THE Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), through its Coast Guard Strategic Studies and International Affairs Center (CGSSIAC), convened the Lopez-Jaena Dialogue Series 5 on September 3 at the Metropolitan Theater Ballroom in Ermita, Manila, to examine the nation’s evolving maritime security and economic strategies.
Organized in partnership with the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), the event centered on the theme “Maritime Security & Safety and Sustainable Development: The PCG Role in the Blue Economy.”
The gathering assembled key stakeholders from government agencies, academia, and private industry.
Opening the proceedings, CGSSIAC Deputy Director CAPT Aileen P. Cainap PCG underscored the ocean’s role as an economic lifeline for the nation, stressing that sustainable growth requires robust security.
The first panel focused on institutional governance, technological investment, and research.
Academics and policy experts—including UP Diliman Marine Science Institute Professor Emeritus Dr. Rhodora V. Azanza, Asian School of Governance Managing Director Prof. Elmer Soriano, and Cebu Technological University Director Dr. Jonathan C. Maglasang—discussed framework strategies to strengthen the PCG’s capacity in advancing the ocean economy.
A second session addressed the physical security foundations of marine development.
PCG Deputy Chief of Coast Guard Staff for Operations COMMO Dann August A. Cariño, Philippine Navy NAVMETOC Inspector General CDR Joy A. Tañag, and PNP Maritime Group Legal Chief PLTCOL Marlo Y. Gabato highlighted inter-agency coordination between sea-based services to protect maritime interests.
German Embassy Deputy Head of Mission Mathias Kruse delivered a keynote address defining the Blue Economy as the creation of sustainable economic value while protecting ecological balance.
Synthesizing the discussions, PCG Senior Advisor Maria Regina Corazon Sevilla Sibal noted that long-term ocean health directly serves national security.
Closing the dialogue, PCG Deputy Commandant for Administration VADM Hostillo Arturo E. Cornelio reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to maintaining safe and clean seas through continuous collaboration across sectors and international partners.
