Seven community leaders and boat operators have been appointed to become auxiliarists of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) in Batangas.
They are Elmer Mendezabal, Luisito Macalalad, Peter Alcantara, Wilfredo Pormison, Jorge Cantos, ​Juanito Magpantay and Nelson Calingasan Jr., who will join the 502nd Auxiliary Squadron under PCG District Southern Tagalog.
According to PCG, the new auxiliarists will be tasked to to organize and lead Coastal Community Auxiliary Divisions (CCADs) in their respective areas of responsibility that are mandated to monitor and report illegal maritime activities.
They must also act as first responders during maritime emergencies and disasters as well as implement sustainable livelihood projects in their respective coastal communities, PCG added.
Meanwhile, in Navotas City, six auxiliarists living in coastal communities also took oath to support the agency's promotion of safety of lives and properties at sea, protection of the marine environment, conduct of maritime search and rescue as well as maintenance of aids to navigation.