MANILA – The Department of Transportation (DOTr) has committed to providing the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) with additional assets and infrastructure to strengthen its capabilities in protecting the country’s maritime borders and responding to calamities.
“Sа bawat sakripsyo ng ating mga kasamahan sa PCG, makaka-asa sila na narito ang DOTr para mabigyan sila ng kinakailangan at karagdagang kagamitan at personnel upang magampanan nila ng maayos ang kanilang mga tungkulin (For every sacrifice of our colleagues in the PCG, they can be assured that the DOTr is here to provide them with the necessary and additional equipment and personnel so they can perform their duties well),” Acting Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez said during the PCG’s 125th founding anniversary on Friday.
PCG Commandant Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan expressed his gratitude to Lopez for his support to the agency’s modernization efforts.
“To Acting Secretary Giovanni Lopez, thank you for your leadership and steadfast support in strengthening our institution,” Gavan said.
Lopez also honored the Coast Guard’s service record, noting its contributions to maritime safety and disaster response.
The PCG has conducted over one million pre-departure inspections of vessels at ports nationwide to help keep the traveling public safe. It has also rescued or pre-evacuated almost 95,000 persons and assisted close to 138,000 individuals during disasters and emergencies.
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., who attended the anniversary celebration, assured the government’s full support for the PCG’s capability-building and asset modernization.
“To every Coast Guardian serving at our ports and stations, aboard our vessels and aircraft, and deployed in communities across our country: Magpakatatag kayo. Nakikita at ramdam namin ang inyong paglilingkod (Stand firm. We see and feel your service),” Marcos said.
House Speaker Faustino Dy III and Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla joined the President, Lopez, and Gavan at the celebration. (Raymond Carl Dela Cruz/PNA)
