President Rodrigo Duterte has appointed Vice Admiral (VADM) George V. Ursabia, Jr. as the new commandant of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) effective June 1, 2020.
Ursabia’s appointment paper was signed on June 1. He replaces Admiral Joel Garcia, who formally retires also on June 1 after 35 years in service.
“I know that VADM Ursabia will continue the significant developments that as a leader at the helm, must geared upon for the greater benefits of the Command,” Garcia, who was appointed commandant of PCG in October last year, said in a statement.
Ursabia entered entered the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) in 1983 and graduated as a member of “Hinirang” Class of 1987.
He pursued a Master of Science Degree in Maritime Safety and Environmental Protection as a scholar of Sasakawa Foundation, Japan, and eventually earned a post-graduate degree from the World Maritime University in Malmo, Sweden in 1999.
In his more than 36 years of active service, Ursabia held various positions both in the Philippine Navy and PCG.
Prior his last designation as the commander of the PCG Marine Environmental Protection Command, Ursabia was the commander of Coast Guard Districts in Central Visayas, Palawan, Southeastern Mindanao, and Northern Luzon, as well as the commander of the Coast Guard Ready Force and Staff for Maritime Safety Affairs.
During his service, Ursabia earned the most coveted Command-at-Sea Badge as he commanded three Coast Guard Search And Rescue vessels namely: BRP Romblon (SARV-3503), BRP Davao Del Norte (SARV 3504), and BRP Pampanga (SARV 003), as well as three Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources 30-meter patrol boats.
Ursabia currently acts as the commander of the Task Group Laban COVID-19 Water Cluster, a joint effort of the PCG, Philippine Navy, and Philippine National Police-Maritime Group. He plays crucial roles in the deployment and operations of PCG personnel as part of the government forces in ensuring the safety and security of the Filipino people in this time of pandemic.
