The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) will construct a vessel support facility in Bataraza, Palawan as part of its efforts to expand its operational reach in the southern part of the province.

In a statement sent to reporters on Tuesday, Sept. 13, the PCG said a memorandum of understanding (MOU) was signed recently between the Coast Guard District Palawan and the municipal government of Bataraza, Palawan for the allocation of a parcel of land situated in Barangay Buliluyan.
The MOU was inked by Commodore Rommel Supangan, commander of PCG District Palawan, and Bataraza Mayor Abraham Ibba. The ceremony was witnessed by Rear Adm. Charlie Rances, commander of CG Fleet, and other officers of CG Fleet and CG District Palawan.

“The vessel support facility will serve as the forward operating base to support operation of the PCG vessels deployed by the Coast Guard Fleet in the area of responsibility of Coast Guard District Palawan,” Supangan said.
A vessel support facility is often designed to properly store and maintain floating assets. It can also be equipped with a maintenance and repair area.
The construction of the vessel support facility is seen as a crucial move to keep the presence of ships and other floating assets in Palawan, which is the country’s sentinel in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).