to perform numerous functions whether mandated by law or deputized by another agency which are not military in nature.

The de facto character of the current PCG is that it performs law enforcement based on civilian regulations utilizing personnel that are organized and managed in the military manner.

This situation as defined by Senator Biazon as a “confused state” is in fact the very solution to the ailing maritime safety issue which requires the need for a round-the-clock and multi-mission sea-going government agency with an in-depth understanding of the intricacies of commercial shipping that can regulate erring seamen and identify vessel safety violations.

MARINA took over the vessel regulatory function on 22 November 1994 with a memorandum of understanding as an implementing instrument.
President Fidel V. Ramos on 30 March 1998 invoked the presidential authority to reorganize government agencies and transferred the PCG from DND to the Office of the President by virtue of EO 475.

On 15 April 1999, the PCG was transferred from the Office of the President to Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) by virtue of EO 477.

PCG underwent a lot of improvements in terms of organization, equipment, personnel and training. Relocated outside the Defense department, the PCG received numerous grants, donations and soft loans that resulted to vessel acquisitions and eventually upgraded its capabilities.

On May 3, 2004, RA 9295 or the Domestic Shipping Act provided for the legal transfer of vessel regulatory functions to MARINA.

With the bulk of the regulatory functions transferred to MARINA, the PCG meanwhile developed its capabilities to address the equally pressing problems on maritime security law enforcement, and environmental protection. The PCG also was faced with addressing traditional challenges such as the 22 typhoons that visit the country on the average annually and the non-traditional challenges such as piracy, terrorism, human trafficking, money-laundering and drug-smuggling.

The most recent typhoons that brought widespread devastation in the country due to floods provided the PCG with the opportunity to show its relevance to support national welfare particularly in times of disasters and extreme conditions.

With Republic Act No. 9993 signed by the President on February 12, 2010, the PCG has finally legitimized its presence as a bureau, through a legal instrument, under program and policy coordination with the DOTC as an attached agency . This provides the PCG with a higher degree of autonomy with which to manage its personnel, resources and activities.

More importantly, RA 9993 finally puts to rest the issue on authority, responsibility, capability and accountability on specific issues on vessel safety which has cast doubts and even fear among the users of maritime transport due to recent tragic accidents. The PCG can now unilaterally, with the effect of the law, assert and exercise what it has been doing historically in the past to promote and ensure safety of life and property at sea and once again regain the confidence of the riding public.

The President’s immediate signing of the law manifests the renewed trust and confidence bestowed upon the PCG that is guided by professionalism, preparedness, presence and partnership.

Under the new law, the PCG seeks to implement the following renewed powers and functions:

A. The PCG is empowered to enforce regulations on Philippine-registered vessels engaged in the domestic trade to ensure compliance to safety standards in accordance with national laws as prescribed by MARINA policies within the maritime jurisdiction of the Philippines.

B. The PCG is empowered to enforce regulations on Philippine-registered vessels engaged in the international trade in accordance with all relevant maritime international conventions including but not limited to SOLAS and MARPOL while within the maritime jurisdiction of the Philippines.

C. The PCG continues to inspect foreign-registered vessels calling on any port of the Philippines for control verification and to ensure compliance to all safety and environmental standards set forth by international conventions through Port State Control under the auspices of the Asia-Pacific Memorandum Of Understanding on Port State Control

D. The PCG is mandated to enforce safety standards, rules and regulations through the conduct of routine, periodic and random inspections on vessels anytime from the time the keel is laid for newly-constructed vessels up to the time the vessel is put into operation.

E. The PCG is mandated to enforce safety standards, rules and regulations through the conduct of routine, periodic and random inspections upon delivery of imported vessels whether new or used up to the time the vessel is put into operation.

F. The PCG is mandated to enforce safety standards, rules and regulations through the conduct of inspections of vessels altered from its original design.

G. The PCG is mandated to prevent a vessel which does not comply with safety standards from leaving port.

H. The PCG is mandated to stop a vessel from pursuing its voyage if found through inspection that it does not comply with safety standards.

I. The PCG is empowered to detain a vessel continuously until such time that it complies with the safety standards and that detainable deficiencies are rectified.

J. The PCG is required to set emergency readiness standards and conduct routine, periodic and random physical evaluation of all shipboard evolutions both underway and while in port.

K. The PCG is mandated to formulate, promulgate upon approval of SOTC, and enforce rules, regulations, SOP’s , memorandum circulars and other tertiary legislation to promote safety of lives and properties at sea on all maritime-related activities including boat races, regattas, life guarding, scuba diving, jet ski operations and other sea- borne recreational activities.

