Director Auxiliary District, CGADNCR-CL
(As published in CGDNCR-CL 2012 Anniversary Magazine)
Through the course of the year 2012, the Coast Guard Auxiliary District National Capital Region-Central Luzon (CGADNCR-CL), being the prime auxiliary district of the PCGA, has been constant in setting the standard for outstanding services to its counterpart, CGDNCR-CL, through its dedication to duty, capability in skills and resources, resilience to withstand and overcome challenges, and unity to achieve the common goal in assisting the PCG in promoting safety of life and property at sea.
Under our new administration, and through the partnership with RADM CECIL R CHEN PCG, District Commander of CGDNCR-CL, the CGADNCR-CL has successfully accomplished various missions especially in the field of Maritime Safety, Marine Environmental Protection, Maritime Search and Rescue and Community Relations.
RADM CHEN PCG has also presided with the turn-over ceremonies for the new set of District Officers and Squadron Directors for the CY 2012-2014. Held at the Seafood Restaurant in Vito Cruz, Manila, COMMO JOSEPH N DY PCGA relinquished his post as Director Auxiliary District (DAD) to yours truly, while 16 Director Auxiliary Squadrons (DAS) have also relinquished while some have resumed leadership to their respective Squadrons.
During the 2012 PCGA National Convention in Dumaguete City, the PCGA Regulations Manual 2012 was introduced and disseminated. In this light, CGADNCR-CL has immediately distributed copies to all DAS for appropriate reference, guidance and compliance in all matters pertaining to this organization. I am pleased to note that majority, if not all, policies and guidelines that were set forth by this administration has been founded based on our new Manual to ensure that our Auxiliary District operates as deemed appropriate.
Also, the latest strategy of partnering Auxiliary Squadrons with Coast Guard Stations within the AOR of CGDNCR-CL has proven effective in accomplishing our missions. Our efforts are now more organized and concentrated to carry-out our tasks in MARSAR, MARSAF, MAREP and COMREL. The following Coast Guard Stations (CGS) are now partnered with the following Auxiliary Squadrons:
CGS MANILA – 101st Squadron, 109th Squadron, 115th Squadron & 130th Squadron; CGS PASIG – 105th Squadron & 126th Squadron; CGS CAVITE – 103rd Squadron, 125th Squadron & 129th Squadron; CGS BATAAN – 106th Squadron; CGS SUBIC – 106th Squadron; CGS LAGUNA DE BAY – 108th Squadron, 116th Squadron, 126th Squadron & 128th Squadron; Port State Control-Manila – 104th Squadron, 112th Squadron & 119th Squadron.
However, when circumstances call for a stronger number of men, the highly committed and reliable Squadrons of the CGADNCR-CL come together to render its services to the CGDNCR-CL. Case in point was the rescue, rehabilitation, relief and medical assistance conducted simultaneously to all areas in the National Capital Region that were affected by the string of typhoons that hit the area, namely TS Gener and LPA Habagat.
Hundreds of officers and members of our District have left the comforts of their houses to work side by side with our Coast Guard counterparts in humanitarian assistance no matter the time of the day or the inconvenience of the place. Time, talents and resources were shelled out and more than 2,000 individually packed relief goods were sent to affected residents within the NCR.
Our commitment was also evident during the Oplan Ligtas Byahe: Undas 2012 were the joint efforts of all the 16 Squadrons, through the leadership of Task Force Squadron, 101st Squadron and in partnership with CGDNCR-CL, have manned the Passenger Assistance Centers situated in the wharves and piers of National Capital Region particularly in the South and North Harbor where majority of sea going passengers have flocked to.
Another worth noting feat is the valuable assistance of one of our officers in the search and retrieval operations for the late DILG Secretary Jesse Robredo whose plane has crashed in the vicinity waters of Masbate. CAPT MATTHEW CALDWELL PCGA of the 106th Squadron worked alongside the PCG Commandant, VADM EDMUND C TAN PCG and then DOTC Secretary Manuel Roxas II. It was for this reason that he earned the commendation of President Benigno S. Aquino III along with other heroes of the Oplan Kalihim.
During the PCG’s 111th Anniversary, CGADNCR-CL has earned several awards, to wit: Best Auxiliary District; Best Auxiliary Squadron (106th Squadron); and Best PCGA Officer (COMMO HILARION F DIMAGIBA JR PCGA).
This year is far from over, and yet, CGADNCR-CL has already gone through a lot of collective triumphs and weathered challenges. Nonetheless, we do not rest on this laurel, instead we take it as a benchmark to achieve and do more for the betterment of many.
We have begun a year spurred with competitiveness, productiveness and effectiveness in our given mission of which we continuously strive to accomplish together; besides, nobody wants to be onboard a sinking vessel, thus, each one of the officers and members composing the CGADNCR-CL strives to paddle harder in harmony to uphold CGADNCR-CL as the leading Coast Guard Auxiliary District in the country.