The administration of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. is gearing up to procure more floating assets for the Philippine Coast Guard, Transportation Undersecretary for Maritime Elmer Francisco Sarmiento said.
“In fact, there are some requests now to add up the existing fleet, particularly the search and rescue vessels, speedboats to make the PCG as well capable to defend our territory,” he said.
Part of the incoming floating assets is two 97 meters vessels, the BRP Magbanua and Aquino, while there are other requests for two new additional vessels that are still under discussion, which are all under a loan agreement from Japan International Cooperation Agency.
Heightened alert
For his part, PCG commandant Admiral Artemio Abu disclosed that as the opening of classes on 22 August nears, all units of the PCG were placed under heightened alert level.
“The PCG is placing all its districts, stations, and sub-stations on ‘heightened alert’ from 15 to 29 August 2022 to ensure the safety and security of students and other passengers traveling by sea in preparation for the opening of School Year 2022-2023,” Abu said.