THE Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) cited the legacies under the stewardship of its commandant Admiral Wilfredo D. Tamayo notably in attaining Zero Casualty Program envisioned by President Benigno C. Aquino III enabling the command to lend a hand to about 2 million persons.

The Zero Casualty Program jived with transportation and communications (DOTC) Secretary Jose Ping De Jesus’ Zero Accident Program.

It will be recalled that Tamayo successfully steered the Coast Guard towards new direction, leading it to the right course with the enactment of Republic Act 9993, otherwise known as the Philippine Coast Guard Law of 2009, which fully established the character of the PCG as an armed and uniformed service attached to the DOTC.

It is now history that the Coast Guard, upon instructions of Aquino last July 14, 2010 with the onslaught of typhoon Basyang, has crafted a Memorandum of Agreement with the assistance of DOTC which was signed and approved recently harmonizing and integrating efforts of 12 government departments and agencies to enhance the safety of fishermen.    Efren Montano