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Monday, 11 November 2019 11:31

Ilocanos Undergo Rescue Training

Coast Guard District Northern Luzon rolled up its sleeves to rise up the challenge of teaching civilians about safe water rescue, the work it knows best. The 4-day training title water search and rescue (WaSAR) was sponsored by the LGU of Vigan City, Ilocos Sur and was participated in by twenty (20) rescue students from 29 July 01 august 2009.

There were four (4) basic modules which are basic swimming strokes. Life saving techniques, rubber boat operators and basic life support. Presentation materials and verbal instructions were mainly in Filipino or Ilocano which was truly appreciated by the students because it facilitated easy understanding on their part. The effort of the CDGNLZ training staff truly paid of as proven  the post training assessment by the LGUs and students that the training was conducted in a manner that is “non militarized ”and quite cheerful which contrary to their initial expectation, made learning all the more enjoyable and effective.

This is the third WaSAR training held within region1 over the years which has fortified the presence of coast guard trained water securers in Pangasinan, Ilocos Norte and now in Ilocos sur. The ideals for CDGNLZ to have “stand-by partners” at the level of the community during disaster emergency that can provide a swift response during the “golden hour” when casualties may still be rescued alive. Since it imparts capabilities to save lives it impowers local rescuers and coordination of response be easily established even prior to the arrival of responding SOG personnel in the area.

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Last August 2008, I led the delegation of Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary which attended the US Coast Guard Auxialiary’s annual National Convention in my new capacity as PCGA National Director. It was there, during the International Round Table discussion, that the US Coast Guard Auxiliary presented the task of forming an alliance of Search and Rescue Organizations in the Asia Pacific Region. COMMO Ray Campbell, National Commodore of the Australian Volunteer Coast Guard Association (AVCGA) and I, accepted the challenge and committed that we would try to form the alliance before the next USCGA National Convention in August 2009.

Three months after, on November 2008, being invited to attend the Australian Volunteer Coast Guard Association’s annual convention, I led four other flag officers to Brisbane, Australia. There we signed a Memorandum of Agreement with the AVCGA, similar to what we have with the USCGA. After the convention, we had a meeting where we agreed to organize an Asia Pacific conference tentatively to be held in February or March of 2009 in Manila, Philippines.

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The UPHSD College of Maritime Education is devising all measures to effectively assist its maritime cadets to enable them to undergo their on board training at the earliest possible time. 

While most cadets prefer to be accommodated on board international vessels for the conduct of their shipboard or on board training (OBT), domestic vessels likewise provide significant number of OBT berths for maritime cadets. 

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Friday, 25 October 2019 12:50

Semper Superne Nitens

As it is told, the speed of the leader determines the rate of the pack! With a flamboyant and resolute Commandant, ADMIRAL Wilfredo D Tamayo, the Coast Guard Special Operations Group (CGSOG) could not afford to slow down. Its fleet of rubber boats is always warmed up and the legs of its frogmen are always in shape. Its distinguished lead officers are always on alert to receive direct instructions from the Fleet Commander or the Commandant himself.

Taking the cue from the innovative character of the Commandant, who seems to grasp fully well the two great laws of life: “Growth and Decay”, the CGSOG slowly restructure and comes up with dynamic innovations to showcase its relevance to the general public. On several occasions, the Commandant pointed out that the PCG has evolved into a multi-tasked, multi faceted and multi-roled organization. The changes or “growth” as we may consider of course are not mere capricious whims but rather natural forces adhered to, otherwise “decay” would engulf our organization. These pronouncements have inspired the Group to come up with its innovative programs and be critical with it coined and adopted motto “Semper Superne Nitens” which simply means “always striving upwards.

Restructuring and Reorganizing the SOG. The need for reorganization in the Philippine Coast Guard was best detailed in the manuscript entitled “PCG Rationalization for CY-2007” There, the Secretary of DOTC signed a memorandum which serves as the guidelines to effect the rationalization plan of the PCG organization and TOE. Laid down as its basis, the Executive Order No. 366 dated October 2004, a presidential directive for all agencies of the Executive Branch to review respective mandates, missions, objectives, functions, programs, projects, systems and procedures and identifying areas for improvement within Departments and government agencies. In line with this, the CGSOG submitted a Three (3) Year Master Plan for CY 2009-2011, an aggressive but doable master plan focusing primarily on improving organizational structure and the needed facilities and equipment for the Group.

The Group has identified four major areas of concerns were it is expected to deliver, these are; Search and Rescue, Counter-Terrorism, Explosive Ordinance Disposal, and Training. These major areas of concerns are the primordial factors that will particularly in TRAINING and EQUIPMENT enhancement.

