PCG eyes transfer to Bilibid

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Coast Guard is looking into the possibility of transferring its headquarters from Port Area, Manila to the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) reservation in Muntinlupa City, a PCG official said yesterday.

PCG commandant Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan had a meeting with Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) chief Gregorio Catapang Jr. at the NBP compound on Monday, according to PCG spokesman Rear Admiral Armand Balilo.

Among the topics discussed during the meeting was the PCG’s interest in relocating its headquarters to the government center that will be set up at the NBP compound’s Katarungan or Justice Village, Balilo said.

“Our request was for BuCor to allocate 20 hectares for us to build our headquarters, and for us to have a parade ground and a training center. But apparently, BuCor has limitations and (officials) would still have to check if they could give us 20 hectares,” Balilo said.

He added that the BuCor could initially commit to only three hectares for the PCG.

“If it is three hectares, it is also good and we would just put a high-rise building, if we would push through with this project,” Balilo said.

The PCG’s current headquarters – in a two-story building sitting on two hectares – can no longer accommodate its increasing functions and offices, he said.

Balilo said the PCG has “had to rent office spaces in nearby areas in Port Area.”

Should the PCG transfer its headquarters to the NBP reservation, the agency may transfer its National Capital Region-Central Luzon District office to its Port Area facility, according to Balilo. The NCR-CL office is currently located at the Parola Compound in Binondo, Manila.

These plans are still under discussion and there are other government agencies that have reportedly signified interest in occupying office space at the planned NBP government center. Among these are the Bureau of Immigration and the National Bureau of Investigation.

During Gavan’s meeting with Catapang, Balilo said the PCG offered some of its services to the BuCor such as the use of vehicles to relocate inmates, aircraft for conducting inspections of prisons and penal facilities, and training BuCor personnel in K9 handling, security, medical and other specialized skills.

Balilo said the PCG is also interested in acquiring 20 hectares in the BuCor’s Iwahig Prison and Penal Farm in Puerto Princesa, Palawan, where it can set up a satellite, search and rescue or monitoring base.

“We would be looking for a portion of the Iwahig Farm that is facing the West Philippine Sea so that we can immediately dispatch our ships” in case of emergency, he added.