Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 1) — President Rodrigo Duterte has appointed Vice Admiral George Ursabia as the new Commandant of the Philippine Coast Guard, the PCG announced on Monday.
Ursabia, the 27th head of the Coast Guard, replaced Admiral Joel Garcia who retired Monday after 35 years of service. A copy of his appointment paper signed by Duterte was also released.
“I know that VADM Ursabia will continue the significant developments that as a leader at the helm, must be geared upon for the greater benefits of the Command,” Garcia said.
The new commandant has more than 36 years of active service. Prior to taking up the position, Ursabia was the PCG Commander for Marine Environmental Protection Command. He was also the Commander of Coast Guard Districts in Central Visayas, Palawan, Southeastern Mindanao, and Northern Luzon, and the Commander of the Coast Guard Ready Force and Staff for Maritime Safety Affairs.
He graduated from the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) in 1987. He then pursued a Master of Science Degree in Maritime Safety and Environmental Protection as a scholar, followed by a post-graduate degree from the World Maritime University in Sweden in 1999.
Ursabia also earned the Command-at-Sea Badge for serving as commander of three Coast Guard Search and Rescue vessels: the BRP Romblon, BRP Davao Del Norte, and BRP Pampanga, as well as three 30-meter patrol boats of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources.
In terms of keeping public health and safety amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Ursabia heads the Task Group Laban Covid-19 Water Cluster — a joint effort of the PCG, Philippine Navy, and the Philippine National Police Maritime Group.
