Coast Guard, PNP ink pact on disaster response coordination

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and Philippine National Police (PNP) forged an agreement on Monday to help each other enhance their disaster response capabilities, particularly in search-and-rescue operations. Coast Guard commandant Admiral Wilfredo Tamayo and PNP chief Director General Raul Bacalzo signed the memorandum of agreement at PNP headquarters in Camp Crame. “(Climate) change, which is expected to result in rising sea level and storm surges have made it imperative for government agencies to work together, develop their interoperability and strengthen their partnership," Tamayo said in a bulletin posted on the Coast Guard website. "The MOA with the PNP will definitely not be the last as PCG plans to forge agreements with other agencies including non-governmental organizations," Tamayo added. According to the PCG, the memorandum of agreement is a response to the pronouncement of the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) that more than 20 cyclones are expected to visit the country this year. These cyclones are expected to bring heavy and continuous rains that may cause flash floods and landslides around the country. Monday's agreement aims to enhance cooperation of both agencies in disaster operations information sharing and cross training exercises for their rescue personnel. Tamayo expressed his gratitude to Bacalzo for the initiative, saying the public will directly benefit from the cooperation. – VVP, GMA News