PIA Press Release
Sunday, January 29, 2012Coast Guard to get P1.6 billion more for new equipmentby Jerome Carlo R. PaunanMANILA, Jan. 29 (PIA) -- The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) will be getting an additional P1.6 billion from the Department of Energy’s (DoE) Gas-Malampaya Collection to boost its modernization efforts, a statement said over the weekend. The PCG said the amount is under the special account in the General Fund 151 of DoE. "It will go to the acquisition of assets and equipment such as ships, platforms, aircraft and air surveillance so that in the event our citizens are placed in a situation of danger while travelling the high seas, or within our inland waters, the agency can respond with the fast search, rescue and evacuation measures,” the PCG added. The budget will be funneled to a build-up program which includes the deployment of sovereign markers on areas of Philippine jurisdiction. Likewise, the fund will be used in the deployment of operational ships and aircraft for maritime surveillance and patrol operations. Moreover, the budget would also support the sensors capability enhancement, acquisition of small boats and capability upgrade for special operations units, command, control and communications enhancement, organization, training and maintenance of PCG district and stations, firepower upgrade for ships and additional capability requirements and support to Presidential security duties. (PCG/RJB/JCP-PIA NCR) |
