He succeeded VADM VALENTIN B PRIETO JR PCGA and is the first National Director from the south.

VADM SUR PCGA was the Immediate Past District Director of Coast Guard Auxiliary District Southeastern Mindanao (CGADSEM) where last year's National Convention was held in Davao. 

Describing himself as an "accidental candidate", VADM SUR PCGA assured the continuity of the projects spearheaded by VADM PRIETO PCGA in an environment of unity and harmony. 

In his valedictory speech, meanwhile, VADM PRIETO PCGA, expressed his heartfelt thanks to the Philippine Coast Guard and to the entire PCGA for supporting the projects and activities of the organization, showing the true spirit of volunteerism and professionalism. He also presented the National Auxiliary Main Office (NAMO) Staff that served with him throughout his term - the Team Sandigan. 

The PCGA NACON is an annual event where members from 13 Auxiliary Districts from all over the country gather to review the previous year’s performance, connect and socialize with fellow officers from other regions, and to propose and adopt resolutions to improve the organization and to effectively assist the PCG accomplish its mission of promoting safety of life and properties at sea, and protecting the marine environment.

This year's lectures include the "Community-based Mangrove Rehabilitation as part of Disaster Preparedness for the Coastal Communities" by the environmental expert Dr. Jurgenne Primavera PhD, and the "State of Philippine Coral Reefs and Importance of Benham Rise" By Wilfredo Y. Licuanan PhD.

Next year's National Convention will be held in Cagayan de Oro, CGAD Northern Mindanao. The Convention Symbol was turned-over to Commodore Gilbert B. Gille.

​​The Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary (PCGA) marked its 46th year by holding its first ever Anniversary and Awards Ball celebration at the Heritage Hotel Manila last February 24.
 
The event was graced by some of the country’s lawmakers who are also members of the PCGA – Rear Admiral Richard J. Gordon, and Commodore Cynthia Villar. It was also graced by Department of Transportation (DOTR) Assistant Secretary Lino H. Dabi to represent Secretary Arthur P. Tugade, Philippine Coast Guard Commandant Rear Admiral Elson E. Hermogino, Mr. David F. Williams of the United States Embassy, and Lieutenant Abigail Clark of the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary.
 
The Awards and Anniversary Ball was well attended by over 300 officers of the Coast Guard Auxiliary from its 13 Districts nationwide.
 
In his speech, PCGA National Director Vice Admiral Valentin B. Prieto Jr. stated that the organization stayed strong for the past 46 years due to its volunteers “who serve to help and not to gain”.
 
“We will continue to surge ahead as a team because of our vision of serving in an environment of unity and brotherhood. We march forward with our dream of being able to produce a professional organization worthy of the pride of the Philippine Coast Guard who we are mandated to assist,” VADM Prieto said, adding that the organization will remain supportive and loyal to the Coast Guard.
 
His affirmations and assurance were well accepted by RADM Hermogino who expressed the PCG’s gratitude in the constant assistance and support of the PCGA in ensuring cleaner, safer and peaceful marine environment.
 
“We share with you the profession of life saving where the two important requisite are Individual Initiative and Courage. The Command is truly grateful that you stayed in the service and kept the flame of passion burning. You are all possessed with the desire to be of service to all in the community in even the most trivial matters,” RADM Hermogino said.
 
This was echoed by ASEC. Dabi in saying “allow me to give our gratitude and appreciation for all your efforts, labours and hardwork. Working together with PCGA ensures a great success in achieving and pursuing our common goal of protecting and preserving the marine environment for the future generation. Please continue your advocacy in offering your helping hands as this would really bring significant and valuable contribution to our nation building... your organization have already done so much for our country.”
 
PCGA is the uniformed civilian-volunteer group which was created in 1972 to assist the Coast Guard in maritime safety, maritime search and rescue, marine environmental protection, and maritime community relations. Its functions were institutionalized with the implementation of the Republic Act 9993 or the Philippine Coast Guard Law of 2009. 

  The Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary (PCGA) takes the value of volunteerism several notches higher than the usual as it brings the best practices of various industries to the organization.
 
   As the uniformed-civilian volunteer group of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), the PCGA continues to be its steadfast partner in the promotion of safety of life and properties at sea, protection of the marine environment, the conduct of maritime search and rescue, and strengthening maritime community relations.
 
   The PCGA, on top of these missions, uphold a good working relationship with the Coast Guard to pursue a common goal of protecting and preserving the country’s marine environment.
 
“We will pursue our common goals with the Philippine Coast Guard in an atmosphere of friendship, understanding, brotherhood, and mutual respect,” says PCGA National Director VADM VALENTIN B PRIETO JR PCGA.
 
    The PCGA leadership has also set the benchmark for its 13 Auxiliary Districts to become fully relevant and reliable partners of the Coast Guard through the Mandatory Projects under its four (4) functional areas; this includes the following:

1. Maritime Safety
   • Activation of Vessels
   • Passenger Assistance
   • Rules of the Road Training
2. Maritime Search and Rescue
   • Coastal Community Evacuation Drill
   • Basic/Advanced Life Support Training
3. Marine Environmental Protection
   • Coastal Cleanup
   • Underwater cleanup
   • Reef Enhancement Project
   • Mangrove Planting
4. Maritime Community Relations
   • Organizing of Coastal Community Auxiliary Division (CCAD)
   • Livelihood Program for (CCADs)
   • PCG-NSTP

 
    On top of these Mandatory Projects, the PCGA continues to hold its regular community programs such as relief and rehabilitation operations, medical/dental missions, feeding programs, blood-letting activities and Oplan Balik Eskwela. It also fully supports PCG activities by joining in the latter’s events such as anniversary celebrations, sportsfests, change of command and testimonials.
 
