Timely donations
AFTER donating two patrol vessels to the Philippine Navy (PN), the United States government also turned over last Monday a P250-million trainng facility to the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG).
The two patrol boats – BRP Valentin Diaz and BRP Ladislao Diwa – and the fully-equipped training facility in Bulacan are seen to enhance maritime safety and marine environmental protection.
Constructed at the Technical Training Center in Balagtas, Bulacan, the facility was turned over and blessed on Monday, September 11, with US Ambassador to the Philippines in attendance.
US Ambassador to Manila MaryKay Carlson was joined by PCG deputy commandant for admnistration Vice Admiral Ronnie Gavan and other national and local government officials.
The US-built training facility covers 3,900 square meters and includes classrooms, laboratories, equipment rooms, dining facilities, a galleyt, a technical library and workstations.
It will cater to the training needs of students undergoing various shipboard career and competency courses at the PCG Fleet Education Training Development Doctrine Institute (FETDDI).
The donation is part of the US commitment to assist the PCG in addressing maritime challenges through the US Embassy, Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, US Department of Defense, the Joint US Military Assistance Group and the US Coast Guard.
What is significant here is the readiness of the US government to assist the Philippines in improving its capability to defend the country’s sovereign rights, including the West Philippine Sea.
Certainly, this is an opportune time for the Philippine government to speed up the implementation of the modernization program of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
Hindi ba, Defense Secretary Gilberto “Gibo” Teodoro Jr. and AFP chief of staff Gen. Romeo Brawner?