L. The PCG is required to coordinate with PPA Manila, PHIVIDEC in Cagayan de Oro and Batangas Port for the joint operations of Vessel Traffic Management Systems (VTMS) in respective areas including the establishment of traffic separation schemes, buoyage systems and two-way communications system accessible by all vessels.

M. The PCG is empowered to coordinate with PPA the establishment and joint operation of VTMS on the other major ports of the country or anywhere else where restricted passage of vessels are observed.

N. The PCG is required to maintain as far as practicable the continuous and uninterrupted operation of PCG aids to navigation and to coordinate with private entities the proper operation of private aids to navigation.

O. The PCG is mandated to coordinate with shipping companies for effective two-way maritime communications systems between vessels and PCG installations capable and suitable for use during the normal shipping operations and during emergencies.

P. The PCG is required to develop, establish, maintain and operate 24/7 rescue facilities on all PCG districts, stations, and detachments capable to respond to distress calls within the maritime jurisdiction of the country and on limited capacity to deploy rescue assets beyond territorial limits.

Q. The PCG is mandated to coordinate for joint use of facilities with the AFP, PNP, LGU’s and other entities including coordinating systems and procedures in the conduct of search and rescue and subsequent attendant activities to rescued persons.

R. The PCG is mandated to establish sea lanes to aid international vessels in traversing Philippine archipelagic waters under the doctrine of innocent passage.

S. The PCG is mandated to remove, destroy or tow to port sunken vessels or floating hazards to navigation.

T. To remove or destroy illegal fish traps along sea lanes.

U. To remove, destroy or tow to port vessels that pose as hazards to navigation.

V. To issue permits for salvage of vessels only to accredited salvors.

W. To supervise marine salvage operations through accredited salvors.

X. To provide guidelines on the proper conduct of salvage operations, the required equipment and requirements prior accreditation.

Y. To search for vessels and persons in distress and subsequently render necessary and appropriate aid.

Z. To minimize response time.

AA. To develop a system whereby the services of the AFP, PNP and other government units may assist the PCG during search and rescue incidents.

BB. To conduct immediately maritime casualty investigation on all maritime accidents involving death, casualties and damage to properties to determine proximate causes so that the same thing will not happen again in the future.

CC. BMI to inquire into all maritime accidents to establish probable cause and liabilities to parties, if any.

DD. To assist and coordinate with other government agencies to enforce and maintain security within the maritime jurisdiction.

EE. To assist and coordinate with other government agencies and/or entities to prevent and suppress terrorism at sea.

FF. To assist and coordinate with other government agencies in the performance of its law enforcement functions.

GG. To assist BFAR in the enforcement of fishery laws particularly on poaching and fishing with the use of dynamite and cyanide.

HH. To jointly operate BFAR MCS vessels.

II. To assist the BID monitoring and apprehending illegal entrants along the coastal waters particularly vicinity of Taiwan, Malaysia and Indonesia borders.

JJ. To assist the BUCUS in gathering information, prevention and apprehension of any form of smuggling through the coastal waters.

KK. To assist the DENR in the apprehension of illegal transport of illegally-cut forest products.

LL. To assist the PNP in preventing the movement of illegal firearms and the unescorted transport of explosives.

MM. To assist the PDEA in monitoring and apprehending drug dealers and discover drug laboratories.

NN. To assist the PNP to pursue and curtail transnational crimes.

OO. To board and inspect all merchant ships and watercrafts in the performance of all PCG primary and deputized functions.

PP. To promulgate and subsequently enforce rules and regulations to protect the marine environment and resources from all off shore sources of pollution.

QQ. To develop oil spill response, containment and recovery capabilities against ship-based pollution.

RR. To accommodate requests for assistance of other government agencies in the performance of their functions.

SS. To organize, train and supervise the PCG Auxiliary for the purpose of assisting the PCG in carrying out its mandated functions.

This very recent development puts forth into proper perspective the role of the PCG as a law enforcement agency that can address pressing concerns affecting the country’s national humanitarian interests. Non-traditional challenges affecting the general welfare of the people such as terrorism, drug-trafficking, human smuggling, unauthorized use of firearms and explosives and other trans-national crimes will be acted upon or neutralized with more intensity and vigilance through cooperative undertakings or initiatives with lead agencies

This complements the increasing acceptability of the PCG as one of the numerous coast guard agencies capable of carrying out law enforcement and diplomatic means of resolving regional issues without resorting to hostilities between and among neighboring countries.

