Three flag officers of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) were recommended to assume the organization’s top post as its current commandant retired Monday.
Admiral Joel Garcia, Coast Guard commandant, formally vacated his post Monday after 35 years of service, the Coast Guard said.
Vice Admiral Leopoldo Laroya, Vice Admiral George Ursabia Jr, and Rear Admiral Jose William Isaga have been recommended to Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade for PCG’s top post.
Tugade will then recommend to President Duterte the appointment of the 29th Coast Guard commandant.
Laroya is the current deputy commandant of the Coast Guard and a member of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) class of 1988.
Ursabia is the current commander of the PCG – Marine Environmental Protection Command and the Task Group Laban COVID-19 Water Cluster, and a member of the PMA Class of 1987.
Isaga is the acting chief of Coast Guard Staff and the current commander of the PCG District Southwestern Mindanao in Zamboanga City, and a member of the PMA Class of 1989.
As Garcia retired from service, the organization paid tribute to him and expressed gratitude to his “inspiring leadership.”
As he retired from service, Garcia hopes that the next PCG Commandant “will continue the pending projects of the Command, including the construction of the first PCG Hospital, K9 Training Center and Hospital, Unified Command Center, and Integrated Coastal Central Command and Control Systems, among others.” (Betheena Unite)
