PHILIPPINE Coast Guard (PCG) commandant Admiral Leopoldo Laroya is set to retire tomorrow from service tomorrow after more than 38 years in public service.
It is not yet known, however, who will replace Laroya. PCG spokesperson Commodore Armando Balilo said the replacement will be announced by Malacañang.
“The men and women of the PCG express their sincere gratitude to the inspiring leadership of CG Admiral Laroya who significantly contributed to the transformation of the modern PCG,” Balilo said.
Laroya led the PCG for five months to lead the response to COVID-19, modernization efforts and disaster response in Typhoon Odette’s aftermath.
During this time, Balilo said the PCG provided assistance for the day-to-day operations of the “Task Force Bayanihan for Returning Overseas Filipinos,” the nationwide vaccination drive “Bayanihan, Bakunahan,” assisted in ensuring compliance to minimum public health standards in the maritime transport industry, assisted in managing traffic together with the Inter-Agency Council for Traffic and provided free transportation to commuters at Edsa busway.
As part of aggressive modernization efforts of the PCG, Laroya prioritized the recruitment and training of thousands of officers and men of the PCG and establishing bilateral relationships between the PCG and the government of Japan that ended with the inauguration of two 97-meter multi-role response vessels of the PCG in Japan and joint maritime exercises together with the Japan Coast Guard.
During Typhoon Odette, Laroya ordered PCG district commanders to consolidate all deployable response groups and quick response teams in Palawan, Visayas, at Mindanao.
Overall, around 1,032 affected residents were rescued by the PCG and evacuated almost 12,000 individuals in Northeastern Mindanao, Northern Mindanao, Central Visayas, Western Visayas, Eastern Visayas, and Palawan who were affected by the strong typhoon. The PCG also responded to 115 maritime incidents ,90 of those happened in Central Visayas.
Starting last December 19, 2021 the PCG “Task Force Kalinga” was able to send 3,505 tons overal of relief goods and other critical supplies to support the rehabilitation of families affected by the typhoon.
Meanwhile, the names of five senior rank flag officers were recommended to Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade, who is expected to make his recommendation to President Rodrigo Duterte for the PCG’s 29th commandant.
Among them are CG Vice Admiral Eduardo Fabricante of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Class of 1989, CG Vice Admiral Oscar Endona Jr. of PMA Class of 1990, CG Vice Admiral Artemio Abu of PMA Class of 1992, CG Vice Admiral Rolando Lizor Punzalan of PMA Class of 1992, and CG Rear Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan of PMA Class of 1993.