THE Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on Friday welcomed the appointment of former Philippine Airlines (PAL) president Jaime Bautista as Transportation secretary of of President-elect Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.

In a statement, PCG Commandant CG Admiral Artemio Abu highlighted Bautista’s 26-year experience in flag carrier Philippine Airlines.

“Makaasa ang ating incoming DOTr Secretary na nasa likod niya ang PCG tungo sa pagbibigay ng mga kinakailangang serbisyo sa ating mga kababayan at lalong pagpapabuti ng sektor ng transportasyon para sa kapakanan ng bawat Pilipino (The incoming secretary may rest assured that he will have the support of the PCG in providing necessary services to the public, especially in improving the transportation sector for the welfare of every Filipino),” Abu said.

He noted that the PCG is seen to continue its growth and expansion under Bautista, specifically on the modernization program of the PCG.

“Nagtitiwala kami kay President-elect Marcos at kanyang desisyon na italaga si Mr. Bautista bilang susunod na Transportation Chief (We trust President-elect Marcos and his decision to appoint Mr. Bautista as the next transportation chief),” he said.

On Thursday, Marcos announced Bautista’s appointment and also named Cesar Chavez as the transport undersecretary for rails, Cheloy Garafil as chief of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board, and Christopher Pastrana as general manager of the Philippine Ports Authority.

While working at PAL, Bautista served as its chief finance officer in 1994 to 1999, executive vice president in 1999 to 2004, and president in 2004 to 2012 and 2014 to 2019. Philippine News Agency

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