On August 23, Ambassador Haneda attended the commissioning ceremony of two 44m class patrol vessels and the handover ceremony of three 7m class high-speed boats at the Headquarters of the Philippine Coast Guard(PCG) in Manila. The ceremony was also attended by Executive Secretary Salvador C. Medialdea and PCG Commandant Elson E. Hermogino. In his speech, Secretary Medialdea expressed his deepest appreciation for support from Japan.
The two 44m patrol vessels, named as Bagacay and Cape Engaño respectively, are the 9th and 10th of 10 Multi-Role Response Vessels(MRRVS) that Japan provided with its soft loan amounting to 18.7 billion yen (8.5 billion pesos). The three 7m high-speed boats are the 8th, 9th and 10th of the thirteen high-speed boats provided under Japan’s grant aid worth 600 million yen (270 million peso).
The vessels and boats will enhance PCG’s capabilities for law enforcement, help in the prevention of maritime accident and in the conduct of quick rescue operation, and contribute to the overall improvement of maritime safety in the Philippines. The provision of these vessels and boats is expected to further strengthen strategic partnership between Japan and the Philippines.
