The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) in Central Visayas is launching a significant initiative to strengthen maritime security across the province of Cebu. This move involves expanding its network of substations in key coastal communities to ensure safer ports and waterways.
Meeting with Provincial Leadership
On December 18, 2025, PCG 7 Commander Rear Admiral Agapito Bibat personally visited Governor Pamela Bari-cuatro to present the agency's plans. The primary objective discussed was to broaden the PCG's operational presence and authority across Cebu's maritime zones, ensuring more robust security coverage.
Current PCG Footprint in Cebu
Commander Bibat outlined the existing structure, which divides Cebu into four main Coast Guard stations. The Northern Cebu station, which includes areas like Carnaza in Daanbantayan and Kinatarcan in Santa Fe, currently operates 14 substations. The Central Cebu station, covering from Danao City to Carcar City, has 15 substations. The Camotes Islands station maintains 4 substations, while Southern Cebu, starting from Sibonga, has 11 substations.
Planned Expansion of Substations
The new expansion plan targets several specific areas for enhanced coverage. In Northern Cebu, the PCG proposes to add four new substations in the municipalities of Sogod, Borbon, Carnaza, and Kinatarcan.
For Southern Cebu, there are plans to increase the number of substations in several locations. The towns identified for this expansion include:
- Alcoy
- Ginatilan
- Samboan
- Barili
- Alcantara
- Ronda
This strategic deployment aims to create a denser and more responsive security net around Cebu's vital coastal infrastructure and communities.
The initiative underscores the PCG's commitment to proactive maritime safety and security management in Central Visayas. By stationing more personnel and resources closer to key ports and coastal areas, the agency aims to improve response times to incidents and bolster overall surveillance capabilities.