Internationally recognized as the Philippine government agency capable of representing the country in international fora to tackle sensitive issues on maritime security, piracy, terrorism and other transnational crimes, the PCG has become a model for comparison on best practices among ASEAN countries.

The newly enacted law has legally elevated the PCG to bureau level at par with the AFP and PNP. It now becomes clear and undisputed that the PCG is the third distinct, uniformed and armed service of the Philippines that the country can rely on in times of disasters and enforce laws with the firmness of a military organization but resilient or adaptive to pressures or contemporaneous developments in the country’s vast maritime area surrounding the civilian environment where the PCG operates. <Download>

February 17, 2010

Coast Guard Commandant Admiral Wilfredo D Tamayo PCG directed early today the immediate dispatch of Marine Environmental Protection Command Hazardous Materials Team and Specialized Medical Advanced Rescue Team to respond to alleged chemical explosion onboard an international barge named Kotakinabalu (Baidori) – a 968 Gross Tonnage barge, of 120 meters in length over-all, without cargo onboard, owned and operated by a certain Gerry Topangil at vicinity waters of Sta. Maria, Bauan, Batangas on February 16, 2010.

On-scene Commander Lieutenant Commander Troy Cornelio said that Coast Guard Station Batangas received a telephone call from Coast Guard Detachment Bauan reporting the said incident on February 16, 2010 at around 7:45 PM.

Reports received disclosed that on February 16, 2010 at 7:30 PM, six (6) persons were cutting a portion of the said barge when suddenly huge smoke came out of the cargo hold, suffocating the workers onboard. Further, heavy fumes spread out thereby affecting local residents in the area.

Immediately, CGS Batangas coordinated with Bauan City Mayor Ryan Dolor, local PNP and local Bureau of Fire Protection for the evacuation of residents. CGS Batangas also dispatched DF-310, Special Operations Group – Southern Tagalog (SOGSTL) and Marine Environmental Protection Group – Southern Tagalog (MEPGRU-STL) to assist and to conduct inspection and investigation.

On February 17, 2010 at 5:00 AM, the team boarded the barge and conducted inspection with the assistance of BFP. Initially, the authorities pointed-out that the accumulation of curing agent, thinner and epoxy or the so-called sewer gas resulted to the occurrence of heavy fumes.

Meanwhile, the team is waiting for the arrival of the gas indicator equipment to be utilized by the inspection team to be able to check the entire barge compartment inside.

The six (6) persons working onboard Barge Kotakinabalu were identified as follows:

Casualties
1. Chamiel Allego Dela Cruz - 23 yrs old (Laborer)
2. Junnel Almohera
3. Alyas Waray (True Name Uknown)

Injured (presently Confined at Bauan Hospital)
1. Rogelio Dela Pena – 60 yrs old ,Sta. Maria, Batangas
2. Gilberto Niverca – 29 yrs old,Sta. Maria, Batangas
3. Jason S. Rodolfo – 27 yrs old, Navotas, Manila

February 16, 2010

(RA 9993 “An Act Establishing the Philippine Coast Guard as an Armed and Uniformed Service Attached to the Department of Transportation and Communications, thereby Repealing Republic Act No. 5173, as Amended and for other Purposes”)

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has signed into law a bill formally transferring the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) from the Department of National Defense to the Department of Transportation and Communications.

DOTC Secretary Leandro R Mendoza said that the President has signed Republic Act 9993 or the Philippine Coast Guard Act of 2009 last February 12, 2010.amending Republic Act 5173 which created the PCG as a major Navy Unit with military functions.

Under the new law, PCG is attached to the DOTC but with provisions that it will be under the Department of National Defense in times of war and upon approval of Congress.

It can be recalled that Presidential Decree 60 issued in 1974 gave the PCG the additional task of ensuring environmental protection and assistance and placed it under the Defense department. In 1998, President Fidel V Ramos issued Executive Order (EO) 475 transferring the PCG to the Office of the President, while EO 477 was issued thereafter transferring the agency to the Transportation department.

PCG Commandant Admiral Wilfredo Tamayo said that the new law shall now vest the PCG with the authority to enforce regulations on maritime safety standards within Philippine territorial waters.

He added that Coast Guard boarding and inspections no longer shall be limited to mere inspections prior to departure of merchant ships and vessels to ensure and enforce compliance with safety standards, rules and regulations. Consequently, the PCG shall resume its wielded power and authority to conduct emergency readiness evaluation of merchant marine vessels. Under the law, the PCG can now detain, stop or prevent from sailing or leaving port all ships or vessels that are non-compliant with safety standards, rules and regulations or the so-called “substandard” vessels.

