PCG eyes drones to modernize the country’s maritime patrol

THE Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) is looking at sophisticated drones to boost its capabilities and strengthen the country’s border security.

PCG spokesman Rear Admiral Armando Balilo said using drones could save the unit time and fuel in the conduct of maritime patrols.

“If we can have our way, all districts of the Philippine Coast Guards should have at least one drone each,” Balilo said during the Saturday News Forum in Quezon City.

Balilo also narrated the PCG’s participation in a trilateral maritime

Solon asks DOH to help bring ASF vax to farmers

SENATOR Francis Tolentino has asked newly appointed Health Secretary Ted Herbosa to help livestock raisers combat African Swine Flu (ASF) and Avian Influenza Flu (AIF).

Tolentino told Herbosa to coordinate with the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) in delivering the much-needed vaccines to the hog and poultry raisers. In a radio interview, Tolentino regretted that existing policies limit the number of doses to be given to the farmers, not to mention the high costs of the medicines.

“Pwede po bang magtulungan ang Department of Health at Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI)? Para naman siguro etong kakulangan sa bakuna sa ating mga poultry products at sa ating mga baboy ay matulungan natin ang ating mga magsasaka,” Tolentino said.

“Marami po tayong mga magsasaka na nahihirapan sa pronouncement ng Bureau of Animal Industry na yung bakuna para sa swine flu eh 400 o 600 at may kamahalan,” he noted.

Tolentino recalled that during his recent visit to Pampanga, hog raisers and poultry operators told him they were willing to pay for the vaccines to sustain their source of livelihood. However, the volume of doses allowed by the BAI was insufficient to meet the farmers’ demands.

Herbosa vowed to address the problem, saying he would immediately coordinate with the Department of Agriculture (DA) to find out how they could collaborate to resolve the farmers’ concerns.

exercise with its counterparts in Japan and the United States, held in Mariveles, Bataan last June 1-7. He said during the “Kaagapay” drills, the PCG learned that the US Coast Guard has a large drone that can conduct surveillance over a large area of the ocean.

Japan’s Coast Guard was also using US-made surveillance drones, Balilo said.

“That’s what we don’t have, and when we saw it, we cannot help but by envious. It’s really a big thing,” Balilo said. While he admitted that modern drones were expensive, he asserted that it would still be cost-effective considering the aircraft’s potential to conduct unmanned surveillance over the high seas.

Balilo pointed out that the use of drones would make it easier to monitor the presence of foreign vessels and other unlawful maritime operations.

The Coast Guard officer conjured