PCG unveils projects, programs for Negros Occidental

Newly-appointed Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) southern Visayas commander, Commodore Tito Alvin Garcia Andal, unveiled the projects of the PCG for Negros Occidental.

During his press conference Monday morning, Andal said they will establish a PCG Air Station at the BacolodSilay Airport, which would house their air assets such as their new helicopters which could be used for air interdiction, and for search and rescue operations when sea mishaps occur.

Andal said they will also procure more K-9 units in order to support the government’s anti-drug campaign.

The PCG will also establish the new southern Visayas district building in Bago City’s Barangay Calumangan and construction should take place before the end of the year, if the bidding process is not hampered.

The PCG’s facility in Hinoba-an, meanwhile, will be used as a regional training center and base for their future sea assets.

“The facility already houses around 1,000 coast guard trainees,” Andal said.

They would also install two new radar stations in the province, one located in Hinoba-an and another at the Bredco port in Bacolod City. The radar stations will help the PCG monitor the movement of sea vessels.

“Hopefully, within the year, we could also have a radar station at the Bredco port in Bacolod City,” he said.

A radar station had also been recently completed in Bayawan City in Negros Oriental, although Andal said the site is not yet fullyoperational.

“The radar stations are very important especially for the transit of vessels plying our areas,” he said, pointing out it would help them in saving their resources./

(Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga photo) Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Negros Occidental chief, Lt. Commander Jansen Benjamin, points at a map to members of local media, showing the area covered under the PCG’s southern Visayas district. The maritime district covers the islands of Negros and Siquijor.