NEW PCG COMMANDANT. Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Deputy Commandant for Administration, Vice Adm. Joel Garcia, is set to assume the post of commandant on Oct. 24, 2019. President Rodrigo Duterte signed Garcia’s appointment paper on Monday (Oct. 21, 2019). (Photo courtesy of Joel Garcia)
MANILA -- President Rodrigo Duterte has appointed Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Deputy Commandant for Administration, Vice Adm. Joel Garcia, as commandant.
Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said Duterte signed Garcia’s appointment paper on Monday, shortly before leaving for his fourth official visit to Japan.
Garcia will assume his new post on Thursday when outgoing Commandant, Adm. Elson Hermogino, retires from his 38-year service, he said.
“We are confident that the incoming commandant, a man of vast knowledge, competence and integrity, would continue to lead and advance the PCG to greater heights,” Panelo said.
Garcia, a graduate of the Philippine Merchant Marine Academy (PMMA), is executive director of the National Coast Watch Center, under the Office of the President; and chairs the Governing Council of the Regional Cooperation Agreement on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships in Asia, based in Singapore.
He earned his master’s degrees in Maritime Safety Administration and in Shipping Management from the World Maritime University (WMU) in Malmo, Sweden, and the PMMA, respectively.
Likewise, he earned his doctorate in Public Administration from the Eulogio Amang Rodriguez Institute of Science and Technology (EARIST) and was conferred an honorary doctorate in Humanities by the Sulu State College for his humanitarian services.
The new PCG commandant also served as chairman of the Committee on Islamic Religious Studies and member of the Technical Panels in Humanities and Maritime Education respectively, of the Commission on Higher Education from 2003 to 2010.
Garcia commanded capital ships from the Navy and the Coast Guard, held key positions at the headquarters, and led four Coast Guard districts — two functional commands and two major support commands.
He teaches Maritime Administration and Environmental Economics subjects at the PMMA Graduate School.
Visionary leader
In a statement, PCG spokesperson, Capt. Armando Balilo said the PCG command thanked President Duterte for “choosing a visionary leader who cares for the welfare of his subordinates and is passionate in accomplishing the PCG’s mandates”.
Balilo said the PCG was also grateful for Hermogino’s service and for leading the PCG to “great feats towards the advancement of the Command”.
“Admiral Hermogino has truly served his entire military service with selfless devotion for the benefit of the Filipino nation,” Balilo said. (With reports from Reymond Carl Dela Cruz/PNA)
