More equipment will be coming to the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG)
This is good news since the currently PCG cannot cope up with their mandate in securing the Philippine territory the
current inventory of assets.
A report yesterday from the Philippine
News Agency (PCG acquires French sea vessels for maritime security), that the
PCG has inked a deal with a French shipbuilding company for five shipping
vessels for maritime security. This is the first major vessel acquisition for
the PCG under President Rodrigo Duterte’s administration.
FPB 72 by OCEA is shown in the photo, that was constructed for the Nigerian Navy, the PCG will be acquiring 4 of this class for its continuing modernization.(photo credit to owner) |
Full report is quoted below:
MANILA -- The
Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has inked a deal Wednesday afternoon with a French
shipbuilding firm for the acquisition of five shipping vessels for maritime
security.
The contract
effectiveness agreement was signed by Department of Transportation (DOTr)
Undersecretary for Maritime Felipe Judan and OCEA director of maritime safety
and security Fabrice Weinbach and witnessed by Secretary Arthur Tugade and
French Embassy representative Laurent Estrade.
The signing
paved the way for the implementation of the Philippine Ports and Coast Guard
Capability Development Project. It also marks the first major vessel
acquisition for the PCG under the Duterte administration.
The project
involves the supply, delivery and maintenance of four brand new 24 meter fast patrol
boats (FPB) and one 84 meter offshore patrol vessels (OPV) to be purchased by
the DOTr for the use of the Coast Guard.
“The
acquisition of the vessels will enhance the capability of the PCG in performing
its functions on maritime security, safety, maritime search and rescue, marine
environmental protection as well as offshore patrol of the country’s exclusive
economic zone,” DOTr Assistant Secretary for Maritime Lino Dabi said in an
interview with the Philippine News Agency.
He said the sea
vessels may be deployed to deter piracy incidents in southern Mindanao and
defend the country’s territorial claims over the West Philippine Sea.
The French
government has provided a loan worth 97.03 million euros through Official
Development Assistance (ODA) using the remaining balance of the Greater
Maritime Access (GMA) RoRo Port Projects of the Arroyo administration.
Under the
agreement, supply of goods shall be made within 23 consecutive months with its
first delivery to be made on the first quarter of 2018. This will involve the
provision of four FPB 72 and 1 OPV 270.
The contract for the purchase of the sea vessels was signed on September 9,
2014 with OCEA and the then DOTC.
With the signing of the contract effectiveness agreement, this means that
certain conditions precedent for the coming into full force and effect of the
contract has already been completed.
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