The Sangguniang Panlalawigan approved a resolution urging Admiral George V. Ursabia Jr., Commandant of Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) to consider establishing the Philippine Coast Guard Academy in Barangay Apurawan, Aborlan, Palawan during the 58th Regular Session, September 8, 2020.
The resolution will signify and show the resolve of the province to establish the first ever PCG Academy in the country in the municipality Aborlan.
“This resolution will strengthen our resolve that the Province of Palawan is willing to accept the Philippine Coast Guard Academy in our jurisdiction to help and improve the system of admission of the Philippine Coast Guard,” said Board Member Ryan Maminta, the principal author of the resolution.
PCG considered the 200-hectare land in Brgy. Apurawan, Aborlan during the conception of the project because of its strategic location facing the West Philippine Sea as well as the availability and readiness of the area to accommodate a training facility.
“Barangay Apurawan is facing the West Philippine Sea and in Aborlan, mas malawak po yung lugar doon at ready rin yung lugar para mag-accommodate ng isang facility na kung saan, akma sa pangangailangan at higit sa lahat, sa magiging mandato ng Philippine Coast Guard na training facility tulad ng isang akademya,” Maminta added.
According to Maminta, the planned PCG Academy will serve as an institution dedicated in preparing, educating, and training future PCG officers just like how Philippine Military Academy (PMA) and Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA) train and produce military and police officers.
On the other hand, the Congress was unable to approve Palawan 3rd and 1st District Representatives Gil “Kabarangay Jr.” A. Acosta and Franz “Chicoy” E. Alvarez’s House Bill No. 7197 or the “Philippine Coast Guard Academy Act of 2020”. The bill was referred to the House Committee on Transportation for consolidation with Tingog Sinirangan partylist Representative Yedda Marie Romualdez and Leyte 1st District Representative Martin G. Romualdez’s House Bill No. 4161.
Under Acosta and Alvarez’s House Bill No. 7197, the PCG Academy shall be established in the 200-hectare land in Brgy. Apurawan, Aborlan, Palawan while the Romualdez’ House Bill No. 4161 aims to establish the academy in Tacloban, Leyte.