PCG lauded for major part in disaster response efforts

By Raymond Carl Dela Cruz, Philippine News Agency

EVACUATION. A deployable response group of the Philippine Coast Guard helps evacuate residents from a flood-stricken area in Cebu province on Tuesday (Nov. 4, 2025). Acting Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez highlighted the role of the PCG in the country’s disaster response amid the onslaught of Typhoon Tino. (Photo: Philippine Coast Guard/Facebook)

MANILA – Acting Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez on Tuesday highlighted the role of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) in disaster response amidst the onslaught of Typhoon Tino.

In a statement, Lopez said the PCG plays a major role in assisting victims of tragedies or calamities as well as safeguarding the country’s maritime borders, especially in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

He said PCG personnel risk their lives whenever they help evacuate residents from disaster zones or during the distribution of relief goods.

“Lubos po tayong nagpapa-salamat sa mga magigiting na tauhan ng PCG. Marami tayong mga kababayan na natutulungan nila at naliligtas ang buhay sa gitna ng kalamidad (We thank the valiant personnel of the PCG. They have helped and rescued many Filipinos amidst the calamity),” he said.

To date, the PCG has mobilized to provide rescue and relief operations in affected areas in the Visayas and Mindanao.

The PCG Station in Eastern Samar implemented forced evacuations in the province, particularly in the towns of Guiuan, Quinapondan, San Julian, Oras and Dolores.

The residents were evacuated with the help of the Philippine National Police, Philippine Army, and Municipal Risk Reduction and Management Offices.

In addition, the PCG also evacuated trapped residents amid massive flooding in Cebu through the dispatch of four deployable response groups (DRG).

Each DRG was composed of 20 personnel and was tasked to assist families in Liloan, Cebu; Barangay Umapad, Mandaue City; and Barangay Biasong, Talisay City.

The PCG also responded to a vessel allision in Jolo, Sulu, between MV Maria Rebecca of Montenegro Shipping Lines and MV Antonia 1 of Alesson Shipping Lines at the Port of Jolo.

Initial investigation showed that rough sea conditions and strong swells contributed to the loss of maneuvering control of MV Maria Rebecca while attempting to dock.

“Nakikita nyo naman, hindi natitinag ang PCG kahit hinahampas na sila ng water cannon dyan sa WPS para lang maprotektahan ang teritoryo ng bansa (As you have seen, the PCG remains steadfast despite being attacked by water cannons in the WPS to protect the territory of the country),” he said.

“Sa pangkalahatan, napaka-laki ang ambag ng PCG sa lipunan at nararapat lang silang suportahan at kilalanin ang kanilang tapat na serbisyo sa ating bayan (As a whole, the PCG is contributing a lot to society, and it is only right that we support them and recognize their honest service to the country).”