MANILA – The Loan Agreement for the acquisition of five (5) new multi-role response vessels (MRRV) for the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) was signed today in a ceremony attended by officials of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the Department of Finance (DOF).
According to the Embassy of Japan in Manila, this is Phase III of the Maritime Safety Capability Improvement Project for the Philippine Coast Guard (MSCIP).
Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines ENDO Kazuya attended the signing ceremony held at the DOF office.
"I expect that the construction of five new multi-role response vessels (MRRV) should be started and completed as soon as possible. By handover of those vessels to the PCG, we hope to contribute even more to maintaining a rules-based order in the Indo-Pacific region,” Endo said.
(Photo courtesy of Embassy of Japan in Manila)
Last May 2024, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and the Embassy of Japan signed the Exchange of Notes in a ceremony attended by DFA Secretary Enrique Manalo and Japanese Ambassador ENDO.
The signed Exchange of Notes will finance the provision of an additional five 97m class multi-role response vessels for the PCG, with a maximum loan amount of JPY 64.5 billion and an interest rate of 0.3% per annum (with 0.2% per annum for consulting services) and a repayment period of 40 years, including a 10-year grace period.
In his speech, Endo said that the additional grant is expected to contribute to improving maritime safety in the Philippines by enhancing the capacity of the PCG to efficiently conduct maritime rescue, law enforcement and other operations.
“Securing safe navigation as well as free and open maritime order in this region is imperative. Japan has provided the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) with ten (10) 44-meter-class and two (2) 97-meter-class multipurpose vessels in the first 2 two phases of the MSCIP. These vessels were expected, and indeed are used to enhance PCG’s ability to conduct maritime rescue and law enforcement operations in a timely and appropriate manner, contributing to the overall maritime safety of the Philippines,” Endo said.
The addition of high frequency communication systems for the ships and onshore facilities will further ensure the effective operation of the multipurpose vessels, he added.
Ambassador Endo also highlighted the current situation on the seas surrounding the Philippines and noted the seriousness and volatility of the issue on maritime awareness and safety, which PCG stands on the frontlines.
According to Endo, it is PCG who is “standing in the frontlines protecting our common interests and rules-based maritime order.”
BRP Melchora Aquino and BRP Teresa Magbanua
BRP Melchora Aquino is a PCG patrol vessel supplied by the Japanese Government under the Maritime Safety Capacity Improvement Project (Phase 2) in 2022, and is being utilized by the PCG for search and rescue, maritime law enforcement and other operations.
Aside from BRP Melchora Aquino, the PCG also has another MRRV – BRP Teresa Magbanua (MRRV-9701) and are both currently active in maritime security and safety operations.
“Going forward, Japan will steadily continue its support for the PCG's capacity building,” Endo said.
