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.
PCGA Initiates Formation of the Asia Pacific Network of Search and Rescue Organizations
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.
NEED FOR COMPREHENSIVE AND INTEGRATED EFFORTS TO ASSIST CADETS IN UNDERGOING ONBOARD TRAINING
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.
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”!!!
COAST GUARD DISTRICT SOUTHEASTERN MINDANAO: It’s Vital Role In Protecting Security Interests in Davao Gulf
- 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.