    To further enhance the readiness of its members, most especially the CCADs, the PCGA has implemented significant technical trainings to include Basic and Advanced Life Support, Basic Boat Handling, Incident Command System (ICS), Water Search and Rescue, Open-Water Diving and Coast Community Evacuation Drills.
 
    The soft skills of the PCGA officers were also addressed through the Ladderized Training Program which sets the leadership and scholastic standards for officers prior to their promotion. This covers modules on Leadership and Management, Protocol, PCGA Functional Areas, Human Relations, Financial Management, and Project Management. These set of programs are implemented by PCGA’s Training and Education Staff that went through the rigorous Train the Trainers Program.
 
    In terms of leadership, the PCGA strives to bring the creme de la creme among its officers to lead its Auxiliary Districts, Squadrons and Divisions. The National Auxiliary Main Office (NAMO) prepares the future PCGA leaders by putting in place the Auxiliary Directors’ Training required for prospective Squadron and District Directors.
 
  The PCG Auxiliary also strengthens its working relationship with its international counterparts by joining the annual US Coast Guard Auxiliary National Convention in Florida last August. These opened doors for a wider fellowship and cooperation with other foreign Coast Guard Auxiliaries.
 
   Among the many highlights of PCGA’s accomplishments this year is the successful conduct of its National Convention held in Davao last May 23. The event was graced by President Rodrigo R. Duterte and Davao City Mayor Sarah Duterte-Carpio. More than 10,000 PCGA members gathered in Davao-SMX to participate in the said annual event to review the previous years’ performance, connect and socialize with other fellow officers.
 
    Truly, the Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary practices the “ABCD” of volunteerism – Above and Beyond the Call of Duty.  

​PCGA-PIO: The officers and members of the Coast Guard Auxiliary District NCR-Central Luzon (CGADNCR-CL) celebrated the country's 119th Anniversary of the Philippine Independence.
 
Likewise, an estimated 500 patients were assisted during the Medical and Dental Mission by around 50 PCGA officers who were doctors, dentists, nurses and medical practitioners by profession. Other members also assisted at the said activity by taking the medical history of the patients, assisting in the dispensing of free medicines and eyeglasses, and conducting crowd control.
 
Meanwhile, a Static Display was held last June 11-12 at the Quirino Grandstand where all the Search and Rescue Equipment and Assets of the Philippine Coast Guard, Philippine Cost Guard Auxiliary, and other uniformed-service organizations were displayed in the two-day exhibit.
 
The CGADNCR-CL contingent was headed by its Director Auxiliary District
​COMMO KENNETH D RECLUSADO PCGA along with the 101st, 102nd, 106th 107th, 115th, 125th and 126th Auxiliary Squadrons.
 
The event was graced by the PCGA National Director VADM VALENTIN B PRIETO JR PCGA, his Deputy for Administration RADM GERONIMO P REYES PCGA, and the National Chief of Staff COMMO MYLENE CO PCGA. 

PCGA-PIO: Davao City has opened its doors to about 1000 members of the Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary (PCGA) for its 33rd National Convention with no less than the Philippine President as the guest of honor.
 
President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, in his speech, reiterated the country’s claim in the contested regions of the West Philippine Sea and how the uniformed service can strongly support such significant undertaking.
 
The event, which was held in SMX Convention Center in Lanang, Davao City last May 19 and 20, was likewise attended by Davao City Mayor Sarah Duterte-Carpio, who is also an Auxiliary Captain and Squadron Director with the PCGA. It was also graced by Philippine Coast Guard Officer-in-Charge COMMO JOEL S GARCIA PCG, Ph.d, H.D, Al-Haj and
PCGA National Director VADM VALENTIN B PRIETO JR PCGA.
 
The PCGA NACON is an annual event where members from 12 Auxiliary Districts from all over the country gather to review the previous year’s performance, connect and socialize with fellow officers from other regions, and to propose and adopt resolutions to improve the organization and to effectively assist the PCG accomplish its mission of promoting safety of life and properties at sea, and protecting the marine environment.
 
This year’s NACON also featured an audio-visual presentation on maritime search and rescue (MARSAR) and the essence of volunteerism as discussed by
COMMO ERNESTO T ECHAUZ PCGA, the Support Group Director for MARSAR.
 
The PCGA is currently headed by businessman, VADM VALENTIN B PRIETO JR PCGA, assisted by his two deputies RADM SALVADOR G TIANGCO JR PCGA for Operations and
RADM GERONIMO P REYES PCGA for Administration.
 
The PCGA, a uniformed-civilian volunteer organization, currently has about 10,000 members from all across the country. It assists the Philippine Guard through maritime safety, maritime search and rescue, marine environment protection, and maritime community relations. To further help the PCG accomplish its mission, the PCGA has recently formed its own Auxiliary Air Group and Auxiliary Flotilla to deploy its surface and air assets during emergency situations.