US firm to build Phl $18-M coast watch system

MANILA, Philippines - An American firm has bagged a contract to build a coast watch center aimed at boosting the Philippines’ maritime border security.

Massachusetts-based company Raytheon said it had been awarded a contract to design and construct a National Coast Watch Center by the Philippine government last July.

The project costs $18 million or about P795 million. It covers support integration of data from various agencies in the coast watch center, installation, training and radio communications.

The construction of the National Coast Watch Center is Raytheon’s first border security-related contract in Southeast Asia. The contract will end on July 31, 2015.

“With this contract, Raytheon continues its role in providing critical services and solutions to help other countries deter, detect and interdict illicit weapons and materials that could harm their citizens,” said David Appel, Raytheon director of surveillance, range and infrastructure solutions.

In its website, Raytheon described itself as a company specializing in defense, security and civil markets. The company offers services related to electronics, mission systems integration, communications, sensing capabilities, intelligence systems and mission support.

In 2011, President Aquino signed Executive Order 57, which created the national coast watch system. The order aims to expand the country’s naval security operations and to protect its natural resources. The order expanded the scope of Coast Watch South, which handles maritime security in Southern Philippines, to cover the entire country.

The order also formed the National Coast Watch Council, which serves as the central interagency mechanism for coordinated maritime security operations. The body will be in charge of formulating strategic direction and policy guidance for the national coast watch system, including multinational and cross-border cooperation.

The council is led by the executive secretary and composed of the heads of the defense, transportation, foreign affairs, interior, justice, energy, finance, environment and agriculture departments.