German Ambassador leads handover of equipment to the Philippine Coast Guard

His Excellency Dr. Andreas Michael Pfaffernoschke, German Ambassador to the Philippines, led the handover of equipment from the German Government to the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG). He was welcomed by CG RADM Hostillo Arturo Cornelio, Chief of Coast Guard Staff, and CG VADM Allan Victor Dela Vega, Acting Deputy Commandant for Operations.

The donation is part of the enhancement initiative activities under the GIZ Project "Support to the Philippine Coast Guard in Securing the Rules-based International Order in the Indo-Pacific Phase II," commissioned by the German Federal Foreign Office (AA) and Federal Ministry of Defence (BMVg) financed by the Authorization Initiative. The Project aims to increase the capacity of the PCG in fulfilling its mandate and responsibility to perform maritime search and rescue, maritime law enforcement, maritime safety, marine environmental protection, and maritime security.

In his message, the Ambassador reiterated the support of the German Government in promoting the rules based international order by supporting the PCG through the project initiative implemented by GIZ since 2022. This year, 2024, is the celebration of the 70 years of diplomatic relations between Germany and the Philippines.

CG VADM Dela Vega, shared words of gratitude on behalf of the Philippine Coast Guard. He assured that the equipment donated will be used efficiently and that they are looking forward to the training programs lined up.

Christina Rentzmann, Cluster Coordinator for the Project and representing the Country Director of GIZ Philippines Mr. Immanuel Gebhardt, shared that the project’s three components aims at to strengthen the technical and professional capacities of PCG personnel in the area of UAV operations and law enforcement.

PCG Commandant CG ADM Ronnie Gil Gavan expressed his gratitude for the generosity of the German Government in providing support to the Coast Guard. The equipment handed over included desktop computers, laptops, UPS, projectors, digital and action cameras, printers, VHF/HF radios, a conference microphone system, and an 85-inch interactive tv.

After the activities, the GIZ project team, headed by Christina Rentzmann and Maurizio Noll, did a short visit to the National Coast Watch Center, where they had a short exchange with Presidential Assistant in Maritime Affairs Andres C. Centino and his team.