These were the words of Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Arthur P. Tugade during the oath-taking and donning ceremonies of the newly-promoted Commodores of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) at the National Headquarters, Port Area, Manila today, 26 February 2021.

The Transportation Secretary expressed his sincere gratitude to the proactive rescue and relief operations of the Coast Guard, saving thousands of lives and supporting the recovery of typhoon-stricken communities, most especially amid the onslaught of Typhoon #AuringPH last week.

"Hindi 'ho ako magsasawang pasalamatan kayo ‘pagkat alam ko na ang buhay at kalusugan ay tinataya ninyo upang magampanan ang inyong katungkulan. Isinusugal ninyo ang inyong buhay; itinataya ang inyong kalusugan para sa kaligtasan ng sambayanan," Secretary Tugade said.

Secretary Tugade also relayed the commendation of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte to the men and women of the Coast Guard, in recognition of their heroic deeds.

Meanwhile, the Transportation Chief conveyed how joyful he was for witnessing the promotion of the first female Commodores in the history of the PCG, Commodore Luz L Escarrilla and Commodore Fran F Eden, as well as the oath of office of the PCG Promotion and Administrative Boards who are instrumental in maintaining the quality of the Coast Guard service.

On 15 February 2021, President Duterte approved the promotion of:

1) Commodore Luisito S Sibayan

2) Commodore Roben N De Guzman

3) Commodore Inocencio C Rosario Jr

4) Commodore Agapito B Bibat

5) Commodore Allen J Dalangin

6) Commodore Ferdinan B Picar

7) Commodore Luz L Escarrilla

8) Commodore Fran F Eden

To conclude, Secretary Tugade acknowledged his son, Perry’s Holding Corporation President and CEO Paul Louie P. Tugade, who took oath as the newest member of the PCG Auxiliary today.

The Transportation Secretary narrated how his son committed to become part of the PCGA after he was declared on his 'road to recovery' from stroke caused by a medical condition he suffered in December 2020.

“Here is a young man who suffered from stroke, but because of his willpower to come back to society, he was able to survive. I hope that what was demonstrated by that young man today should be the hope that we should carry on with our responsibilities, so that when the time comes that we are disabled or hurt, we shall have that strong willpower and say: I will survive and I will survive for the sake of Philippine Coast Guard. I will survive for the sake of the country,” Secretary Tugade exhorted.

On 16 January 2021, Commodore Tugade PCGA donated a speedboat to PCG Station in El Nido, Palawan as a birthday gift to his father — for the purpose of boosting the Coast Guard operations in the province.