JICA backs PCG in ramping up design of 94-meter patrol vessel fleet 

January 29, 2018

The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) handed over to the Department of Transportation (DOTr) recently the final report of the design review of the new 94-meter patrol vessels under the JICA-Philippine cooperation Maritime Safety Capability Improvement project for the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Phase II.

With the design review, the DOTr can conclude the bid documents for the construction of the additional two 94-meter multi-role response vessels (MRRV), a component of the 16.455 billion yen Official Development Assistance (ODA) loan from Japan,

“JICA has been supporting the PCG for the past decades and we’re looking forward to the completion of this assistance to ramp up design of the patrol vessels the PCG can use for maritime law enforcement and security,” said JICA Chief Representative Susumu Ito.

Under the project’s first phase, JICA has provided six of the 10 middle-sized MRRVs and are now deployed in Philippine sea waters. The recent one, BRP Malabrigo, succeeded in their rescue mission in Zamboanga when a passenger vessel encountered engine trouble this month.

Maritime transportation is crucial to sustainable development of archipelagic countries like the Philippines. The cooperation between JICA and the Philippines for maritime safety is meant to address rising maritime accidents due to increase in passengers, aging vessels, and natural disasters.

The MSCIP II will also include training for PCG personnel on vessel operation and maintenance in Japan and in the Philippines. DMS