Latest news with #PCG
GMA Network
14 hours ago
- General
- GMA Network
PCG: 6 Pinoy seafarers rescued after landing craft sinks off Romblon
Six Filipino crew members of Landing Craft Tank (LCT) San Juan Bautista are safe after the vessel sank in the waters between Romblon and Sibuyan Island last Monday, June 30, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said on Wednesday. The PCG said the Filipino crew members were rescued at around 12:40 a.m. and were in good condition. The LCT San Juan Bautista had a cargo of 2,500 liters of marine diesel when it departed from Guihulngan Port, Negros Oriental on Saturday, June 28 bound for drydocking in Navotas City, the PCG said. The Coast Guard District Southern Tagalog (CGDSTL), however, assured that the risk of environmental damage caused by the sunken vessel is low. 'Based on the PCG's initial assessment, the risk of environmental damage in Southern Tagalog is low since the fuel is a light petroleum product that should dissipate quickly. The estimated 360-foot depth minimizes coral reef impact, and natural processes like dispersion and biodegradation further reduce the likelihood of significant shoreline or marine ecosystem damage,' CGDSTL said in a statement. Further, CGDSTL said the sea remains clear based on the aerial surveillance conducted at around 6:30 a.m. on Tuesday. 'We have alerted local fisherfolk and coastal barangays and, together with the LGU of Romblon and the DENR, we have conducted coastal security and seaborne patrols to monitor traces of oil sheens. As we speak, no foul odor was detected along the coastline and nearby waters,' the CGDSTL added. —Vince Angelo Ferreras/RF, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
7 days ago
- Business
- GMA Network
DOF OKs donation of seized gasoline to PCG
The Department of Finance (DOF) said Thursday it has approved the donation of 1,251.68 liters of seized gasoline to the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG). In a statement, the DOF said Finance Secretary Ralph Recto gave the thumbs up for the donation of seized fuel to the PCG in 'support the country's maritime safety and security operations.' The 1,251.68 liters of gasoline were forfeited by the Bureau of Customs (BOC) pursuant to Section 1113 of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA) for violating fuel marking regulations. Fuel marking, which involves injecting chemical identifiers into tax-paid oil products, is being carried out under the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Act to curb the smuggling of petroleum products. The donation of the seized gasoline was in line with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s 'directive to intensify the fight against smuggling and strengthen national security.' 'This donation not only shows our commitment to bolstering our defense sector, but is a clear warning to all businesses that any illicit act will not go unpunished. Hinding hindi namin palalampasin ang anumang panlalamang at iligal na gawain (We will not tolerate illegal activities),' said Recto. Section 1141 of the CMTA authorizes the donation of goods subject to disposition to another government agency, upon the approval of the Secretary of Finance, according to the DOF. — Ted Cordero/RSJ, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
25-06-2025
- Politics
- GMA Network
PCG strengthens regional maritime ties with Japan, US in trilateral exercise
The Philippine Coast Guard vessel BRP Teresa Magbanua (MRRV-9701) docks at Pier 13 in Port Area, Manila on Wednesday, June 25, 2025, after participating in the 2nd Trilateral Maritime Exercise. DANNY PATA The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has reaffirmed its commitment to regional maritime safety and security through the successful completion of a joint trilateral maritime exercise with the Japan Coast Guard (JCG) and the US Coast Guard (USCG) in Kagoshima, Japan. The PCG vessel BRP Teresa Magbanua (MRRV-9701) arrived at the Port of Manila on Wednesday morning following its participation in the 2nd Trilateral Maritime Exercise which had drills that aimed to strengthen cooperation among allied maritime forces in the Indo-Pacific. The joint exercise, held in alignment with the directive of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., featured several key operations, including a communication exercise (COMMEX), search and rescue exercise (SAREX), fire fighting exercise (FFEX), photo exercise (PHOTOEX), and exercise on transfer of personnel. Welcoming the 123-member Coast Guard delegation was Rear Admiral Hostillo Arturo Cornelio, PCG deputy commandant for administration, who represented PCG Commandant Admiral Ronnie Gil L. Gavan. 'This trilateral exercise is a demonstration of solidarity and shared commitment among partner nations. Through activities like these, we not only enhance our capabilities but also reinforce trust and understanding between our Coast Guards,' the PCG said in a statement. The joint maritime drills emphasized interoperability, allowing the three nations to simulate coordinated responses to maritime emergencies and natural disasters. Beyond tactical readiness, the exercise also provided an avenue for exchanging best practices, improving operational coordination, and reinforcing the shared goal of maintaining safety, security, and stability across Indo-Pacific waters. The initiative underscores the Philippines' strategic focus on maritime cooperation amid growing regional challenges, particularly in contested waters. It follows a series of similar engagements with regional and global allies, affirming the country's resolve to uphold rules-based order and freedom of navigation. The PCG has expressed gratitude to both Japan and the United States for their continued support and partnership, noting that future collaborative efforts are underway to sustain momentum and deepen maritime ties. —Sherylin Untalan/KG, GMA Integrated News
