Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Arthur Tugade has recognized Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) officers and personnel for their commendable public service at the National Headquarters, Port Area, Manila today, 19 August 2021.

The DOTr Secretary personally bestowed the ORDER OF KAMAGI MEDAL to LIEUTENANT COMMANDER FRANCIS ARIEL SUALOG for successfully assisting a returning OFW in giving birth at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) in August 2020 and to PROBATIONARY ENSIGN RALPH BARAJAN for leading the rescue of 62 crew members and passengers of ill-fated MV Siargao Princess at the vicinity waters off Cebu in November 2019.

PCG Spokesperson, COMMODORE ARMAND BALILO received the AWARD OF COAST GUARD OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT MEDAL AND RIBBON for supervising the PCG Contact Center ng Bayan that handles all complaints and concerns addressed to the service. Under his leadership, the PCG Contact Center ng Bayan was able to achieve 100% resolution rate from January 2020 to February 2021.

Moreover, the AWARD OF COAST GUARD SUPERIOR ACHIEVEMENT MEDAL AND RIBBON was given to COMMANDER JEFFREY COLLADO for achieving zero backlogs and ensuring the speedy call to action in every citizens’ complaints and concerns.

LIEUTENANT JUNIOR GRADE MERHAM SAJARANI also received the AWARD OF THE COAST GUARD OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT MEDAL AND RIBBON for his contributions in the successful conduct of three big-ticket projects of the PCG amid the COVID-19 pandemic through the Committee for Negotiated Procurement – Emergency Cases.

Meanwhile, SEAMAN SECOND CLASS (SN2) JULIUS GIBRAN ABUNDOL III, the PCG frontline personnel who displayed maximum tolerance and bravely disarmed a civilian carrying a dangerous weapon at EDSA Carousel Ortigas Avenue Station in May 2021 was also bestowed the AWARD OF COAST GUARD BRONZE CROSS MEDAL AND RIBBON.

The same award was also given to SN2 VINCENT ADRIAN JUNIOR BALAMBAN, the PCG frontline personnel who assisted a pregnant passenger who unexpectedly gave birth inside the restroom of a RoRo vessel Pasacao Port, Camarines Sur in April 2021.

During the awarding ceremony, Secretary Tugade emphasized that PCG officers and personnel serve with excellence, not only during rescue operations and relief missions, but also in ensuring 100% attainment in the aspects of Freedom of Information and procurement processes.

“Nandito ako ngayon para personal na iparating sa inyo ang aking pasasalamat sa pagbibigay-buhay ninyo sa mandato ng PCG. Basta’t may buhay na nakataya, nandyan ang PCG. Saludo ako sa inyong lahat. Today is a job well done for the PCG,” Secretary Tugade concluded.

Health and safety protocols were strictly observed during the activity.