The Coast Guard Strategic Studies and International Affairs Center (CGSSIAC) hosted the two-day Strategic Development Forum with the theme “Charting the Strategic Direction of the PCG” on 22-23 June 2022 at Rizal Park Hotel, Manila.

Members of CGSSIAC staff, representatives from Central Staffs and Deputy Commanders/ Chief of Staff of different Functional, Admin Support, Operational Support, Special Service and Technical Service Commands participated in the said forum. Deputy Commanders / Chief of Staff of Coast Guard Districts also participated through video teleconferencing platform.

The forum featured presentations by strategists from the Department of National Defense, Philippine Navy and the PCG followed by a workshop that reviewed the current PCG Strategic Development Plan (SDP).

The activity opened with the remarks of VICE ADMIRAL ROLANDO LIZOR N PUNZALAN JR, Deputy Commandant for Administration followed by the exposition of CGSSIAC’s Plans, Programs and Way Ahead by its Director, CG COMMO RUDYARD M SOMERA CESE.

The first part of the forum featured presentations by Subject Matter Experts on the following topics: Ms. Emielynn Francisco (National Defense Strategy and Areas of Cooperation), CAPT WILLESTER S ROBLES PN(GSC) (Strategic Focus of the Philippine Navy) and CG LCDR MACY A GABION and Mr Rino Francisco (PCG Maritime Strategy and PCG Strategic Development Plan).

The workshop proper was convened by CG COMMO VIVIEN JANE CAY, Deputy Director, CGSSIAC and involved the review of the PCG SDP where participants from various Staffs, Commands and Districts were tasked to revalidate the previous inputs to the Plan. In addition, they were also asked to include new revisions and proposals.

In the activity’s closing, CG COMMO SOMERA provided the Synthesis of the activities where he strongly recommended the updating of the SDP since this Plan will be the vehicle for the Organization’s transformation and the forum was capped by the remarks of the Commandant, ADMIRAL ARTEMIO MANALO ABU to bring the Philippine Coast Guard to the next level of success and make it a symbol of hope and source of national pride of this great nation as he lauds the efforts and actions of CGSSIAC in initiating the revisit of the Strategic Development Plan.