In summary, the restructuring and reorganization sought by this Group includes; a) upgrading of SOG detachments to Special Operations Unit (SOU); b) creation of Type Units (EOD, SARU, SOG School) to cater on the four major areas of concerns following the creation of the CG Anti-Terrorism Unit as Counter Terrorism Unit as Counter Terrorist Focused Group; c) Career Pattern for Officer’s and EP; d) Policy on the Utilization and Deployment of CGSOG personnel; e) Doctrines Development on SOG operations.

The desired facility and equipage recommended to be included in the PCG Plans and Programs are the following: a) billeting, training site, bomb storage, slip way; b) Basic Diving Equipment; c) Deep Diving Systems; d) Underwater Communications; e) Counter-Terrorism Equipment; f) EOD Equipment; g) SAR equipment; h) Mobility for Both land and water.

Innovative Program. As the motto suggests, the CGSOG would like to pursue other technical skills related to deep diving such as use of surface supplied diving system, nitrox diving, and tri-mixed gas and intensive rescue course. These are just among the innovative programs from the Group aggressively pursues. This also includes compliance to RA 1792 which calls for integration of women as equal partners of men in nation building. Thus, the SOG now opens its door for female counter parts to train for projected Rescue Diver Course. Formal requests for training on airborne, sniper course and the female rescue divers course are already on process. Underwater works such as welding, thickness gauging, and hull inspection were  also considered for possible specialized training. The chief program initiator for most of this innovative project is the Deputy Commander of the Group.

In a jest, the words “always striving upwards” does not only connotes keeping ones head afloat in order not to drown oneself in survival swimming, but more importantly, in its deepest sense, your Coast Guard SOG selected the motto foremost express its aspiration for reform efficiency and better service to the public. It aims to advocate among its members that unrelenting passion to always strive to be the best, either individually or even working as a small team during actual operations. It seeks to develop a culture of excellence among the “Frogs Family”.

Other than the usual HOOYAHH, the CGSOG will now will now chant “Semper Superne Nitens”!!!

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  1. INTRODUCTION
    • CGDSEM AOR

The area of responsibility of Coast Guard Southeastern Mindanao (CGDSEM) covers the coastal waters of the province of Surigao Del Sur in the north stretching towards west to the province of Saranggani and down to the Island of Balut in the south. It also includes important bodies of water engulfing Davao region, namely; Davao Gulf, Malalag Bay of Davao Del Sur and Mayo Bay of Davao Oriental. It has a coastline extending to about 1,746 kilometers and sprawling across a water jurisdiction of about 13,747 square kilometers. Its coastal areas provide settings to six (6) cities, 48 municipalities and 1,160 coastal barangays.

  • DAVAO GULF

Davao Gulf cuts into Davao Region from the Celebes Sea. It is surrounded by four provinces of said region comprising of Davao Del Sur, Davao Del Norte, Compostela Valley and Davao Oriental. A cluster of islands can be found in the gulf collectively known as the Islands Garden City of Samal. The gulf is a major fishing ground and its ranked 10th among the 24 fisheries statistical areas of the country. It also serves as the center of marine biodiversity in the region that is rich in variety of marine life. On the gulf’s west coast sprawl a number of ports serving the local and international vessels. Record shows that an average of 21, 500 vessels and about 1760 of which are foreign call the different ports of Davao. These different ports link trade and commerce to other ports of the world such as those in Hong Kong, Singapore, China, Australia, Middle East, Europe and USA. The gulf is also provides the environment for local water transport as there about 54 established routes crisscrossing within its waters and serving the transportation needs of the surrounding communities . There are about 343 clusters of residential communities situated along the coasts of Davao Gulf taking advantage of the convenience and economy of water transport. It is by these features that the gulf can be described as a very ecologically, economically and socially important area to Davao region.

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Education, has been often defined, “is any act or experience that has a formative effect on the mind, character or physical ability of an individual”. Education also is a process of educating or teaching and its only purpose is to teach a student how to live his life – by developing his mind and equipping him to deal with reality.

Integral in achieving the Command’s goal is the development of a Coast Guard wide management culture for all the Officers and personnel. And as the Philippines Coast Guard diligently performs its mandated tasks of ensuring safety, security and protecting the marine environment, it also has to maintain its competitiveness with other agencies as well as other institutions. Further, with the realization of the need for improving the student’s capabilities as well as the quality of instructors, a comprehensive analysis and hands-on alignment of educational practices across all levels and leadership of its personnel was developed.

Improving the PCG’s efficiency through education, training, structures, and system development is the key towards national and global competitiveness. This approach enables the organization to efficiently achieve its set of objectives.

Local Training. On the current courses, students are required meet the mandated proficiency mark set by the Coast Guard Education and Training Doctrine and Development Research Center (DDRC). It also contains the instructional practice being used and how those practices affect a student’s performance.

Realizing that this command needs some improvement particularly on special and technological aspect, as well as the educational trends in order to be globally competitive, there is a need to identify the best practices in instruction.

