The Japan Coast Guard (JCG) conducted capacity-building support with its counterparts in the Philippines, particularly on onboard boat maneuvering and fire-fighting exercises.
The activity is part of Japan’s broader commitment to assist the Philippines in developing its maritime and disaster response capacities.
The JCG conducted this through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) from August 25 to September 7.
The JCG’s Mobile Cooperation Team (MCT) delivered hands-on technical guidance to the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) crew operating a 97-meter class patrol vessel and two 44-meter class patrol vessels, all provided by Japan.
These training are directly aligned with the field operations of the PCG, ensuring that the crews are better equipped to handle maritime challenges.
Before this, Japan and the Philippines had conducted joint disaster response exercises as part of its four-year Japan-Philippines Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Response (HADR) Cooperation Project Framework.
The framework seeks to enhance the disaster readiness of both countries, preparing them to effectively respond to natural calamities like volcanic eruptions, tsunamis, earthquakes, and floods.
