US allocates USD20-M for NCWC

From the Philippine News Agency (Apr 30): US allocates USD20-M for NCWC

Demonstrating commitment to Philippine efforts to improve its maritime security, the US Embassy in Manila announced that the American Government has provided USD20-million for the National Coast Watch Center (NCWC).

This is equivalent to Php880-million. It is located near the Manila South Harbor.

The NCWC is the center that provides critical information fusion and 24 hour operations to support enhanced awareness of the country's maritime domain.

Future incremental improvements are planned to fully realize the potential of the center.

US Ambassador to the Philippines Philip S. Goldberg cut the ribbon inaugurating the NCWC last Tuesday.

The NCWC is a multi-year partnership funded by the Defense Threat Reduction Agency as part of the WMD Proliferation Prevention Program’s Maritime Security project.

The project, when complete, will tie together more than a dozen stations and sensors, as well as ships of the Coast Guard, to provide a more comprehensive picture of ships and vessels operating in or near Philippine waters.

Maritime domain awareness is crucial for the Philippines as it increases its abilities to thwart smuggling, illegal fishing, other criminal activities as well as improving defense capacity.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=757731