Upgrades to BRP Gregorio Del Pilar completed says shipbuilder

Shipbuilder firm Herma Shipyard Inc. (HSI) on Wednesday said it has finished the drydocking and upgrading the Philippine Navy’s BRP Gregorio Del Pilar (PS-15).

In a statement, HSI said the offshore patrol vessel was formally turned over to its commanding officer, Commander Philip Plaza, in a ceremony at the shipbuilder's facility in Bataan.

“The upgrade project, undertaken in collaboration with Hanwha Systems Co., Ltd.,of the Republic of Korea, focused on enhancing the vessel's defense systems,” HSI said.

“This marks the completion of a series of upgrades to the Philippine Navy's Gregorio Del Pilar-Class frigates, which include PS-15, PS-16 (BRP Ramon Alcaraz), and PS-17 (BRP Andres Bonifacio),” it added.

According to the shipbuilder, the 3,250-ton ships are former US Coast Guard Hamilton class high endurance cutters that were acquired by the Philippines from 2011 to 2016 and now serve as the “backbone of the Philippine Navy's patrol force.”

The Del Pilar, nicknamed "Goyo" by her crew, is the former USCGC Hamilton (WHEC-715) and the lead ship of the 12-ship class, all of which were transferred to various Asian and African navies as well as the Vietnamese Coast Guard.

"The project collaboration between the Philippine Navy, Herma Shipyard, and Hanwha Group is a testament that teamwork with various industry experts delivers optimum results,” Plaza said.

For his part, Herma Group Director Jose Exiquel Esguerra said, “It is an honor for the Herma Group to contribute towards nation building through the enhancement of our maritime defense systems through the Philippine Navy.”

In a Viber message, the Navy said the upgrades to the nearly 60-year old ship “enhances the Navy’s operational readiness and strengthens the capabilities of all our Gregorio Del Pilar-Class patrol vessels, which serve as a core component of our fleet.”

“The collaboration celebrated at the turnover ceremony emphasizes the importance of strong partnerships in advancing the Navy’s modernization and transformation especially under the Comprehensive Archipelagic Defense Concept (CADC) framework,” the Navy told GMA News Online.

“As the Philippine Navy presses forward, initiatives as such remain as the driving force behind the pursuit of a formidable and future-ready maritime defense aligned with the vision of our nation's leaders,” it added.

Located in the Freeport Area of Bataan, HSI is a Filipino-owned shipbuilder and ship repair facility in the Philippines.

It provides services that include drydocking, ship repair and shipbuilding, catering to both domestic and international clients.

The shipbuilder is a subsidiary of the Herma Group, a conglomerate with interests in the petroleum, maritime transport, and environmental management sectors. —Joviland Rita with a report from Mariel Celine Serquiña/ RF, GMA Integrated News