Duterte taps Ursabia as PCG commandant

June 1, 2020

President Rodrigo Duterte appointed Vice Admiral George Ursabia Jr. as the next commandant of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG).

The appointment of Ursabia as the 27th commandant of PCG takeseffect on Monday following the retirement of Admiral Joel  Garcia.

Commodore Armando Balilo, PCG spokesman, said Ursabia graduated the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) as a member of “Hinirang” Class of 1987.

He said Ursabia "pursued a Master of Science Degree in Maritime Safety and Environmental Protection (MSc, MSEP) as a scholar of Sasakawa Foundation, Japan and eventually earned the post-graduate degree from the World Maritime University (WMU) in Malmo, Sweden in 1999."

"In his more than 36 years of active service, he held various positions with major responsibilities both in the Philippine Navy and the PCG," Balilo said.

"Prior his last designation, VADM Ursabia PCG became the Commander of Coast Guard Districts Central Visayas, Palawan, Southeastern Mindanao and Northern Luzon aside from his other positions as the Commander of the Coast Guard Ready Force and Staff for Maritime Safety Affairs," he stated.

Ursabia earned the most coveted Command-at-Sea Badge as he commanded three Coast Guard SAR vessels namely BRP Romblon (SARV-3503), BRP Davao Del Norte (SARV 3504), and BRP Pampanga (SARV 003) as well as three Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources 30-meter patrol boats, said Balilo.

Balilo said aside from being the Commander of Marine Environmental Protection Command, Ursabia "is also the designated Task Group Commander of the Task Group Laban COVID-19 Water Cluster with the PCG, Philippine Navy, and the PNP - Maritime Group."

"He plays a crucial role in the deployment and operations of PCG personnel as part of the government forces in ensuring the safety and security of the Filipino people in this time of pandemic," he added.

Garcia said expressed confidence that Ursabia "will continue the significant developments that as a leader at the helm must geared upon for the greater benefits of the Command."

Balilo said the PCG recognized the contributions of Garcia who retires from service on Monday.

"The PCG expresses gratitude to the inspiring leadership of Admiral Garcia who leaves the service stronger and more responsive to the needs of the Filipino people; and its men and women more driven and purposeful in the pursuit of public service," he said.

Balilo also highlighted the achievents of PCG under the leadership of Garcia, including the implementation of Safety, Security, and Environmental Numbering (SSEN) System, a database of 232,205 registered vessels in various port areas and waterways across the country and the PCG's effort against the COVID-19 pandemic.

"The SSEN system allows the PCG to promote maritime law enforcement, maritime security, maritime safety, and marine environmental protection by preventing the use of watercrafts in maritime infractions such as piracy, terrorism, kidnap-for-ransom, and smuggling," he said.

When President Rodrigo Roa Duterte placed the entire of Luzon under enhanced community quarantine (ECQ), the PCG, together with the Philippine Navy and the PNP - Maritime Group, activated the Task Force Laban COVID-19 with 13 task groups in all Coast Guard Districts across the country, said Balilo.

More than 2,000 PCG personnel and several PCG watercrafts were deployed to seaports and quarantine control points nationwide for the strict enforcement of quarantine measures and health protocols against the threat of COVID-19, Balilo added.

Balilo also noted that "through the dedicated leadership of Garcia, the PCG’s manpower marks at 17,000 at the end of May 2020 – contributing more than 50 percent or 9,500 personnel during his service as the highest official of the organization."

"Before his retirement, he even fought for the Department of Budget and Management’s approval to fund additional 1,500 personnel for hiring this year", he said.

The increase in PCG manpower is made possible through the construction of training centers in Masbate, Cagayan, Zamboanga, and Negros Occidental; and initiating the decentralization of screening and recruitment process, allowing aspiring applicants in far-flung communities to discover their potentials through a career in public service, Balilo added.

Balilo said Garcia "also guided the PCG in establishing the “Service Command Career Path” which provides an opportunity to every PCG personnel to specialize in their chosen field and discover how their skill sets will make them invaluable assets of the service." Robina Asido/DMS