Coast Guard orders strict precautions vs COVID-19 during recruitment

July 16, 2020

The Philippine Coast Guard chief ordered strict precautionary measures against COVID-19 as its nationwide recruitment resumed this month.

Commodore Armando Balilo, PCG spokesman, said with the resumption of  recruitment of aspiring Coast Guard commissioned officers and enlisted personnel, PCG Commandant  Vice Admiral George Ursabia Jr. ordered  units to protect the health of the applicants.

Balilo said as part of  precautions, applicants in Coast Guard District Northern Mindanao are required to undergo body temperature checks, wear face masks, and practice physical distancing.

"They are also required to wash their hands and faces before the actual medical examination," he said.

"The District also ensures that the personnel who are managing the application process are equipped with PPE sets and necessary medical supplies for their protection against the threat of COVID-19," he added.

The PCG is targeting to recruit a total of 10,000 personnel within the year. But the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has not approved funding for more than 8,000 additional personnel.

"The target is 10,000 this year but as we speak, only 1,500 recruits were funded by DBM," said PCG.

"We will continue the lobbying for the approval of the additional 8,500 target for this year," it added. Robina Asido/DMS