The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) inaugurated its newest training facility in Balagtas, Bulacan on Monday, Sept. 11, which was constructed through the help of the United States government to enhance the Philippines’ capability to address maritime security challenges.
The construction of the P250 million, two-storey Specialized Education and Technical Building will be used to professionalize the Coast Guard Fleet’s sailors and strengthen their capacity in protecting the country’s interests in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), said Vice Adm. Ronnie Gil Gavan, PCG deputy commandant for administration.
“Kailangan ito ng Philippine Coast Guard kasi lumalaki ang ating fleet at kailangan nating paghandaan lalo na ang mga taong magma-man ng ating mga barko (The Philippine Coast Guard needs this [facility] because our fleet is growing and we need to prepare our personnel who will man our ships),” Gavan said.
The PCG’s workforce is now 30,500-strong, according to Gavan, and he projected it to further increase up to 70,000 or 105,000 in the next few years.
Through the facility, the Coast Guard Fleet’s sailors will be able to undergo training on navigation, law enforcement, and maintenance of ships among others.
“They will have classroom instructions, may simulator tayo (we have a simulator). Mayroong laboratory (We have a laboratory) for the engine room. The salient point is that the US Coast Guard will be actively involved in doing the training here,” he added.
The ceremony was attended by US Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay Carlson, PCG spokesperson Rear Adm. Armando Balilo, and other PCG officers.
Meanwhile, the PCG further beefed up its workforce as 3,600 personnel took their oath to be part of the organization.
The newly-appointed Coast Guard non-officers were composed of 2,880 male and 720 female individuals.
PCG Commandant Adm. Artemio Abu spearheaded the oath-taking ceremony of the new personnel in Port Area, Manila also on Monday.
Simultaneous oath-taking ceremonies in various PCG districts were also held nationwide.
“You will be assigned countless tasks on top of your training and exercises to make you strong and prepare you for bigger and more challenging responsibilities,” Abu said.