The Philippine Coast Guard’s (PCG) first and largest multi-role response vessel (MRRV) is now on its way to the Philippines after departing from Japan early last week.
The MRRV-9701, which will be commissioned as BRP Teresa Magbanua, will be the biggest addition to the PCG’s fleet to date.
It was built by Mitsubishi Shipbuilding Co., Ltd based on the Kunigami class design, in Shimonoseki, Japan.
The BRP Teresa Magbanua was named in honor of the Filipina schoolteacher and miltary leader who bravely fought during the Spanish, the American and the Japanese war in the country.
It will be utilized by PCG in enhancing maritime security, maritime safety, maritime search and rescue, at marine environmental protection in the vast Philippine waters.
“After complying with IATF guidelines to control the spread of COVID-19, the PCG officers and crew on board MRRV-9701 will join the organization in honoring the arrival of the Coast Guard’s largest asset to date at the vicinity waters off Manila Bay,” PCG said in a statement.
The deal between the Philippine government and shipbuilder Mitsubishi was worth P6.5-B for two units and was signed on February 2020. It is part of the Department of Transportation’s (DOTr) Maritime Safety Capability Improvement Project Phase II (MSCIP Phase 2) for PCG’s modernization program.
The new MRRV is approximately 97 meters long and has a maximum speed of not less than 24 knots with endurance of not less than 4,000 nautical miles.
Prior to the arrival of MRRV-9701, a a signing of protocol for delivery at shipyard and traditional send-off ceremony were held at Shimonoseki Shipyard in Japan last February 21, 2022.
Among those in attendance were Rear Admiral Amatatsu (7th Regional Coast Guard Headquarters), Captain Fukui (Commanding Officer of JCG Kunisaki-PL 09); CG Commander Erwin Tolentino (Commanding Officer of MRRV-9701), and CG Commander Artzel Anacan (Executive Officer of MRRV-9701), Minister and Consul Evangeline Ong Jimenez-Ducrocq (Head of Political Section), Colonel Randy Espino PA (GSC) of PhilDAFA; and Master Sergeant Alejandro Santos II PA.