COLLABORATION
Philippine Coast Guard personnel, along with those from the United States Coast Guard (USCG), take time out from their training schedule for a group photo at PCG headquarters in Manila on Friday. A total of 19 PCG officers and staff graduated on the same day from a two-week course on Outboard Motor Maintenance. The course was facilitated by a team from the USCG as part of continuing collaboration between the Philippine and US governments on maritime border security. The course covered lectures and hands- on exercises on engine theory, operation of engine systems and trouble-shooting techniques to help PCG maximize the use of its vessels and engines. The trainees came from the PCG’s Bicol, Southern Tagalog, Northwestern Luzon, and Northeastern Luzon districts. The US Department of State’s Export Control and Related Border Security (EXBS) Program provided funding for the course. The EXBS program has been supporting a variety of training courses for PCG personnel both in the Philippines and in the United States. Its total funding for the Philippines for 2016/2017 is $590,000. The EXBS program is designed to help countries develop and improve their strategic trade and border control systems.