Commissioning Ceremony of 3rd Japan-Provided Multi-Role Response Vessel

The 3rd Multi-Role Response Vessel (MRRV) provided by the government of Japan through its Official Development Assistance (ODA) arrived and was commissioned on March 7, 2017. The Arriving & Commissioning Ceremony was held on the same date in the Port of Manila attended by Ambassador Kazuhide Ishikawa together with Secretary Arthur P. Tugade. Speaker of House of Representatives Pantaleon D. Alvarez also attended as the Guest of Honor. Secretary Tugade and Speaker Alvarez mentioned the importance of the MRRV for the capacity building of PCG.

The MRRV “Malapascua” is the third of the ten (10) 40-meter MRRVs to be provided for the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG).  This Project aims to improve the PCG’s capabilities to quickly and appropriately address maritime operation along Philippine coasts such as patrol, search and rescue, and law enforcement. The remaining seven (7) vessels will be delivered serially by 2018.

Japan has long supported the initiatives of the PCG.  Other projects include the provision of rescue equipment, training facilities, communication systems, and maritime safety equipment.  In 2014, Japan extended Y1.152 billion grant aid to PCG to install a satellite-based communication system and Vessel Traffic Management System (VTMS) to manage vessel movement and port traffic.  An expert from the Japan Coast Guard has also been dispatched to PCG as part of technical cooperation assistance.  Through these ODA projects, it is expected that the strategic partnership between Japan and the Philippines will be further fostered and strengthened.

[Related Link]
JICA Press Release: Signing of Japanese ODA Loan Agreement with the Republic of the Philippines — Contributing to Maritime Safety Capability Improvement of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) —
http://www.jica.go.jp/english/news/press/2013/131216_01.html