The Philippine Navy (PN) has unveiled a lifetime support service center (LSSC) for its Jose Rizal-class frigates, a newly-built facility that will ensure the proper maintenance of their modern ships.
The LSSC was blessed and turned over to the PN's Philippine Fleet (PF) in a joint ceremony held at the Naval Operating Base Subic on Thursday, Nov. 17.
The LSSC includes a temperature-controlled storehouse which will allow the PN to extend the lifespan of spare parts and other materials needed for the Planned Maintenance System (PMS) and Carry On Board Spares (COBS) of the Jose Rizal-class, guided-missile frigates namely BRP Jose Rizal (FF-150) and BRP Antonio Luna (FF-151).
The PF said the acquired facility is a portion of Building S712 of the former Subic Bay shipyard that was renovated by South Korean shipbuilder Hyundai Heavy Industry (HHI) as part of a contract agreement with the Department of National Defense (DND).
The joint ceremony was witnessed by PN acting Flag Officer in Command Rear Adm. Caesar Bernard Valencia, DND Undersecretary Nemesio Gacal, Asst. Sec. Joselito Ramos, and representatives from the PN, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), and HHI.
According to Valencia, the acquisition of the facility serves as a realization of the Navy’s commitment to defend the country’s maritime interest as the objective for the frigates to "have a proper maintenance facility to ensure optimum readiness and capacity comes true today."
The facility is deemed a first of its kind for the Navy, and is seen to "significantly advance the Fleet's capability in keeping its capital floating assets in shipshape toward the efficient conduct of maritime patrol and other related operations," the PF noted.