President Duterte has promoted Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Commandant George Ursabia Jr. to admiral, the PCG said in a statement on Friday, July 31.
The PCG said that Ursabia held the rank of vice admiral before his promotion as admiral, which is the "highest rank of a PCG commissioned officer."
The approval of his promotion was based on the recommendation of Department of Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade.
Ursabia’s promotion was effective July 6, but “his formal oath-taking at the Malacañang Palace is pending for schedule.”
Prior his designation as the PCG Commandant, Ursabia became the Commander of the PCG - Marine Environmental Protection Command; Commander of Coast Guard Districts in Central Visayas, Palawan, Southeastern Mindanao, and Northern Luzon; as well as the Commander of the Coast Guard Ready Force and Staff for Maritime Safety Affairs.
The PCG also said that he is a “seasoned mariner with seven years of sea service experience,” and was awarded the “the most coveted Command-at-Sea Badge.”
The PCG said that Ursabia is a graduate of the Philippine Military Academy’s “Hinirang” Class of 1987.
Ursabia pursued his Master of Science Degree in Maritime Safety and Environmental Protection as a scholar of Sasakawa Foundation in Japan, and earned his post-graduate degree from the World Maritime University in Malmo, Sweden in 1999.