MANILA, Philippines — Following the conduct of the disaster workshop with delegates from the Australian Maritime Safety Agency (AMSA), the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Monday crafted a search and rescue (SAR) contingency plan aimed at accomplishing a virtual zero maritime accident.

Coast Guard chief Admiral Ramon Liwag expressed his gratitude to the Australian government, particularly the Australian Embassy, represented by Councilor for Transport Carrie-Anne Henderson and the AMSA officials, for assisting them in the training workshop. He said he hopes it would serve as a window for more cooperative endeavors and activities in the future not only in search and rescue but also in maritime security.

Liwag added that with the enactment of Republic Act 9993 or the Philippine Coast Guard Law of 2009, the country’s maritime law enforcement agency has been tasked to spearhead the crafting of the National Maritime Search and Rescue Contingency Plan.

Lt. Commander Algier Ricafrente, Coast Guard Public Affairs chief, said that in recognition of the importance of saving lives and properties at sea particularly vessels in distress, the PCG leadership emphasized that aside from the knowledge learned from the workshop, an important requisite for a successful search and rescue operation is the passion and sincerity of people involved.

The PCG spokesman said the recently-concluded training workshop would contribute to the immediate realization of the contingency plan requiring more than a unilateral effort and a cooperative action among concerned agencies.

“This activity also tests the collaboration and interoperability of participating agencies such as PCG, National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, Philippine Army, Philippine Navy, Philippine Air Force, Philippine National Police, and Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines,” Ricafrente said.