PH acquires ocean tug to aid ships in WPS

The Philippines acquired another floating asset that could assist vessels in the West Philippine Sea. 

According to Ian Cruz’s Saturday report on “24 Oras Weekend”, the ocean tugboat, equipped with water cannons with which to fight fires, was purchased by a government agency that was yet to be named by Filipino shipbuilder Josefa Slipways, Inc. 

“[The tug] can perform immediate response in case of maritime accident or disaster by towing the ships, going into a safe port. Kaya niya hilahin (It can tow) even the biggest vessel of the Philippine government,” said Arturo Balahadia, vice president of Josefa Slipways, Inc. 

"All these vessels are compliant with international standards," added Balahadia.

The shipbuilding firm said that it was also proposing to another government office a multi-mission patrol vessel that also featured a water cannon, had an oil spill prevention mechanism, and could place buoys in the highly contested waters to mark the country’s territory. 

The firm added that aside from building a Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources patrol vessel, the ship-building firm was also building steel-hulled fishing vessels for local fishers. 

“Gawin nating bakal yung mga hull, yung construction ng mga fishing boats. Para even during bad weather conditions, matibay yung mga fishing boats natin,” said Balahadia. 

(We should use steel for the hulls and the construction of the fishing boats. So it can withstand even bad weather conditions.) — Vince Angelo Ferreras/DVM, GMA Integrated News