In line with the Coastal Community Relations (COMREL) function of the PCG Auxiliary, the 125th Squadron has successfully conducted an information drive to the residents of San Rafael 4, Noveleta, Cavite. Recruiting residents from coastal areas to equip them for disaster preparedness against hazards that can affect their community is one of the mandatory projects under the maritime safety function of the PCGA.
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Fluvial processions were commonly held this past few weeks in the province of Cavite as municipalities celebrate their town fiesta in honor of their patron saints.
To ensure maritime safety and security for hundreds of participating devotees, the joint team of Coast Guard Station (CGS) Cavite and 125th Squadron have worked together in conducting crowd control, proper boarding procedures and navigational safety. Last April 25, Squadron officers have joined CGS Cavite in ensuring maritime safety for the devotees in Brgy. Julugan in Tanza, Cavite as they conduct a two-hour fluvial parade along the shorelines of their community. On May 10, the 125th Squadron and its partner station also went to sea conduct the same. Children and people under the influence of alcohol were prohibited from boarding the fluvial boats while the devotees who wish to participate were made to wear life jackets. CGS Cavite commander, CDR RAUL J BELESARIO PCG directed the safe passage of all boats especially the motherboat. Coast Guard rubber boat and aluminum boat also maintained their positions on the port and starboard sides of the motherboat, respectively, to ensure its clearance and safe distance from the other participating bancas. Drumbeats, yells, cheers and fireworks.
These may have filled the ears of hundreds of devotees as scores of them flocked to the sea to participate in the annual fluvial procession in honor of their village's patron saint, San Antonio. For the Coast Guard and its Auxiliary counterpart, however, no sound could drown out the resonating glee and merriment of the devotees as it may only mean that all is well and safe at sea. Men and women in bright orange mixed among the throngs of devotees, ensuring crowd control and maritime safety along the shorelines of Barangay Bagong Pook, Cavite City last April 25. The joint team of Coast Guard Station (CGS) Cavite and the 125th Squadron braved the sweltering heat of mid-afternoon sun to secure boaters from any imminent danger by ensuring the correct capacity of each ceremonial boats and making all of its passenger wear life jackets before leaving the shoreline. Cavite's Station Commander, CDR RAUL BELESARIO PCG, was also very hands-on in keeping devotees who are under the influence of alcohol from boarding the procession boats. As the procession went out of the break water and into the open sea, two Coast Guard service boats maintained position on the port and starboard sides of the mother-boat to ensure clearance and safe distance from other ceremonial boats that are sailing round and round the vessel carrying San Antonio. A stationary fishing boat was accidentally hit by a racing boat, leaving the former capsized and its fisherman trapped. Personnel onboard the Coast Guard aluminum boat immediately rescued the fisherman and brought ashore where he settled the matter amicably with the racing boat skipper. About half and hour later, the fluvial parade returned back to the shoreline of Barangay Pook, with all of its devotees, participants and boaters in good physical (and spiritual) condition. Various government and non-government organizations all around the country have simultaneously celebrated Earth Day through the conduct of different environmental activities.
The Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary in the district of NCR-Central Luzon have partnered with the Coast Guard Stations within their areas of responsibility for the conduct of coastal clean up projects. In Cavite, the 125th Squadron joined forces with CGS Cavite, PNP-Maritime Group, Provincial Environmental and Natural Resources Office (PENRO), SM Rosario and the Bureau of Fire Protection to clean the shorelines of Barangay Sapa 3 and Wawa 3 in Rosario, Cavite. With the help of the residents and barangay officials, an approximate of 500 sacks of segregated garbage were collected. On the same day, the 129th Squadron also joined the coastal clean up activity of DENR and APO-CEA in Barangays Julugan 1-3 in Tanza, Cavite. About 300 personnel from the Philippine Coast Guard and its Auxiliary counterpart in Cavite have joined hands in rehabilitating the Manila Bay through a mangrove planting activity in San Rafael IV, Noveleta.
The planting activity was spearheaded by the Office of the Deputy Coast Guard Staff for Marine Environmental Protection (CG-9) as led by CAPT ROBEN N DE GUZMAN PCG. 3,000 mangrove propagules were planted by the joint team from the PCG headquarters, Coast Guard Station Cavite, 125th Squadron and the 129th Squadron. This was preceded by a brief lesson conducted by a staff from the City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) on the proper way of planting propagules. A new Squadron is about to be formed in the Coast Guard Auxiliary District NCR-Central Luzon (CGADNCR-CL) as the 125th Squadron forges partnership with Coast Guard Station (CGS) Bataan to bring the missions of the Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary in the historic island of Corregidor.
