DAVAO CITY, May 24 (PIA) The Department of Transportation and Communication lauded the Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary for its assistance in the work of the Philippine Coast Guard on saving lives in land and at sea.
Speaking during the opening ceremony of the 29th PCGA National Convention held in Davao City Thursday, Rear Admiral Cecil Chen, commander of the PCG-National Capital Region read the message of Usec Bucayan citing the relevance of upholding public safety especially at sea.
He lauded the PCGA as a very reliable partner of the PCG.
“Your partnership with the PCG in maritime search and rescue, public safety, marine environmental protection is worthy of emulation. Thus, the PCG is lucky to have you, notwithstanding the challenges facing the coast guard, like lack of manpower during rescue operations, and at times equipment,” Bucayan said in a statement read by Chen.
Chen represented Secretary Joseph Emilio Aguinaldo Abaya of the Department of Transportation and Communication, Undersecretary Julianito Bucayan, Jr. and Rear Admiral Rodolfo Isorena, commandant of the PCG who were all called to a meeting by the president.
Vice Admiral Danilo Cabalde, national director of the PCGA urged all district members to share among themselves the best practices.
He said given the distinction among the districts, they have plenty to impart in the enhancement of skills among its members.
“With the support of the PCGA and the national leadership of the Philippine Coast Guard, we have a long way to go in the promotion of safety at sea, rescue operation and environment protection,” Cabalde said.
He said working with the PCGA gives self-fulfilment and ribbons from the PCG in recognition of all efforts relative to the passion to serve.
(A total of 12 districts of the Philippine Coast Guard and the Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary, respectively gathered in Davao City Thursday for a three-day 29th convention from May 23 to 25 with the theme, “Mission Possible: Developing Importance.
Commodore Beethoven Sur, director of the Coast Guard Auxiliary District Southeastern Mindanao, said the convention is an annual activity where all Coast Guard auxiliaries nationwide meet and evaluate ways to improve it services.
He said this year’s gathering is aimed to enhance the importance of the mission to save lives in land and sea, dedicating themselves to true service.
Sur said the PCGA assists in realizing the mission of the Philippine Coast Guard in marine search and rescue, maritime safety, marine environmental protection through planting of shoreline with mangrove trees, and youth development program.
“Every year, all twelve districts meet to evaluate the programs being implemented yearly, and come up ways to improve them,” he said.
Sur said it is a great pride for the PCG/PCGA Southeastern Mindanao District to host the convention, which is being attended by five to six hundred members all over the country.
He also underscored the relevance of the best practices of the PCG/PCGA Southeastern Mindanao District in search and rescue, particularly during the recent floods that hit Davao City in 2013 and 2011, and the onslaught of the typhoon Sendong in Northern Mindanao in 2011 and typhoon Pablo that hit Davao Region in December 2012, in cooperation with the Emergency Response Center Central 911.
“A squadron of volunteers from the PCGA is dedicated to do rescue operation in times of contingency, especially those stranded in the flood, given the availability of equipment and level of competence to do rescue work,” Sur said.
He said the PCGA conducts basic swimming lessons and rescue operation to enhance the knowledge of every member in responding to distress calls.
Sur said that every PCGA is on alert for deployment in emergency situation.
“We do rescue operation and then proceed to relief operation,” he said.
Commodore George Ursabia, director of the Philippine Coast Guard Southeastern Mindanao said the PCGA offers great help to the Coast Guard since it lacks personnel to do its mission.
He said that there are situations where the PCG cannot do its task alone so it needs the support of stakeholders like the PCGA.
“We consider the PCGA as our force-multiplier. They are volunteers to assist the coast guard. We appreciate their spirit of volunteerism where they offer not only their talent and resources but also their time,” he said (PIA XI-Joey Sem G. Dalumpines)
No comments:
Post a Comment