Japan: Helping the Philippine Coast Guard

[adroth]

This thread looks back at various credit facilities Japan has offered the Philippines for improving the Philippine Coast Guard over the years.

[adroth]

Signing of Japanese ODA Loan Agreement with the Republic of the Philippines
December 16, 2013

https://www.jica.go.jp/english/news/press/2013/131216_01.html

On December 14, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) signed Japanese ODA loan agreement with the Government of the Republic of the Philippines to provide loans of up to a total of 18.732 billion Japanese Yen for “Maritime Safety Capability Improvement Project for the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG)”.

The Republic of the Philippines is an archipelagic state with a world's 5th longest coastline (approximately 36,000 km) and more than 7,000 islands; therefore, maritime transportation is crucial to the economic and social development of the country. On the other hand, the risk of maritime accidents has increased in recent years due to (i) increase in passenger and freight transport movements between islands, (ii) improper operation such as aging and overweight vessels, and (iii) natural disasters. In addition, due to increase in passenger and freight transport movements, the risk of maritime crime has also risen in recent years, making maritime law enforcement activities towards smuggling, illegal fishing, illegal possession of firearms, terrorism, etc increasingly important. The Project aims to improve the capabilities of PCG to quickly and appropriately respond to maritime incidents, such as search and rescue, and maritime law enforcement, by providing finance necessary to procure vessels for PCG, thereby contributing to maritime safety of the country.

The Special Terms for Economic Partnership (STEP)2 will apply to the Project and it is expected that Japanese shipbuilding technologies will be utilized.

JICA will continue to support the development of the Republic of the Philippines by utilizing all modality of ODA—technical cooperation, Japanese ODA loans and grant aid—to support nation-building in a way that all nationals can enjoy the development of economic and social infrastructures.

(Reference)
Terms and Amounts of Loans
Project title   Amount (million yen)   Annual interest rate (%)   Repayment
period
(years)   Grace
period
(years)   Procurement
Project   Consulting services
Maritime Safety Capability Improvement Project for the Philippine Coast Guard   18,732   0.10   0.01   40   10   Japan tied

[adroth]

Signing of Japanese ODA Loan Agreement with the Republic of the Philippines: Further strengthening the maritime safety capability of the Philippine Coast Guard
October 26, 2016

https://www.jica.go.jp/english/news/press/2016/161026_01.html

On October 26, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) signed a loan agreement with the Government of the Republic of the Philippines in Tokyo to provide a Japanese ODA loan of up to 16.455 billion yen for the Maritime Safety Capability Improvement Project for the Philippine Coast Guard (Phase II).

The Philippines is an archipelagic state with more than 7,000 islands and the world’s fifth longest coastline (approximately 36,000 kilometers in length). Maritime transportation is therefore crucial to socioeconomic development in the country. There has been an increasing risk of maritime accidents in recent years due to: (i) an increase in inter-island passenger and freight transportation, (ii) the use of aging and overweight vessels, and other improper maritime operation, and (iii) a rise in natural disasters. In addition, with this increase in passenger and freight transportation, there has been a rising risk of maritime crime, and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has developed cooperation relationships with Japan and other neighboring countries accordingly. This project will provide the PCG with financing to procure vessels, supporting an improvement in the maritime rescue operations and a faster response to maritime crimes.

The Special Terms for Economic Partnership (STEP)* will apply to the project in the agreement that was signed, and it is expected that Japanese shipbuilding technologies will be utilized.

JICA will continue to support the development of socioeconomic infrastructure in the Philippines by utilizing all types of assistance—technical cooperation, Japanese ODA loans and grant aid—to support nation-building in a way that all nationals can enjoy the benefits of the development.


* STEP is special assistance terms for promoting the visibility of Japanese aid through a transfer of outstanding Japanese technology and expertise to developing nations. The main contract is Japan tied and subcontracting is general untied. Although the main contract allows a joint venture with the borrowing country, a Japanese company must be the leading partner in such an arrangement.
Maritime Safety Capability Improvement Project for the Philippine Coast Guard
JICA Efforts in Countries around the World: the Philippines
Reference
1. Terms and Amount of Loan

photo
2. Executing Agency
Department of Transportation
Address: 16th Floor, The Columbia Tower, Brgy. Wack-Wack, Ortigas Avenue 1555, Mandaluyong City, Metro Manila, Philippines
Phone: +63-2-725-0204, fax: +63-2-726-6221

3. Planned Implementation Schedule
(1)   Completion of project: June 2021 – when the vessels are placed in service
(2)   Issuing of letters of invitation for consulting services (including construction monitoring):
November 2016
(3)   Tender announcement release date: August 2017

[adroth]

JICA to sign another agreement with the Philippine Coast Guard to fortify Maritime Safety

https://www.jica.go.jp/philippine/english/office/topics/news/whats40.html

Manila, Philippines - Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) will sign the Record of Discussions (R/D) on the technical cooperation project entitled “Philippine Coast Guard Education and Human Resource Management System Development” on 9 November 2007, 2:00 PM at the PCG Headquarters, Port Area, Manila. The R/D outlines JICA and the Philippine Coast Guards’ agreement for the five-year implementation of the said project. JICA Resident Representative Mr. Norio Matsuda and PCG Vice Commandant Commodore Ramon C. Liwag are the principal signatories of the R/D.

