After more than 38 years of public service, Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Commandant Admiral Leopoldo V. Laroya is set to retire from the service on Thursday, Feb. 10.

Laroya assumed the top PCG post in September last year and has been instrumental since then in helping the country in the fight to contain the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19 pandemic.

With the Task Force Bayanihan for Returning Overseas Filipinos (TFB-ROF) for instance, the Coast Guard continued to assist in the daily operations of the One-Stop-Shops (OSS) at the airport, such as escorting Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) to airport terminals and quarantine hotels, ferrying returning OFWs for RT-PCR testing venues, and transporting COVID-19 patients to isolation facilities.

The PCG also supported the nationwide vaccination drive, ‘Bayanihan Bakunahan’ by opening its National Headquarters in Port Area, Manila as one of the sites for the administration of COVID-19 vaccines in the National Capital Region (NCR).

PCG security personnel were also dispatched to regional vaccination areas across the country to assist local government units (LGUs) in upholding public security in the three-day initiative.

Aside from providing assistance in the government’s fight against COVID-19, PCG personnel were also deployed in the search and rescue operations, as well as in the relief efforts for families affected by typhoon "Odette" last December.

Before the onslaught of "Odette", the Coast Guard Commandant directed PCG District Commanders to muster all deployable response groups (DRGs) and quick response teams (QRTs) in Palawan, Visayas, and Mindanao.

After inspecting their search and rescue (SAR) assets and gears, PCG personnel advised all shipping companies and vessel operators to take shelter during heavy weather and issued a maritime safety advisory to fishermen, ship crew, and other stakeholders.

Laroya also tapped PCGA Squadrons to prepare for relief operations, allowing the PCG Task Force Kalinga to immediately conduct relief transport missions as soon as the weather stabilized and after the aerial assessment performed by the PCG Aviation Force in critical areas.

The PCG successfully rescued a total of 1,032 affected residents and evacuated almost 12,000 individuals in Northeastern Mindanao, Northern Mindanao, Central Visayas, Western Visayas, Eastern Visayas, and Palawan. The PCG also responded to 115 maritime incidents, 90 of which occurred in Central Visayas.

Utilizing BRP Sindangan (MRRV-4407), the PCG conducted ferry missions for hundreds of stranded tourists and other affected individuals in Siargao Island and Dinagat Islands.

The PCG Task Force Kalinga transported a total of 3,505.4 tons of relief goods and critical supplies to support the rehabilitation of the affected families as of Tuesday, Feb. 8.

Since Dec. 19, 2021, the PCG vessels and air assets transported a total of 1,871 tons of goods, while PCGA aircraft and private vessels that are part of the said mission have ferried 1,634.4 tons of supplies.

Laroya instructed the PCG Task Force Kalinga to continue the utilization of all available assets and resources in transporting relief goods and critical supplies to MiMaRoPa, Western Visayas, Central Visayas, Eastern Visayas, and Caraga towards the recovery and rehabilitation of typhoon-stricken families.

Laroya said that his five-month Command became meaningful and productive through guidance and inspiration from Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Arthur P. Tugade whom he referred to as the “Father of the Modern Coast Guard”.

Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Commandant CG Admiral Leopoldo V. Laroya. (PCG Photo)