COAST GUARD TO BUY 2 PATROL VESSELS

THE Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) is set to acquire its two biggest patrol ships for the first time, as announced by the Department of Transportation on Friday.

This was after Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade and Mitsubishi Shipbuilding Co. Ltd. Presi dent and Chief Executive Officer Koji Okura signed a contract for the construction and delivery of two units of multi-role response vessels (MRRVs) under the Maritime Safety Capability Improvement Project Phase

2. During the signing ceremony, Tugade emphasized that this development is a breakthrough toward the government’s thrust of modernizing and upgrading the country’s maritime protection and border patrol capabilities.

“The modernization of PCG has been going fast and quick and very meaningful. In fact, in this effort to make it quick, fast, and very meaningful, the government of Japan has contributed very much. And to which I express my appreciation for your continued support,” the Transportation chief said.

For his part, PCG Commandant Adm. Joel Garcia emphasized that the contract signing was a landmark achievement for the whole country, as the PCG would now have its the biggest patrol ships in its inventory.

“It is a big stride to the development of this country in the context of maritime security and maritime safety,” Garcia said.

Okura expressed his desire to continuously work and cooperate with the government in delivering various projects, programs, and initiatives as he noted, “We look forward to work with you all, in this important project and we sincerely appreciate your continuous cooperation to make this project successful.”