Philippine Coast Guard commends Sambo for P1.5-M facility-donate
(By Marna Del Rosario)
Sto. Tomas, Pampanga-– In line with their thrust for maritime emergency response during calamities, the Philippine Coast Guard, headed by Commandant Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan, has commended Mayor John Sambo for donating a 2-storey facility amounting to P1.5 million, strategically located near the community landing fish port in Brgy. Poblacion in Sto. Tomas, Pampanga.
During the official turnover ceremony of the PCG Sto. Tomas Station, Commodore Arnaldo M. Lim, PCG Acting Commander for the Coast Guard District National Capital Region – Central Luzon, commended Mayor John Sambo’s proactive initiative by donating the facility for PCG’s use.
The state-of-the-art facility, fully donated by the local government, is set to enhance disaster response and environmental protection particularly in the river system in the coastal areas of Pampanga.
Apart from the facility, the municipality, led by Mayor Sambo, is also donating a 5,000-square meter vacant lot to the PCG, which can potentially house additional facilities for PCG schooling and training.
For his part, PCG Commandant Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan also expressed enthusiasm for Mayor Sambo’s vision of establishing a training center for incoming PCG staff and officers, as well as their existing coast guard personnel, geared to expanding PCG’s presence in Central Luzon.
“The Philippine Coast Guard expresses its sincerest gratitude to the Municipality of Sto Tomas in Pampanga, led by their dynamic and hardworking Mayor, John Sambo, for donating a 120-square meters ambient working facility to our PCG troops in Pampanga, as well as a 5,000 sq meters vacant lot, which may be a prospective training ground for the men and women of the PCG. This is a great boost to the morale of our personnel. Most of all, this shall greatly help us deliver our mandate of responding to the call of our fellow Filipinos in need, especially during times of crisis, calamities and disasters. Maraming salamat, Mayor John Sambo. Maraming salamat, Sto. Tomas,“ PCG Commandant Gavan said.
According to Mayor Sambo, the 2-storey PCG building will serve as a multi-functional area, fostering collaboration between the PCG and the Sto. Tomas LGU in addressing maritime safety, disaster preparedness, and ecological preservation.
“Alam natin na ang bayan ng Sto Tomas ay isang flood-prone area. Kaya naman po lahat ay ating gagawin para masiguro na handa tayong makapagbigay ng tulong sa ating mga kababayan tuwing may kalamidad gaya ng baha at bagyo. This new Philippine Coast Guard facility brings our coast guard officers nearer to us, so that they can help us in terms of disaster awareness, preparedness and response. This [partnership] goes to show that when the national and local governments collaborate, great things will happen.”
Sambo also reaffirmed his commitment for the progress of Sto. Tomas. He underscored the vital role of the PCG, not only in disaster management but also in advancing research on the biodiversity and sustainability of the local aquaculture industry. He hopes that the visible presence of the PCG in Sto. Tomas will inspire the youth to consider a noble career in maritime service