The construction phase of the Philippine Coast Guard’s (PCG) latest fleet expansion has formally begun, with the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and Mitsubishi Shipbuilding holding a kick-off meeting for the multi-role response vessels (MRRVs).
The meeting, held from August 24 to 28, 2026, at Mitsubishi Shipbuilding’s Shimonoseki Shipyard in Japan, marked the formal start of the Maritime Safety Capability Improvement Project (MSCIP) Phase III. The project covers the detailed design, construction, testing, and eventual delivery of the five vessels.
The DOTr-PCG delegation was led by Assistant Secretary for Maritime Villamor Ventura S. Plan, who described the vessels as a significant investment in the Philippine Coast Guard’s capabilities.
Once delivered, the five MRRVs are expected to expand the coast guard’s ability to conduct sustained and extended operations across the Philippines’ extensive maritime domain. The vessels will support missions including maritime safety and security, search and rescue, maritime law enforcement and environmental protection.
The kick-off meeting also focused on managing risks associated with the project at an early stage. DOTr-PCG and Mitsubishi Shipbuilding discussed potential technical, contractual, scheduling and operational risks, with the aim of addressing issues before they affect major project milestones.
The five vessels will add to the PCG’s fleet of major ships and form part of the Philippines’ continuing effort to modernize the service and strengthen its ability to maintain a sustained presence across the country’s maritime domain.
With construction now formally underway, DOTr-PCG and Mitsubishi Shipbuilding have committed to continued coordination throughout the project to support the timely and quality-compliant delivery of the five MRRVs in accordance with their contractual, technical and operational requirements.