The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) vowed to continue supporting the modernization and the capacity development efforts of the Philippine Coastguard (PCG).
JICA Philippines Chief Representative Sakamoto Takema made the pledge during the June 12 commissioning of the last of two of the PCG’s largest vessels, the BRP Melchora Aquino.
The first vessel, named Teresa Magbanua, was commissioned in May this year.
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The commissioning of PCG's second and final 97-meter multi-role response vessel, boosts the agency's capacity to respond to maritime challenges in Philippine waters.
"Just like the Japanese Coast Guard, we view the role of the PCG as crucial in upholding maritime safety and security as well as in the conservation of marine resources,” said Sakamoto.
The government acquired the two MRRVs under JICA’s Official Development Assistance (ODA) Loan Project "Maritime Safety Capability Improvement Project for the PCG Phase 2" implemented by Department of Transportation (DOTr).
The new vessel, constructed in Japan with Japanese technology, is capable of carrying out 15-day missions and can sail through rough sea conditions.
"The delivery of the new MRRV will significantly improve the PCG’s response capabilities in maritime search and rescue, law enforcement, humanitarian assistance and disaster response operations,” according to DOTr Secretary Arthur P. Tugade.
The vessel will also enforce marine environmental laws protecting the country’s maritime resources.
JICA has been the Philippines’ partner in beefing up the PCG’s capacity since the 1970s.
More than 300 Filipino coast guards have trained in Japan within the period and the DOTr/PCG acquired ten 44-meter MRRVs from 2016 to 2018 through JICA’s ODA Loan Project
These MRRVs have completed over 1,300 missions, including curbing crimes during the Marawi siege in 2017, responding to COVID19 in 2020 and natural disaster such as Typhoon Odette in 2021.
Furthermore, JICA contributes to the effective operation and appropriate maintenance of the 44-meter and 97-meter MRRVs via an ongoing Technical Cooperation Project.