MANILA, Philippines. (30 May 2019)- As part of the Philippine Coast Guard’s (PCG) capability development project, newly acquired rescue boats, vehicles and other equipment were presented yesterday to beef up the agency’s readiness for the expected threats of typhoons that may likely hit the country this year.

During the blessing and launching ceremony at the PCG Headquarters yesterday, PCG Commandant Admiral Elson E Hermogino, together with senior officers of the Coast Guard, inspected 20 aluminum boats, 20 personal watercrafts (Jet skis ), rigid hull inflatable boats and Hilux pick up trucks. Admiral Hermogino said that PCG is expecting the delivery of additional 73 units of rubber boats with outboard motor, 11 seven-meter rigid hull inflatable boats and 40 (35 footer) small patrol boats by September this year. Meanwhile, out of the 180 pick up trucks, 112 will be delivered next month.

The new rescue assets, which will be manned by the Coast Guard Special Operations Force and rescue personnel, will be distributed to PCG units nationwide particularly those areas which are identified as flood prone.

Admiral Hermogino, expressed his appreciation to President Rodrigo Duterte and Secretary Art Tugade for the continuous support to the capability enhancement programs of the PCG. He said that these assets would vastly improve the services of the organization to the Filipino people particularly in saving lives and responding to disasters.

On PCG’s “Oplan Kahandaan” in relation to the rainy season, the Commandant said that all Coast Guard units nationwide have been directed to be prepared and initiate proactive measures to prevent/minimize loss of lives and properties from maritime and land-based accidents. The directive provides that all rescue units nationwide such as disaster response and quick reaction teams composed of divers, rescue swimmers, paramedics and K-9 units should be on highest level of readiness at any given time.

In addittion, safety inspectors should exercise extra vigilance in undertaking maritime safety related measures such as intensifying inspection of ships prior departure, ensuring vessels to have no unauthorized passengers in conformance in the allowed passenger capacity onboard to avoid overloading of vessels; checking of life jackets, fire-fighting equipment; to strengthen its public awareness campaign to highlight safety during inclement weather especially to the fishing community; and non-patronage of colorum inter-island watercrafts.

All Coast Guard units nationwide are also tasked to coordinate and encourage operational cooperation with other government agencies like the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine National Police, Philippine Red Cross and National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council to ensure community safety.

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See photos at https://www.facebook.com/pg/philcoastguardofficialpage/photos/?tab=album&album_id=323756918292969