BY GLENDA SOLOGASTOA
ILOILO City – As it turned 31 years old yesterday, the Philippine Coast Guard – Western Visayas became more equipped.
The region’s Coast Guard celebrated its 31st founding anniversary yesterday with Vice Admiral Rodolfo Isorena as guest of honor and keynote speaker.
He turned over 24 aluminum-hulled rescue boats to be deployed to district stations and substations in Western Visayas, and one rubber boat for the Coast Guard special operations unit.
According to Isorena, the boats were part of Coast Guard’s modernization program to better serve the public.
Aside from rescue operations, the boats will also be used to patrol the region’s seas and secure them from poachers.
Starting next year to 2017, Isorena said, PCG will procure 15 multi-role vessels of which 10 will be from Japan and five from France.
One of the vessels will be deployed to Western Visayas, he revealed.
The Coast Guard is also improving its physical facilities.
In Region 6, three have just been completed – Coast Guard District Western Visayas (CGDWV) headquarters annex in Barrio Obrero, La Paz, Iloilo City; Coast Guard Substation in Buenavista, Guimaras; and Coast Guard Station Iloilo located at Fort San Pedro, Iloilo City.
PCG is also eyeing to improve its Caticlan Station in preparation for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit next year.
APEC delegates might visit Boracay Island, he explained.
The Coast Guard is also increasing its manpower. According to Region 6 commander Athelo Ybañez, recruitment is year-round.
This year alone, Coast Guard is looking for 987 personnel./PN
