DAVAO CITY—The Japanese government turned over a modern communications system for the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) installed at the Central Visayas station in Cebu City.
Japan turned over on February 12 the communication facilities it developed under its Project for Enhancement of Communications Systems at the headquarters of the PCG District Central Visayas in Cebu.
Hiroto Izumi, special adviser to the Prime Minister, and Japanese Ambassador Koji Haneda led the turnover ceremony that was also attended by Transportation Secretary Arthur
P. Tugade.
Tugade expressed his deepest appreciation for this support from Japan.
The Japanese Embassy said the Japanese government financed the project amounting to ¥1.2 billion (P500 million). The project was the installation of the Satellite Communication System that would now connect the headquarters of the PCG, its district offices and
its vessels.
The facility would also house the Vessel Traffic Management System in Cebu’s Mactan Channel, “where many ships pass through to support their safe navigation and detect
suspicious ships.”
The project would enhance the PCG’s capabilities for law enforcement, prevention of maritime accident and quick-rescue operation, and contribute to the overall improvement of maritime safety in the Philippines, the Japanese Embassy said in a statement
on Monday.
The facility would be expected “to further reinforce the strategic partnership between the two countries, as well as contribute to the sustainable development of the Philippines,” it added.