Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) officer, Ensign Ralph O Barajan formally received the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Award for Exceptional Bravery at Sea at the Department of Foreign Affairs, Republic of the Philippines (DFA) in Pasay City today, 24 February 2021.

Ensign Barajan was the off-duty Coast Guardian who ensured the safety of 62 lives, including his own, aboard ill-fated passenger vessel, MV Siargao Princess in the waters of Cebu on 07 November 2019.

The IMO Award for Exceptional Bravery at Sea is an annual international recognition for individuals who performed acts of exceptional bravery, risking their own lives to ensure safety of life at sea. or to prevent or mitigate marine environmental damages.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the awarding ceremony for 2020 that was supposed to be held at the IMO Headquarters in London, United Kingdom was cancelled.

Present during the meeting were Assistant Secretary Igor G. Bailen and John Francis S. Herrera of the DFA - Maritime and Oceans Affairs Office, as well as Chief of Coast Guard Staff, Rear Admiral Rolando Lizor N Punzalan.