Executive Secretary Ralph Recto has joined the Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary (PCGA) as an auxiliary vice admiral last week.
Recto formally received his rank during his donning and oath-taking ceremony on Friday, February 27 aboard the BRP Teresa Magbanua (MRRV-9701).
“As I don this uniform that now rests on my shoulders, I do so with humility, with duty, and with responsibility. This is not a cosplay. But a commitment,” Recto said in a statement.
“Sisiguraduhin natin ang ating mga karagatan. Susuportahan natin ang ating Coast Guard. At ipagtatanggol natin kung ano ang atin,” he added.
(We will secure our seas. We will support our Coast Guard. And we will protect what is ours.)
Recto cited the government’s efforts to strengthen maritime governance through investments in the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG).
He cited the P42.52 billion allocation for the PCG this year which he said is aimed at boosting manpower, operational readiness, and long-term capability development.
“It forms part of the President’s broader goal: to bridge troubled waters and usher in an era of maritime prosperity,” Recto said.
The allocation will fund the recruitment of trained and qualified personnel and the creation of new positions to eventually pave the way for a standing force of 108,867 uniformed personnel – equivalent to three PCG personnel for every kilometer of the country’s coastline.
Recto said sustained maintenance and other operating expenses (MOOE) will ensure uninterrupted operations, along with continued investments in fleet modernization, the construction of a new PCG headquarters, and the completion of the PCG hospital.
“With these investments, you will be better positioned as part of our arsenal for peace. It is an arsenal meant to preserve stability and secure harmony at sea and along our shores,” he added.
Also inducted into the PCGA Executive Squadron were Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary Rolando Toledo, who was conferred the rank of auxiliary rear admiral.
Meanwhile, actor Luis Manzano, Senior Deputy Executive Secretary Maria Luwalhati Dorotan-Tiuseco, DBM Assistant Secretary Andrea Celene Magtalas, Office of the Executive Secretary (OES) Director IV Cherry Mae Gonzales, and DBM Assistant Director Robin Gumasing were conferred the rank of auxiliary commodore. — JMA, GMA Integrated News
