05 May 2006 – Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary for United Nations and International Organizations (UNIO) Aladin G. Villacorte announced that UNIO Director Jesus S. Domingo was awarded the Outstanding Achievement Medal (OAM) of the Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary (PCGA) in recognition of his active participation in the planning and execution of humanitarian relief operations for Mindoro Oriental last December 2005 to January 2006.

Mr. Domingo holds the rank of Captain in the PCGA and is the commanding officer of the 130th PCGA squadron headquartered in the DFA. The 130th squadron and other PCGA units had ferried several tons of relief goods by air, land and sea, to the victims of flooding in Mindoro.

The OAM is the highest decoration awarded to PCGA members, and was awarded to Domingo during ceremonies held on 4 May at the PCGA’s Auxiliary Tactical Operations Forces (ATOF) Headquarters located at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) and presided over by Vice Admiral Joselito C, Aseneiro, PCGA Natonal Commander.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo also awarded the PCGA the Presidential Unit Citation in recognition fo its contributions to relief operations for St. Bernard, Southern Leyte.  Rear Admiral Nestor Levanza, ATOF Commander and Commodore Danilo Cabalde, PCGA NCR-CL Deputy District Commander also presented merit and proficiency awards. Director Miguel R. Bautista of the Philippine Mission in Geneva, a PCGA Commander, was also an awardee.

Assistant Secretary Villacorte said that the PCGA is being tapped to join UNIO’s “White Helmets” project through the 130th Squadron. The White Helmets, mandated by the UN General Assembly, are nationally-raised contingents of trained volunteer civilians intended to assist in international and regional humanitarian assistance missions, and complement the new “peace-building” thrust of the UN. They are essentially the humanitarian counterparts and law enforcement-oriented “Blue Helmets” Peacekeepers draw from the police and armed forces.

Assistant Secretary Villacorte added that the Mindoro and Leyte missions provided invaluable lessons for planning future White Helmet missions.

The PCGA is the volunteer wing of the PCG, and engages in activities such as humanitarian relief, search and rescue operations, maritime safety and environmental protection. DFA officers and personnel are welcome to join the PCGA 130th Squadron, based in UNIO. END