"This
project is part of government’s program to equip our forces with
necessary assets to protect the national marine interest. These 10 new
vessels will help the Coast Guard in its functions of maritime law enforcement,
search-and-rescue operations, and upholding maritime security within
Philippines seas,” said DOTC Secretary Jun Abaya.
The project, formally
called the Maritime Safety Capability Improvement Project, was awarded
by the transportation department to the Japan Marine United Corporation
(JMU) last week. It is being implemented as an Official Development
Assistance (ODA) project, via a tied loan extended by the Japan International
Cooperation Agency (JICA).
The loan facility covers P 7,373,700,000.00 out of the total project
of P 8,807,700,000.00. The balance will be sourced from the Philippine
counterpart of P 1,434,000,000.00.
Under the project terms, the MRRVs will be used by the PCG for the following
purposes:
-- Primary rescue vessels within the PCG Districts’ areas of responsibility
(AOR) when the extent of the disaster is beyond the capability of floating
assets deployed within the area
-- Assistance in the control of oil pollution and protection of the
marine environment
-- Enforcement of applicable maritime laws within the designated AOR,
particularly relating to illegal fishing and sea patrol
-- Service as platform for rapid response during relief operations in
the area
-- Transport of personnel and logistical support.
The MRRVs will be deployed to various PCG Districts across the country,
including Manila, La Union, and Puerto Prinsesa.
JMU’s winning bid is in the amount of 12,790,000,000 Japanese
Yen, and includes the supply of standard spare parts and tools, crew
training, ocean transportation, and marine insurance. The vessels will
have a standard cruising speed of 16 knots, and a range of 1,500 nautical
miles. |
