Govt to Buy More Air Assets for PCG

09 November 2021

PCG Cessna Caravan 2081 (photo : PCG)

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) showcased its newest aerial asset, the Cessna Caravan 2081 to President Rodrigo Roa Duterte who led its commissioning into the Coast Guard service at the Port of Puerto Princesa, Palawan yesterday, 04 November 2021.

With a passenger capacity of 14 occupants, the said multi-role fixed-wing aircraft known as the "PCG 2081" can adapt to a wide variety of missions through its powerful turboprop engine, improved graphical interface, powerful hardware, higher resolution display, and added functionality for situational awareness.

It will be utilized by the Coast Guard Aviation Force (CGAF) during search and rescue (SAR) missions, maritime patrols, and surveillance operations in the West Philippine Sea, Kalayaan Island Group, and Southern Philippines.

The PCG 2081 will also take part in the safe and swift transport of COVID-19 vaccines in remote areas in support of the inoculation drive of the national government amid the global pandemic. (PCG)

PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday ordered the Department of Transportation to purchase more air assets for the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) to boost the country's maritime security and search and rescue operations.

In his speech during the inauguration of the PCG Kalayaan station in Palawan, Duterte said it is "very urgent" for the Coast Guard to get more air assets for "any purpose at all," including maritime security in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

"As we bolster our connectivity in Palawan, we also look into fortifying our maritime security in the area. But I would like to stress again that I'm reading this maritime security because I said I'm ordering Secretary (Arthur) Tugade to buy mga tatlong eroplano pa, so apat. Okey na 'yan. Apat para may pang-crash kayo na dalawa, may maiwan pa (Three more so that it would be four. That's fine already. Four so that you can crash two and there would still be left)," Duterte said.

"You need about four. One here. Then, you have to be in the Visayas for any purpose at all, be it evacuation, rescue, anything," he added.

The President said he is glad that the PCG continues to increase its presence in the WPS to protect Filipino fisherfolk in the area.

"As President, I assure you that we will uphold our territorial integrity no matter what the circumstance is," Duterte said.

"I am glad to know that the Philippine Coast Guard continues to be geared towards expanded presence in the West Philippine Sea and the Kalayaan Group to safeguard Filipino fishermen to venture into the sea for their daily livelihood," he added.

(Manila Times)