Coast Guard commissions second multi-role vessel from Japan

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on Thursday formally acquired from the Japanese government the second multi-role response vessel (MRRV) which will be used for the agency’s patrol operations.

The MRRV, named Barko ng Republika ng Pilipinas (BRP) Malabrigo, was commissioned by the PCG on Thursday in a turnover ceremony at its headquarters at South Harbor in Port Area, Manila.

In his Balitanghali report, GMA News’ Mark Salazar said BRP Malabrigo measures 44 meters long and has a night vision capability.

BRP Malabrigo is the second of the ten MRRVs set to be acquired by the Philippines from Japan through a P7.373-billion loan agreement with Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) in 2013.

The first one, BRP Tubbataha, was acquired in August this year.

The acquisition of the ten MRRVs is part of the Department of Transportation’s P8.807-billion Maritime Safety Capability Improvement Project in cooperation with JICA. —Erwin Colcol/NB, GMA News