
More than 4,000 recruits of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) officially started their intense training at various regional centers nationwide to be part of the organization.
PCG spokesperson Rear Adm. Armando Balilo said the recruits comprised 400 Coast Guard Officer's Course (CGOC) trainees under Class 30 and 3,820 Coast Guard Non-Officer's Course (CGNOC) trainees under Classes 100 to 107.
The trainees simultaneously took oath at different PCG Regional Training Centers (RTC) in Bataan, Taguig, Misamis Oriental, Aurora, Capiz, La Union, Masbate, and Zamboanga last Oct. 12.
The training will last for six months and will focus on drills, basic soldiery, and Coast Guard customs and traditions.
"There will also be a series of functional training on maritime security, maritime law enforcement, maritime safety, maritime search and rescue, and marine environmental protection," Balilo said.
The recruits passed a comprehensive medical evaluation and health assessment to ensure they were "physically fit" to join the PCG training before officially becoming Coast Guardians.
Meanwhile, an additional 300 trainees will also begin training at the PCG Regional Training Center Dolores in Eastern Visayas on the third week of October.
As of September, the PCG has a total workforce of approximately 30,000 and it is targeting to further surpass it by the end of 2023.