A TOTAL of 9,140 personnel of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), or 39 percent of the agency’s total personnel strength, have been promoted to the next higher rank.
PCG commandant Adm. Artemio Abu presided over the donning of rank and oath-taking ceremony for the promotees yesterday at the PCG headquarters in Manila.
About 5,000 of the promotees were physically present during the ceremony while the rest attended virtually, said PCG spokesman Commodore Armand Balilo.
The PCG has around 23,000 men broken down into 3,000 officers and 20,000 non-officers.
The PCG said 9,075 of those promoted are non-officers with ranks of seaman second class to master chief petty officer while 65 are officers with rank of lieutenant to lieutenant senior grade.
The promotion of the officers was signed by Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade before he left office at the end of the Duterte administration on June 30 while the promotion of the non-officers was approved only last Friday by Abu, Balilo said.
Abu, at the ceremonies, said, “Upon consultation, we found out that there are available slots for promotion. There is sufficient funding, the fund utilization for this purpose is justified, and the promotion uplifts the morale of our people,” said
“To our promotees, you are the fuel that keeps the PCG running at its best. We are deeply grateful for your service. You have handled every task with a sense of duty, urgency, and excellence,” he added.
Abu said the promotion of the personnel is also a recognition of their “hard work and significant contributions to the organization.”
“More importantly, it reflects the trust that the PCG bestows upon you to take on bigger responsibilities,” said Abu.
He urged the promotees to remain committed to the PCG’s ideals and goals. Specifically, he asked them to continue demonstrating fellowship, sincere service and excellence.
“Never lose sight of our organization’s purpose: to save lives, ensure safe maritime transport, advocate cleaner seas, and secure the Philippine maritime jurisdiction. I wish you all the best in your future endeavors as Coast Guardians the Filipino people can rely on,” said Abu.
