THE Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) announced it will deploy its newest seacraft, the BRP Teresa Magbanua (MRRV-9701) to its very first mission 10 days after its formal commissioning into service.
The multi-role response vessel (MRRV) will participate in the Regional Marine Pollution Exercise (MARPOLEX) 2022, a naval exercise between the PCG, the Directorate of Sea Transportation (DGST) of the Republic of Indonesia, and the Japan Coast Guard (JCG), in the vicinity off the waters of Makassar, Indonesia from May 22-29, 2022.
Aside from the BRP Teresa Magbanua, the BRP Gabriela Silang (OPV-8301), BRP Malapascua (MRRV-4403) and BRP Cape Engaño (MRRV-4411), will also participate in MARPOLEX 2022 whose objective is to examine the capabilities of the Philippines, Japan and Indonesia when it comes to oil spill response.
According to PCG Commandant, CG Admiral Artemio Abu, the participating vessels will test and examine the effectivity of the Sulawesi Sea Oil Spill Response Network Plan and the current methodologies with regard to Oil Spill Recovery and Response Capability of Indonesia and the Philippines. The JCG, on the other hand, will participate in the activity to provide guidance necessary to the improvement of their counterparts.
“They will also enhance cooperation and capability in firefighting, rescue, and oil spill recovery operations through planning, command and control, and the conduct of integrated operations,” according to CG Admiral Abu.
“Oil spill companies of the concerned countries will also be encouraged to combat, control, and recover oil spillage to accomplish the objectives of the Memorandum of Understanding on ASEAN Cooperation Mechanism for Joint Oil Spill Preparedness and Response,” the PCG Commandant added.
The MARPOLEX is being held biennially by the PCG and the DGST. In July 2019, the Philippines served as host of the maritime exercise held in Davao City.