The PCG law also provides an empowering clause bestowing upon the PCG the authority to issue and enforce rules and regulations for the promotion of safety of life and property at sea on all maritime-related activities, subject to the approval of the DOTC Secretary. Under the law, PCG shall have the core functions of maritime search and rescue, maritime safety, marine environmental protection, maritime law enforcement, and maritime safety.

Meanwhile, Coast Guard officers, men and women expressed their elation over PGMA’s approval of the PCG law. They thanked the President, Secretary Mendoza, members of both Senate and House of Representatives in making the twelve year dream to pass the law come into fruition.

February 16, 2010

The Philippine Coast Guard started its 4-day National Workshop on the 1996 London Dumping Protocol at the Trader’s Hotel, Roxas Boulevard, Manila yesterday. Technical assistance was given by the International Maritime Organization (IMO), a specialized agency of the United Nations, through world experts Mr. Matt Johnson (Australia), Dr. Tom Fredette (United States) and Mr. Edward Kleverlaan (United Kingdom). In welcoming participants and the three world experts who arrived to lecture on dumping concerns, Coast Guard Commandant ADM WILFREDO D TAMAYO PCG, described the activity as timely in view of the ensuring effects of climate change, rapidly developing technologies that allow the management of wastes dumped out at sea, and the need to explore other options that could be used when formulating strategies for cleaning Philippine waters. He stated that an important development in our dumping policies is the issuance by the Supreme Court of a continuing mandamus for all concerned agencies to clean-up the waters of Manila Bay.

Admiral Tamayo encouraged all participants to join in the discussions, learn from the experts and strive to explore solutions to current dumping issues. Dumping refers to the act of disposing waste or other matters at sea using vessels to transport the waste materials to the dumpsite. There are at present 8 dumpsites nationwide and the management of these sites significantly affects many government projects that promote safe navigation, river rehabilitation, and health improvement.

A total of 60 participants joined the activity, 44 representatives coming from various government agencies, 13 from the private sector, and 3 from the academe. Halfway through the workshop, these attendees have already benefited from lectures and case studies regarding CO2 sequestration, alternative beneficial uses of dredged materials, selection of dumpsites, waste assessment guidelines, and ocean fertilization.
The next two days of the workshop will be dedicated to lectures on dredged material management, monitoring of waste disposal at sea, artificial reef guidelines, and a site visit to the Pasig River dredging project.

February 15, 2010

From left: Capt Dever C Besana, Capt Severo P Cuison Jr., Admiral Wilfredo D Tamayo PCG, Capt Victor S Del Prado, Vice Admiral Ramon C Liwag PCG, Capt Don P Marfil, and Capt Juanito Salvatierra

The Commandant Philippine Coast Guard, ADMIRAL WILFREDO D TAMAYO welcomed the Officers and Directors from the Society of Filipino Ship Captains, Inc (FILSCAPTS) headed by Captain Victor S Del Prado, President of FILSCAPTS at the Headquarters Philippine Coast Guard on 15 February 2010.

Captain del Prado during the meeting, sought to offer assistance and strengthen cooperation with the Philippine Coast Guard by offering the services and expertise of the Filipino Ship Captains, which has a 35% international share in the seafaring industry, so as to improve domestic safety standards and even the country’s international trade.

Admiral Tamayo for his part underscored the need to work closely with Filipino Ship Captains, who have successfully established a reputation for excellent performance anywhere and everywhere in the world. He further stressed that while the maritime industry faces various challenges, it is time to improve coordination and partnership or cooperation in finding solutions to maritime challenges particularly through the promotion of safety of life and property at sea, and the protection of the marine environment.

Admiral Tamayo has also expressed his gratitude to Capt del Prado for the visit and further enjoined the members of the FILSCAPTS to support the PCG in furthering the promotion of sea safety awareness in the shipping industry.

The Society of Filipino Ship Captains, Inc is a newly established organization with membership solely composed of active seagoing as well as shore-based Filipino ship masters with various years of command experience either onboard Philippine domestic or foreign trading merchant ships.

VICE ADMIRAL RAMON C LIWAG PCG, Vice Commandant for Operations joined ADMIRAL TAMAYO in welcoming Capt Victor S Del Prado, Capt Dever C Besana, Capt Juanito G Salvatierra, Capt Severo P Cuison Jr., and Capt Don P Marfil of FILSCAPTS.

February 13, 2010

February 12, 2010

February 9, 2010