The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Task Force Kalinga headed by CG Rear Admiral Ronnie Gil L Gavan expresses its sincere gratitude to private shipping companies, 2GO and PHIL SPAN ASIA for volunteering their vessels to augment the relief transport mission of the PCG towards the rehabilitation of the affected families of Typhoon #OdettePH in Visayas and Mindanao.

Through the proactive assistance of PCG Auxiliary (PCGA) National Director, Auxiliary Vice Admiral Manuel Luis P Idquival, the PCG has entered into a tripartite agreement with PCGA and Phil Span Asia for the conduct of the said initiative. The PCG and 2GO, on the other hand, have also signed a memorandum of agreement ( MOA ) to support the swift recovery of typhoon-stricken communities.

PCG Commandant, CG Admiral Leopoldo V Laroya said the pursuit is intended to increase the PCG’s transport capacity in the supply chain to ensure that in-kind donations will be delivered safely and swiftly to the most affected regions.

“We have been working with 2GO since the early part of the COVID-19 pandemic when they offered their vessels as quarantine ships for our repatriated overseas Filipino workers.  Since then, they never fail to extend any assistance available to support us in the performance of our humanitarian and disaster response operations,” CG Admiral Laroya said.

“The same is true for the Phil Span Asia that we are able to work with through the assistance of our ever-reliable PCGA volunteers. We will forever be grateful for their willingness to partner with the PCG to serve those who are in need,” the PCG Commandant furthered. 

Yesterday, 30 December 2021, PCG personnel loaded 167 tons of relief goods on board 2GO’s MV Masagana at Pier 4, Port Area, Manila to augment the supplies of the local government unit (LGU) of Cebu. The said commercial vessel departed at 09:30 p.m. yesterday to make sure that Cebuanos will be able to receive additional in-kind donations on the first few days of January 2022. 

Vessels of the Phil Span Asia, on the other hand, are scheduled to augment Coast Guard operations next week.

For his part Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Art Tugade once again gave his salutation to PCG personnel who willingly spend the holiday season in service to Filipinos. He also recognized 2GO and Phil Span Asia for allowing the national government to utilize their assets and resources to better serve the affected families during their rehabilitation period.

“Hindi po ako magsasawang sumaludo at magpasalamat sa magigiting na Coast Guard personnel sa kanilang pagsasakripisyo para sa sambayanan – kahit sa araw ng pasko o bagong taon. At sa ating mga kasangga sa pribadong sector, ang 2GO at Phil Span Asia, kinikilala ko ang inyong kontribusyon sa ating operasyon. Maraming salamat sa inyong pagsusumikap para makatulong sa pagbangon ng ating mga kababayan,” Secretary Tugade expressed.