The anticipated cooperation will strengthen the capacity of the PCG in maritime law enforcement through the establishment of a permanent faculty system, the development and strengthening of training programs in Maritime Law Enforcement (MARLEN) and the upgrading of the training courses in Ship Operations. These activities are specifically designed to make PCG more responsive to threats to the integrity of marine life and maritime industry which are both the major economic fuels of an archipelagic country like the Philippines.

To complete the transfer of technology and skills, JICA will likewise dispatch four long-term Japanese Experts and will provide necessary equipment such as a high-speed rubber boat, boarding and onboard search equipment, database server and software, PC terminals, charts and training materials. For the part of the PCG, the agency shall designate counterpart personnel and will appropriate the necessary annual budget to cover the project duration.

The new technical cooperation project succeeds another 5-year initiative entitled Philippine Coast Guard Human Resource Development which was concluded early this year.

[adroth]

JICA extends Y1.15B grant for PCG to boost maritime safety
April 30, 2014

https://www.jica.go.jp/philippine/english/office/topics/news/140430.html

The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) is extending a Y1.152B grant aid to the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) to help boost the country's maritime safety.

The Japanese aid will cover the installation of transportable satellite-based communication systems, and a Vessel Traffic Management System (VTMS) to also manage vessel movement and improve traffic controls in the Cebu port.

"We are further assisting the Philippines in catalyzing socio-economic development by upgrading its maritime communication system. We hope that this assistance will improve safety and efficiency in vessel traffic management, reduce maritime accidents, and enhance coordination during natural disasters," said new JICA Philippines Chief Representative Noriaki Niwa.

In the past, maritime accidents in the country have been due to increase in passenger and freight transport volumes, improper operations and natural disasters.

Consequently, maritime crime has also risen as passengers increase, making maritime security efforts focus on smuggling and illegal fishing, among others.

JICA's Grant Aid scheme refers to the financial assistance extended by Japan to developing countries with no obligation for repayment. It covers wide range of cooperation such as socio economic infrastructure, education, health, and environment among others.

Aside from the grant, JICA earlier extended a Y18.732 billion loan to the Philippine government to help enhance the capabilities of the PCG through the construction of 10 40-meter multirole response vessels (MRRVs) that is set to augment the PCG fleet.

Said MRRVs were also expected to contribute to maritime safety, maritime law enforcement, monitoring, and pollution control and disaster response, among others.

JICA has also provided vessels, rescue equipment, training facilities, communication systems and maritime safety equipment to the PCG. It has also deployed experts from the Japan Coast Guard as part of its technical cooperation assistance to the PCG for Maritime Law Enforcement, Maritime Pollution Control, and disaster response.

[adroth]

Note: This is when the loans for the MRRV was announced.

====

JICA and GOP sign agreement for ODA on maritime safety
December 16, 2013

https://www.jica.go.jp/philippine/english/office/topics/news/131216.html

December 14 -- The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has signed a 18.732 billion Japanese Yen loan agreement with the Government of the Philippines to further boost maritime safety and enhance the capabilities of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG).

This follows the formal signing of the exchange of notes between President Benigno S. Aquino III and Prime Minister Shinzo Abe for the Maritime Safety Capability Improvement Project (MSCIP) on the sidelines of the 40th Anniversary of ASEAN-Japan Friendship and Cooperation in Tokyo. The loan agreement was signed by Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima and JICA President Akihiko Tanaka.

Said support is covered by the Special Terms for Economic Partnership (STEP) under Japan's official development assistance loan agreement with the Philippines.

The ODA loan project involves the construction of ten 40-meter Multi-Role Response Vessels (MRRVs) that is set to augment the Philippine Coast Guard Fleet operations. The said MRRVs are expected to contribute to maritime safety, maritime law enforcement, monitoring, pollution control, disaster response, and among others. Advanced shipbuilding technologies from Japan will be adopted in the construction of the vessels. Further, the project would also involve human resource development of PCG to improve skills in operating and maintaining the MRRVs.

"This initiative combines enhancing the Philippine capability on search and rescue responsibilities with disaster response and maritime safety. Since the Philippines is an archipelago, maritime safety is critical to the country's socio-economic development," said Takahiro Sasaki, JICA Chief Representative in the Philippines.

It can be recalled that during Prime Minister Abe's visit in Manila last July, he expressed his support towards Philippine maritime safety.

JICA has long supported the initiatives of PCG. Among the notable projects undertaken by JICA and PCG are the provision of vessels, rescue equipment, training facilities, communication systems, and maritime safety equipment. JICA also dispatched experts from the Japan Coast Guard (stationed in the PCG office) as part of its technical cooperation assistance.

Recently, experts from JICA and Japan Coast Guard assisted PCG in controlling the oil spill in Estancia, Iloilo after a power barge ran aground due to Typhoon Yolanda.

