Naga city: The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) District Bicol will maintain round-the-clock disaster response readiness and strengthen inter-agency cooperation as it seeks to enhance emergency response and maritime security in the region, its new commander said Thursday.
According to Philippines News Agency, Commodore Rolando Lorenzana, who has formally assumed command of PCG District Bicol, stated that the district will remain on round-the-clock standby to respond to both maritime and land-based emergencies as part of its commitment to ensuring public safety in the disaster-prone Bicol Region.
"Disaster response will always be among our priorities. The Coast Guard should be ready 24 hours a day, seven days a week to respond to any form of disaster, whether maritime or land-based," Lorenzana said in an interview.
Lorenzana said he will continue to enhance the district's operational capability. He also acknowledged the challenges posed by the Coast Guard's vast area of responsibility, saying effective search and rescue operations require sustained collaboration with local government units (LGUs) and other stakeholders.
"Our area of responsibility is vast, and the Coast Guard cannot accomplish its search and rescue mission alone. We will continue working closely with local government units and other stakeholders to sustain the initiatives," he said.
Lorenzana also identified maritime security as a key priority, citing the need to safeguard the region's busy sea lanes against unlawful activities. He said the district would continue strengthening coordination with law enforcement agencies and other partner organizations to prevent and respond to maritime security threats.
"We are fully committed to preventing and responding to all forms of maritime security threats in the region through close coordination with our partner law enforcement agencies," he said.
Lorenzana emphasized the importance of maintaining the operational readiness of Coast Guard assets and rescue personnel, along with stronger collaboration with national government agencies and stakeholders, to further improve the district's emergency response capability.
He underscored the importance of a whole-of-government approach to disaster preparedness, noting that Bicol's vulnerability to typhoons, the ongoing activity of Mayon Volcano, and other natural hazards demand close coordination among response agencies.
"It requires a collective effort. We cannot effectively address these challenges unless we work together, especially in Bicol, where we regularly face typhoons, volcanic hazards, and other emergencies," Lorenzana said.