Yahoo
21-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Our View: Privatization of Adult Protective Services troubling
Privatization has a role in helping governments reduce costs. The Public Consulting Group, a Boston-based firm, has contracts across America to assist local governments with implementing health, human services and education programs. In our state, PCG-Indiana, as it is known, has made millions — nearly $35 million from the Department of Education alone — by working with such agencies as Indiana's Family and Social Services Administration, the Department of Workforce Development and the state's Department of Child Services. It is not unusual for PCG-Indiana to evaluate programs and offer a list of best practices to use. In the past few years, the firm has worked with FSSA's Division of Aging, which has, as one of its missions, the goal of preventing adults 18 and older from being victims of abuse, neglect and exploitation. That is the role of Adult Protective Services, which has investigators working out of 15 units based in the offices of county prosecutors through an agreement with the Indiana Prosecuting Attorneys Council. The Madison County prosecutor's office covers a seven-county area with five investigators. But the contract between FSSA and the Indiana Prosecuting Attorneys Council will expire at the end of June. So, with familiarity of the Division of Aging's operation, it is little surprise that PCG was chosen to fulfill another Aging Division contract. However, the surprise is in the three-year, $19 million contract, which will shift the operation of Adult Protective Services to PCG. Some local prosecutors are concerned about the loss of local control over Adult Protective Services. The new contract, under which PCG will farm out responsibilities to a market research firm, a staffing firm and another consulting firm, came as the state faces a budget shortfall. There were also signs of discord among prosecutors. Prior to the 2024 legislative session, some prosecutors told FSSA they would not renew their Adult Protective Services commitment. In turn, legislators permitted FSSA to contract with groups that could provide protective services. But that arrangement didn't provide consistency around the state. In 2023, Adult Protective Services units across Indiana received 20,990 service calls resulting in 11,635 cases. The remaining reports were resolved by phone or referred to other agencies. That year, there were 1,903 substantiated claims made for neglect or self-neglect. There is a definite, critical need for government-funded Adult Protective Services. It is unfortunate that prosecutors, perhaps at the misstep of only a few, have lost control and uniformity in the process. Based on PCG's record of serving as an intermediary between funding sources and state programs, it also seems that PCG might better be suited to making assessments and recommendations. PCG might not be equipped to field 20,000 calls, let alone respond with immediacy, compassion and competency in providing protections to local communities. Privatization has a role in helping governments reduce costs; however, the responsibility of protecting Hoosiers would be better fulfilled by organizations trained to safeguard the vulnerable.
GMA Network
20-06-2025
- GMA Network
PH accuses China ships of aggressive maneuvers in Scarborough Shoal
The Philippines accused Chinese Coast Guard ships on Friday of carrying out aggressive maneuvers and targeting its fisheries vessels with water cannons while they were delivering supplies to Filipino fishermen at the disputed Scarborough Shoal on Friday. One of the four Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) vessels involved in the mission was briefly struck by a water cannon, while another evaded being hit, the Philippine Coast Guard said in a statement. ''At approximately 10 a.m., BRP Datu Taradapit faced aggressive maneuvers from the Chinese Coast Guard vessel CCG-4203, which approached within 600 yards and fired a water cannon from 15.6 nautical miles southwest of Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal,'' the PCG said. ''Despite these aggressive actions, including blocking maneuvers and a water cannon attack that briefly struck the port quarter of BRP Datu Taradapit, the vessel adeptly maneuvered away to avoid significant damage. At 10:30 a.m., CCG-3105 targeted BRP Datu Tamblot with a water cannon from a distance of 18.1 nautical miles southeast of the shoal, but the attack missed its mark,'' it added. The PCG said it monitored six China Coast Guard vessels, two PLA Navy warships, and multiple Chinese maritime militia vessels during the operation. It also said the BFAR was able to distribute fuel subsidies to over 20 local fishing boats. ''Despite the unprofessional and illegal actions of the Chinese Coast Guard, which endangered Filipino crew members and fishermen, BFAR vessels remained resolute in their mission to protect local fishing boats,'' the PCG said. Scarborough Shoal, which is also referred to as Bajo de Masinloc or Panatag Shoal, is a triangular coral reef formation that surrounds a lagoon and is famed for its rich marine resources. The shoal is located 124 nautical miles off Masinloc, Zambales, and is considered within the Philippines' 200-nautical mile exclusive economic zone, based on the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). In 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague ruled in favor of the Philippines over China's claims in the South China Sea, saying that it had "no legal basis." China refused to recognize the ruling. — with a report from Reuters/VBL, GMA Integrated News