For the past years, maritime accidents in the Philippines have been due to increase in passenger and freight transport, improper operations, and natural disasters. Consequently, maritime crime has also risen as passengers increase, making maritime security efforts focus on smuggling, and illegal fishing among others.

[adroth]

Signing of Japanese ODA Loan Agreement with the Republic of the Philippines
December 16, 2013

https://www.jica.go.jp/english/news/press/2013/131216_01.html

On December 14, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) signed Japanese ODA loan agreement with the Government of the Republic of the Philippines to provide loans of up to a total of 18.732 billion Japanese Yen for “Maritime Safety Capability Improvement Project for the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG)”.

The Republic of the Philippines is an archipelagic state with a world's 5th longest coastline (approximately 36,000 km) and more than 7,000 islands; therefore, maritime transportation is crucial to the economic and social development of the country. On the other hand, the risk of maritime accidents has increased in recent years due to (i) increase in passenger and freight transport movements between islands, (ii) improper operation such as aging and overweight vessels, and (iii) natural disasters. In addition, due to increase in passenger and freight transport movements, the risk of maritime crime has also risen in recent years, making maritime law enforcement activities towards smuggling, illegal fishing, illegal possession of firearms, terrorism, etc increasingly important. The Project aims to improve the capabilities of PCG to quickly and appropriately respond to maritime incidents, such as search and rescue, and maritime law enforcement, by providing finance necessary to procure vessels for PCG, thereby contributing to maritime safety of the country.

The Special Terms for Economic Partnership (STEP)2 will apply to the Project and it is expected that Japanese shipbuilding technologies will be utilized.

JICA will continue to support the development of the Republic of the Philippines by utilizing all modality of ODA—technical cooperation, Japanese ODA loans and grant aid—to support nation-building in a way that all nationals can enjoy the development of economic and social infrastructures.

(Reference)
Terms and Amounts of Loans
Project title   Amount (million yen)   Annual interest rate (%)   Repayment
period
(years)   Grace
period
(years)   Procurement
Project   Consulting services
Maritime Safety Capability Improvement Project for the Philippine Coast Guard   18,732   0.10   0.01   40   10   Japan tied

======


Japanese firm starts assembly of MRRV
Louella Desiderio (The Philippine Star) - February 8, 2016 - 9:00am

MANILA, Philippines - Japan Marine United Corp. (JMU), the company which bagged the P8.8-billion contract to supply 10 multi-role response vessels (MRRVs) to the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), has started assembly of the vessels, the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) said.

The DOTC said Transport Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya led the Philippine delegation during the keel laying and safety prayer ceremony held in Yokohama, Japan last Feb. 6.

Keel laying is considered the first milestone in vessel construction, marking the time that steel cutting works are substantially completed and elements are ready for assembly.

< Edited >

The 10-meter MRRVs are part of the MSCIP, which aims to strengthen the patrol capabilities of the PCG.

< Edited >

The first MRRV is expected to arrive in the Philippines in September.

The succeeding vessels meanwhile, will be delivered quarterly beginning December until the final MRRV arrives in August 2018.


Read more at https://www.philstar.com/business/2016/02/08/1551055/japanese-firm-starts-assembly-mrrv#sMR8Fl30FtGUt3xk.99


======


This led to the MRRVs in PCG service

BRP Cape Engaño (MRRV-4411)
BRP Bagacay (MRRV 4410)
BRP Cabra (MRRV 4409)
BRP Cape San Agustin (MRRV 4408)
BRP Sindangan (MRRV 4407)
BRP Suluan (MRRV 4406)
BRP Capones (MRRV 4404)
BRP Malapascua (MRRV 4403)
BRP Malabrigo (MMRV 4402)
BRP Tubattaha (MRRV 4401)

[adroth]

JICA backs PCG in ramping up design of 94-meter patrol vessel fleet
January 29, 2018

https://www.jica.go.jp/philippine/english/office/topics/news/180129.html

The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) handed over to the Department of Transportation (DOTR) recently the final report of the design review of the new 94-meter patrol vessels under the JICA-Philippine cooperation Maritime Safety Capability Improvement Project for the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Phase II (MSCIP II).

With the design review, the DOTR can now conclude the bid documents for the construction of the additional two 94-meter multi-role response vessels (MRRV), a component of the 16.455 billion yen Official Development Assistance (ODA) loan from Japan.

"JICA has been supporting the PCG for the past decades and we're looking forward to the completion of this assistance to ramp up design of the patrol vessels the PCG can use for maritime law enforcement and security," said JICA Chief Representative Susumu Ito.

Under the project's first phase, JICA has already provided six of the 10 middle-sized MRRVs and are now deployed in Philippine sea waters. The recent one BRP Malabrigo succeeded in their rescue mission in Zamboanga when a passenger vessel encountered engine trouble this month.

Maritime transportation is crucial to sustainable development of archipelagic countries like the Philippines. The cooperation between JICA and the Philippines for maritime safety is meant to address rising maritime accidents due to increase in passengers, aging vessels, and natural disasters.

The MSCIP II will also include training for PCG personnel on vessel operation and maintenance in Japan and in the Philippines.