Coast Guard Commandant Admiral Wilfredo Tamayo has expressed optimism that the ongoing modernization program of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) would further enhance its services and focuses on the needs of the fast-developing shipping sector.

In his address at the Aboitiz Transport System (ATS) annual vessel officers' conference, Admiral Tamayo has assured that the maritime stakeholders would be kept up-to-date with the current PCG's major programs and the reforms introduced by Republic Act 9993, otherwise known as the Philippine Coast Guard Law of 2009.

Tamayo explained that the PCG modernization program involves increases in personnel strength by training up to 1,000 new recruits annually, procurement of new helicopters and vessels which will relieve the workload of the thinly stretched fleet of modern 56-meter and 35-meter Search and Rescue (SAR) vessels and the development of well-equipped Coast Guard bases in Mactan, Cebu, in Laguindingan, Misamis Oriental, and Romblon.

These new bases will enable Coast Guard operating units to sustain presence in sea lanes traversed by some of the busiest shipping routes in the country, and cut response time by half as well as increase the range of search and rescue, marine environmental protection, and law enforcement operations, said Tamayo.

He also advised maritime stakeholders of the important reforms introduced by RA 9993 and the final stages of consultation leading to the approval of the law’s Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR).

One of the important features of this IRR is the power of the PCG to detain vessels upon discovery of defects and deficiencies that make voyage unsafe.

Tamayo is confident that the reforms introduced by RA 9993 will raise the country’s maritime safety record which presently shows 65% of maritime incidents involving passenger vessels which ended up sinking due to serious mechanical failures and gross negligence of crew members.

In describing the PCG’s resolve to meet its responsibilities in its expanded role under RA 9993, Tamayo pointed out the improvements of the facilities and working systems of the Coast Guard Operations Center which successfully passed the audit conducted by the Anglo-Japanese-American (AJA) Registrars Maritime last July 28, 2010, paving the way for the center’s certification with ISO 9001:2009 standards.

This development attests to the command’s effort to raise the standards of PCG public service to world class level, said Tamayo.