A total of 75 new recruits, ranging from local fisher folks, coastal residents of Mariveles and Corregidor, as well as members of the Corregidor Foundation Inc. (CFI) and Sun Cruises Lines were indoctrinated at the Corregidor Island last April 12. The CGADNCR-CL leadesrhip, through its Director RADM VALENTIN B PRIETO JR PCGA, showed great support to the endeavor and sent his officers to join the activity, namely COMMO GERRY P REYES PCGA, District Deputy Chief of Staff for MAREP, and CAPT EDMUNDO T SISON PCGA, District Chief of Staff. It was also well attended by the Station Commander of CGS Bataan, LCDR FIDELES D SALLIDAO PCG, along with his personnel from said station, Sub-Station Corregidor, and Special Operations Group (SOG). CDR NOEMI S ALVARAN PCGA, the Squadron's Deputy Director for Operations, led the District Level Indoctrination while LT YASHIKA F TORIB PCGA, Squadron Chief of Staff, conducted the Squadron Level Orientation. The new Corregidor group, mostly composed of Auxiliarists, have expressed great interest and concern for the protection of the marine environment. It was also noted by the partner Coast Guard Station that said group has already been conducting Maritime Safety and Marine Environmental Protection activities in the past. This latest development further strengthens the partnership of 125th Squadron and CGS Bataan where the Squadron pioneers have donated an ARPA radar and an owner-type jeep in 2007. It's been 14 years since a group of master mariners, marine engineers and maritime educators have formed a new group and bid farewell to then 104.5 Squadron.
After several years of slow-down in its operations, the 125th Squadron has brought back its former glory and like a phoenix, rose from the ashes. To date, the Squadron has a total of 80 officers composed of master mariners, marine engineers, seafarers, maritime educators, registered nurses, doctors, teachers, housewives, law enforcement officer, retired navy officer and a journalist. To learn more about the Squadron's history, Click Here Celebrating National Women's Month by promoting Gender and Development Among the Ladies of Bacoor3/28/2015 In celebration of the National Women's Month, a Women's Forum on Gender and Development was hosted by the 125th Aux Squadron and CGS Cavite for the women of Brgy Mambog 4, Bacoor, Cavite.
The seminar entitled “Juana Desisyon Mo ay Mahalaga sa Kinabukasan ng Bawat Isa, Ikaw Na!” was participated by more than 50 women from Bacoor and Imus who have learned from the enlightening lecture of LT TERESA GUIA MONJE PCG, Commander, Coast Guard Legal Service. The purpose of the forum is to enhance awareness and recognize the important role of women in the society. LT MONJE PCG discussed women’s rights and protection, and actively hosted the open forum thereafter The event also witnessed the ceremonial turn-over of the Squadron's cash donation to CGS Cavite; the Php 10,000 was part of the cash prize won by the Squadron for the AVP contest during the 2015 DISCON. A group of the barangay’s senior citizen residents later approached the Squadron officers to thank for the assistance given to them during Christmas 2014. Said senior citizens of Brgy Mambog 4 were the beneficiaries of the Squadron’s Fun Shoot for a Cause held in 2014. The 125th Squadron, under the leadership of CAPT JUNMAR A ROA PCGA, won the Coast Guard District NCR-Central Luzon's Audio-Video Presentation (AVP) contest last March 21 during the 2015 District Convention in Sucat, Paranaque.
The thrill and fun-filled contest was participated by nine of the 16 Squadrons who, for not more than five minutes, have each showcased their accomplishments, projects and pursuits for the past year. As the 125th Squadron was announced as the winner by a group of Coast Guard judges, RADM VALENTIN B PRIETO JR PCGA, CGANCR-CL's Director, presented the cash prize to the Squadron. Half of the prize was donated by the Squadron to its partner Coast Guard Station Cavite for their headquarters renovation project while the remaining half was saved for Squadron funds for future operational expense and asset procurement. Click Here to view the video. The Coast Guard Auxiliary District NCR-Central Luzon (CGADNCR-CL) has successfully hosted a District Convention along with its Coast Guard counterparts in Sucat, Paranaque last March 21, under the leadership of its Director Auxiliary District RADM VALENTIN B PRIETO JR PCGA.
The event was attended by over 300 officers from the 16 Auxiliary Squadrons, seven Coast Guard Stations and their respective Sub-Stations, as well as the central staff of the CGADNCR-CL and the CGDNCR-CL. It was graced by also PCGA National Director VADM JOSEPHY N DY PCGA, CDR WILLIAM ARQUERO PCG of CG-7. COMMO JOEL GARCIA PCG, Commander of the CGDNCR-CL, as the guest of honor emphasized the strengthening of partnership between the PCG and the PCGA, of improving the PCGA Regulations Manual with new Memorandum Circulars for amendments, and of having the true heart and spirit of volunteerism. The event witnessed the presentation of the new Memorandum Circulars released by CGDNCR-CL based on the resolutions formed during the Subic Workshop last February. Officers have also participated in the break out session where new resolutions were drafted for Maritime Safety, Maritime Search and Rescue, Marine Environmental Protection, Community Relations and Administrative Matters. The approved resolutions will be presented to the PCGA National Convention on May for inclusion in the amended PCGA Manual. Two new Squadrons were likewise activated, namely 111th and 134th, while the new members of the 107th Squadron were inducted. The event was concluded by an Audio-Video Presentation contest among the 16 Squadrons, of which, the 125th Squadron was adjudged as the winner. Half of the cash prize given by VADM DY PCGA and RADM PRIETO PCGA will be donated to the Squadron's partner station CGS Cavite for its headquarters reconstruction project while the remaining half will be saved as Squadron funds for future operational expense and asset procurement. |
The Site Moderator... is the 125th Squadron's Deputy Chief of Staff for Training and Protocol. She writes for two maritime publications, one maritime radio show and for the Philippine Coast Guard Public Affairs Office. Archives
March 2018
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