The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on Monday received resources to augment its assets in protecting the country’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ) and bolster its search and rescue missions during calamities.
Joining First Lady and Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary (PCGA) Vice Admiral Liza Araneta Marcos, Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon witnessed Philippine Red Cross Chairman Dick Gordon turn over the PRC M/V Amazing Grace to PCG Commandant Ronnie Gil Gavan.
Billed as the PRC’s vessel which symbolizes humanitarian aid and maritime resilience, the M/V Amazing Grace was commissioned by the PRC as the country’s first humanitarian vessel built to provide emergency relief, medical assistance, and disaster response in the Philippines.
Sec. Dizon described the donation from PRC as an “act of love and respect to the PCG.”
Meanwhile, high-speed network provider Starlink and ride-sharing and delivery service Grab Philippines donated 100 units of Starlink Kits and two 8.8-meter Barracuda boats, respectively.
The Starlink kits will provide the PCG network high-speed network connectivity in remote maritime regions to carry out its vital missions, improve coordination during search and rescue operations, and enhance maritime safety activities.
Facilitated by the First Lady, the two 8.8-meter Barracuda boats, on the other hand, will be instrumental in strengthening the PCG’s efforts in coastal patrols, search and rescue, maritime law enforcement, and maritime environmental protection.
“Maraming salamat po, Tito Dick [Gordon], sa Red Cross, sa Grab, sa Starlink at sa inyong lahat po; Madam First Lady, thank you for always being there for the Philippine Coast Guard,” Sec. Dizon said.
𝐈𝐍 𝐏𝐇𝐎𝐓𝐎𝐒: 𝐌/𝐕 𝐀𝐌𝐀𝐙𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐆𝐑𝐀𝐂𝐄, 𝐀 𝐒𝐘𝐌𝐁𝐎𝐋 𝐎𝐅 𝐔𝐍𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐃𝐈𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐀𝐋 𝐒𝐄𝐑𝐕𝐈𝐂𝐄 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐋𝐎𝐕𝐄 𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐂𝐎𝐔𝐍𝐓𝐑𝐘
This is what Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Vince Dizon underscored during the symbolic turnover of the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) M/V Amazing Grace to Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) yesterday, 18 March 2025.
Led by the First Lady Louise Araneta-Marcos and also an Auxiliary Vice Admiral of the PCG, this significant milestone between the partnership of PRC and PCG will take humanitarian service and maritime security to new heights, embodying and affirming the words of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., “We are the people’s servant and not their Lord.”
The M/V Amazing Grace will redefine PCG’s operations, disaster relief efforts and maritime law enforcement, and strengthen the country’s capability to address distress situations across the archipelago.
Other assets turnovered to the PCG were two units of Barracuda RHIBS from Grab Philippines and 100 units of Starlink Kits, to provide timely and immediate response to emergencies in safeguarding our waters.
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