To recognize the sacrifices fulfilled by the environmental frontliners in the recent oil spill response management, Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Commandant, CG Admiral Artemio M Abu, paid a visit to the Incident Management Team (IMT) in Calapan, Oriental Mindoro, on 08 April 2023.

CG Admiral Abu uplifted the morale and appreciated the good deeds of the deployed personnel. He reminded the IMT to continue rendering respective duties and establishing good rapport by enhancing interagency collaboration with stakeholders.

The PCG Commandant also extended his gratitude to the Office of the Civil Defense and the Provincial Government of Oriental Mindoro, especially the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office, for the hospitality given to the IMT at the well-established Unified Incident Command Post in Calapan.

CG Admiral Abu stressed that crisis must be looked upon from a positive perspective as it is an opportunity to serve and represent the Coast Guard well.

"Work together as one PCG family. Value every moment spent with every fellow Coast Guardian. Be proud that you are here serving the people of Mindoro," the Coast Guard Commandant expressed. 

CG Admiral Abu also emphasized optimizing learning and upholding a seamless communications strategy during a crisis to address the general public's speculations and apprehensions.

He urged them to keep the public and stakeholders informed, ensure the timeliness and accuracy of reports, and depict the reality of the situation on the ground.

CG Admiral Abu also said he is more than proud of the strong representation of the Coast Guard at present led by the IMT's Incident Commander, CG Commodore Geronimo Tuvilla.

He shared he is impressed to know of the positive responses from foreign counterparts and partner agencies whom the IMT has worked with recently.

The PCG Commandant also furthered that the Oriental Mindoro oil spill is an opportunity to test the effectiveness of the National Oil Spill Contingency Plan (NOSCoP), which provides a coordinated and integrated response mechanism to address oil spill situations at various levels effectively.

Afterward, CG Admiral Abu shared the best practices and lessons learned in the Guimaras oil spill, where he was designated as the Oil Spill Response Technical Adviser of the Task Force Guimaras in Western Visayas in 2006.

The Coast Guard Commandant reassured that the National Headquarters would continue supporting the IMT to expedite the oil spill containment and clean-up operations.