The PCG recently held a simultaneous convening for the various courses being conducted by the Command. Theses include, inter alia, The Coast Guard Officers Course Class(CGPC) 10 – 09, Candidate Coast Guardsman Course Class(CGMC) 18-09 abroad Coast Guard Training Facility, Lower Bicutan, Taguig City, the Basic Underwater Special Operation Course (BUSOC), K9 Handlers Course at Coast Guard Base Farola ,Maritime Security (MARSEC) at Coast Guard District Northern Luzon, Maritime Safety Administration (MARSAD) at CG District Western Visayas, Coast Guard Staff Course(CGSC) at CGETC, CG Base Farola, General Operation Technician Course(GOTC) at CGWCEISS, Mandaluyong City , Aids to Navigation Course(ATON) at HMSSC, Sangley Point, Cavite City.

Currently, there are also tow(2) officers taking – up Master in Ship Management at PMMA Graduate School, two (2) officers taking up Public  Safety Officers Senior Executive Course at NPC, Fort Bonifacio, and tow (2) Enlisted Personnel taking up Public Safety Investigation  and Detection Course at General Headquarters (GHQ).

As future leaders, PCG officers as well as senior enlisted personnel need to have the full capabilities particularly with planning and decision-making Leadership capabilities as well as management skills need to be given emphasis as preparation for bigger responsibility.

FOREIGN TRAINING. With the goal of being the best among others and being globally competitive, it is essential that the specialized skills and trainings attained by individuals are shared and applied to the organization.

In today’s complex environment and much competition from various counterparts abroad, PCH personnel must possess efficiency in the different aspects of learning in order to be equally competitive with other students. Fluency in the international language is beneficial and can be considered an advantage particularly in better comprehension and communication.

The Office CG-12 for Education and Training is tasked to recommend and select able and efficient candidates and PCG’s proponents to the various training abroad through the Education and Training Board (ETB) that assesses requirements, eligibility and determines the personnel’s training needs.

The personnel’s capability to adjust to a foreign culture, as well as, foreign language capability reaches beyond the roles of linguistics, intelligence, analysts. Theses delivery strategies as well as the inherent professionalism, conduct, leadership skills, effective performance and competencies are key contributors in achieving quality output and identifying the future developments.

By providing continuous personnel improvement through the various PCG leadership development programs, the Command is able to enhance the professional management quality of its personnel.

Read more: https://tourofdutyphil.com/44-education-and-training-the-pch-s-key-for-global-competitiveness

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Wednesday, 25 September 2019 11:59

THE PHILIPPINE COAST GUARD ACADEMY

When the Philippine Coast Guard separated from the Philippine Navy in 1998, its initial Corps of Officers is composed of men and women with multifarious backgrounds and areas of expertise. In order to cope with the personnel and material growth of the organization, the PCG started its own Officer procurement and Enlisted Personnel recruitment in 2000. The Coast Guard Education and Training Command served the purpose of providing the basic training and education needs of the new Officers and Enlisted Personnel. They were also cross-trained with other maritime training institutions to further enhance their knowledge and skills, thus allowing them to cope with the ever-developing standardization requirements of the maritime industry.

Yet, the continous growth of local and international shipping – the PCG’s main clientele demands that the organization further grow and expand in terms of men and materiel. Thus,.in its amended 15-Year Development Program, the PCG intends to reach a troop ceiling of 25,000 Officers and Enlisted Personnel by year 2020.

Giving emphasis to the critical role of Officers in steering the helm of leadership of the organization as envisioned by SECRETARY LEANDRO R MENDOZA, the Secretary of the Department of Transportation and Communications recently gave the impetus for the creation of a Philippine Coast Guard Academy and for such to be established within 5 years after its conception. The Philippine Coast Guard Academy is envisioned to become the source of Coast Guard Officers who will then help steer the organization to the next generation and beyond.

Having been granted the imprimatur, ADMIRAL WILFREDO D TAMAYO PCG Commandant, PCG sought the assistance of RADM FIDEL E DINOSO, President of the Philippine Merchant Marine Academy which is the country’s premier maritime training institution. With the proposed Memorandum of Understanding between PCG and PMMA, the latter agreed to accommodate 70 PCG Cadets annually for the next 2 years to join their Baccalaureate programs in Marine Transportation and Marine Engineering. This arrangement was reached considering necessary infrastructure, facility, faculty and support systems for the envisioned PCG Academy are being set up and organized. With this arrangement, the PCG shall pay the PMMA the full scholarship fee for each PCG Cadet trained by the PMMA.

Meanwhile, PCG Cadets who will be joining the PMMA Cadetship program shall benefit from the IMO-standard training facilities of the PMMA. The PCG is thus, assured of professional competence upon their completion of their courses and upon their eventual entry into the PCG service.

Read more: https://tourofdutyphil.com/43-the-philippine-coast-guard-academy

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