Coast Guard urges Roxas to buy more search and rescue vessels

MANILA, Philippines—The commandant of the Philippine Coast Guard welcomed on Wednesday the appointment of former senator Manuel “Mar” Roxas as the new secretary of the Department of Transportation and Communications.

“He understands the bureaucracy. He knows maritime policy and shipping matters,” Admiral Ramon Liwag told reporters.

Liwag said he had encountered Roxas when the latter was a senator, adding, “I saw that when he was at the Senate, he was dynamic, very intelligent and capable in leadership.” He said Roxas was skilful in defending the budget being sought by various government agencies.

Roxas once served as trade secretary, so he would understand the PCG’s functions in helping regulate maritime commerce and merchant ships, he added.

Liwag said he would ask Roxas’ help in the PCG’s target to acquire search-and-rescue vessels (SARVs) and off-shore patrol vessels.

The Coast Guard has about a dozen SARVs, most of them acquired from Australia. It has also been asking the national government for funds for the acquisition of specialized vessels that would deal with marine pollution and oil spills.

The PCG is one of the 15 attached agencies of the DoTC, which covers road, rail, air, water and communications sectors.