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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider PCG readies deployable response groups for disaster response

PCG readies deployable response groups for disaster response

Published Jun 15, 2025 10:32 am
Members of the deployable response group (DRG) of the Philippine Coast Guard - District NCR-Central Luzon prepare to assist in the evacuation of communities affected by the onslaught of Typhoon Karding in Metro Manila and other nearby provinces on September 25, 2022. (File photo: PCG)
Members of the deployable response group (DRG) of the Philippine Coast Guard - District NCR-Central Luzon prepare to assist in the evacuation of communities affected by the onslaught of Typhoon Karding in Metro Manila and other nearby provinces on September 25, 2022. (File photo: PCG)
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has prepared its deployable response groups (DRGs) across its 16 districts nationwide to enhance its disaster response capabilities this typhoon season.
Commander Michael John Encina, deputy spokesperson of the PCG, said the DRGs are composed of coast guard personnel trained in water search and rescue (WASAR) operations.
“The deployable response group of the Philippine Coast Guard is our quick response team in our 16 districts all over the country,” Encina said in a radio interview over DZBB on Sunday, June 15.
“They are usually deployed during the typhoon season. As we’ve studied previously, we’re being visited by almost 20 typhoons within the year. We identified the ‘hot zone’ or flooding areas for their forward deployment,” he added.
Areas of concentration for the deployment of DRGs include major ports in Manila, Batangas, Cebu, Zamboanga, and General Santos City.
PCG Commandant, Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan ordered the reactivation of the DRGs to assist local government units (LGUs), particularly in conducting preemptive evacuation and rescue operations amid the rainy season.
Aside from rescue swimmers, the DRGs are also composed of medically trained personnel as well as coast guard auxiliaries.
What happens is that the PCG deploys the DRGs two or three days before a typhoon hits coastal municipalities or other areas susceptible to flooding, so they can communicate with local government officials to conduct preemptive evacuation. Encina called this social engineering.
The DRGs are also equipped with various rescue assets such as rubber boats, aluminum boats, high-speed response boats (HSRBs), lifelines, and other rescue equipment.
Aside from typhoon response, Encina said the DRGs are also equipped to respond to other calamities such as earthquakes and landslides, among others.
Recently, the PCG partnered with the local government of Mandaluyong City to train its disaster and risk reduction management council (DRRMC) personnel in responding to different catastrophes.
Meanwhile, the PCG said it has also intensified inspections in cargo and passenger ships in ports to ensure public safety at sea.

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