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The Philippine government has started building two 50.5-meter Multi-mission Offshore Vessels (MMOV) on January 27, Thursday during the Keel Laying Ceremony for said vessels. The vessels will be assigned to Department of Agriculture – Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DA-BFAR).

The said vessels will be first in their class to be built in the Philippines. Each vessel costs PhP 178.5 Million.

“This momentous event indicates the government’s serious commitment for inclusive growth and poverty alleviation in all sectors, particularly agriculture and fisheries sectors, as we further intensify the country’s stance against illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing,” said Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala who was present at the Keel Laying Ceremony with Jose Luis Alano of National Coast Watch Center (NCWC), BFAR Director Asis Perez, and other government officials.

BFAR said the design was created by Incat Crowther, a reputable ship designer based in the United States. The vessels will be built at Josefa Slipways, a medium category local shipyard in Navotas City.

“All plans, drawings, and calculations, meanwhile, are in accordance with the rules of the internationally acclaimed Bureau Veritas Classification Society known for its expertise in Testing, Inspection, and Certification (TIC),” BFAR said.

The vessel construction became possible through the collaborative efforts of MARINA, DA-BFAR, Philippine Coast Guard and Philippine Navy.

BFAR is planning to ask the Congress for additional funds in 2017 for four more Multi-mission Offshore Vessels (MMOV). “We will be asking PhP250 million each [for the next four] so we can attain a faster speed geared for rescue operations,” Perez said.

“These vessels are made in the Philippines, made by Filipino, and funded using our own money, the taxpayers’ money,” the BFAR Director added.