The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has intensified its capacity building for its personnel and assets, specifically in safeguarding the Philippine waters through the activation of the Task Force Pagsasanay on 06 April 2021.

Under the leadership of Vice Admiral Oscar C Endona, together with Rear Admiral Ronnie Gil L Gavan and Rear Admiral Allan Victor T Dela Vega, the Task Force Pagsasanay shall conduct training to enhance the skills of PCG personnel on navigation along restricted waterways, offshore, and in less charted waters, as well as in maintenance and logistical operations.

Part of which are lectures and drills on night navigation including manual plotting,  piloting, firefighting, and basic life support, among others in preparation for the arrival of additional floating and aerial assets as part of the PCG’s modernization program.

“We are supporting the whole-of-nation approach in securing our maritime jurisdiction, especially the efforts of the National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea (NTF-WPS). This is to assure the Filipino people that they have a Coast Guard that always seeks self-improvement in order to undertake maritime security, maritime safety, maritime law enforcement, maritime search and rescue, and marine environmental protection roles in our country’s waters,” the PCG said.

“It is imperative for us to enhance the skills of our people to achieve operational and logistical efficiency so we may optimize the utilization of our resources through a harmonized command and control, and supply chain,” the PCG added.

Initially, the Task Force Pagsasanay shall capacitate the crew of the BRP Gabriela Silang (OPV-8301), BRP Cabra (MRRV-4409), BRP Malapascua (MRRV-4403), BRP Capones (MRRV-4404), and the BRP Habagat (TB-271).

Pilots and technical personnel manning both fixed and rotary wing aircrafts of the Coast Guard Aviation Force (CGAF), as well as medical doctors, nurses, rescue swimmers, weapons, communications, and information systems technicians, and other specialists on PCG core functions shall also participate in various capacity building activities. 

“The Task Force Pagsasanay shall conduct annual training, not only in the National Headquarters, but also in the 15 Coast Guard Districts to ensure that the Philippine Coast Guard remains credible, reliable, and professional in supporting the national government, specifically in the promotion of various national interests at sea,” the Coast Guard stated.

PCG Commandant, Admiral George V Ursabia Jr, who led the activation of the Task Force Pagsasanay, have directed PCG District Commanders to implement necessary preparations for the Task Force training activities and to monitor its execution on a regular basis.

“They shall be guided on how they operate, maintain, and sustain their manpower and assets, as well as how they perform their various missions, specifically in proudly flying the Philippine flag inside the country’s vast maritime jurisdiction,” the PCG shared.

“With shifting sea conditions among key planning considerations and in order to take advantage of prevailing favorable weather during trade winds, the capacity building activities of the Task Force Pagsasanay will initially take place in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), Batanes Group of Islands, and Benham Rise. It will also be conducted in the southern and eastern portions of the Philippines,” the Coast Guard explained.