ILOILO City – The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) in Western Visayas installed last week its new district commander.
Commodore Edgar Boado, new PCG 6 commander, vowed to implement the policies of the uniformed service and continue the projects and reforms of his predecessor during the change of command ceremony held at PCG 6 headquarters in Lapuz district.
He will replace Commodore Allan Victor dela Vega who will be assigned as PCG commander of the National Capital Region.
Boado was the commander of PCG Eastern Visayas before his assignment in Western Visayas.
“We will continue the priority projects started of the outgoing commander, and cooperate with the PCG’s recruitment of the 4, 000 personnel before the end of the year,” Boado said in a media interview after the ceremony.
Among the priority programs of the PCG in ensuring the safety of the public are through enhanced emergency response and to curb illegal fishing, he said.
The emergency response equipment of the coast guard “is already in place” and there is still ongoing procurement of additional equipment like patrol boats and X-ray machines, he added.
“There is an ongoing procurement of search and rescue equipment, among others, on the national level and it will be distributed here in the region,” he said.
When it comes to its campaign against illegal fishing, Boado said Western Visayas also “has enough floating assets, regularly conducted operations, and apprehended a number of illegal fishing activities.”
In his speech, Boado called on the support of the personnel and officers in his new assignment.
“I anticipate your significant
contribution to the betterment of the coast guard. I expect you to perform
beyond expectations,” he said. (With a report from PNA/PN)
