DOTr-PCG, Mitshubishi Shipbuilding Conduct Kick-off Meeting for Five 97-M Multi-role Response Vessels

09 September 2026

PCG will add five 97M MRRV (image: PCG)

The Department of Transportation - Philippines–Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and Mitsubishi Shipbuilding Co., Ltd. (MHIMSB) formally commenced the implementation of the Maritime Safety Capability Improvement Project (MSCIP) for the Philippine Coast Guard, Phase III through a kick-off meeting held at the Mitsubishi Shipbuilding Shimonoseki Shipyard, from August 24 to 28, 2026.

The meeting marked the official start of the project’s implementation phase, covering the detailed design, construction, testing, and eventual delivery of five 97-meter Multi-Role Response Vessels (MRRVs) for the PCG.

The DOTr-PCG delegation was headed by DOTr Assistant Secretary for Maritime, Villamor Ventura S Plan. “The construction and delivery of five 97-meter Multi-Role Response Vessels is a significant investment in the Philippine Coast Guard’s capabilities.” He added that the project will strengthen the country’s ability to protect lives, promote maritime safety and security, and respond to the growing demands of the maritime domain.

Currently PCG operates two 97m vessel BRP Teresa Magbanua (MRRV-9701) and BRP Melchora Aquino (MRRV-9702) (photo: PCG)

Recognizing the complexity and strategic importance of the undertaking, the DOTr-PCG and Mitsubishi Shipbuilding also focused on the early identification and management of potential technical, contractual, scheduling, and operational risks to help ensure that issues are addressed before they affect major project milestones.

The five additional 97-meter MRRVs are expected to substantially strengthen the PCG’s capacity to conduct sustained and extended maritime operations across the country’s maritime domain while supporting its mandated functions, including maritime safety and security, search and rescue, maritime law enforcement, environmental protection, and other multi-role maritime operations.

Beyond increasing the number of major vessels in the Coast Guard Fleet (CG Fleet), MSCIP Phase 3 represents another significant step in the continuing modernization of the PCG and in strengthening its ability to maintain a sustained and credible presence across the country’s vast maritime domain.

With the formal commencement of MSCIP Phase 3, the DOTr-PCG and Mitsubishi Shipbuilding reaffirmed their commitment to close coordination and sustained cooperation toward the timely, quality-compliant, and successful delivery of the five MRRVs in accordance with the project’s contractual, technical, and operational requirements.

The acquisition of the five 97-meter MRRVs supports the Bagong Pilipinas initiative in continuing efforts to build a modern, capable, and mission-ready PCG that can sustain operations across the country’s maritime domain; safeguard lives and property at sea; enforce Philippine maritime laws; protect the country’s maritime interests and sovereign rights consistent with international law; and respond effectively to increasingly complex modern maritime challenges.

(PCG)