Coast Guard awards Rep. Brian Poe for public service, disaster response efforts

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) awarded FPJ Panday Bayanihan party-List Rep. Brian Poe the Medal of Merit and the Medal of Disaster Relief and Rehabilitation in recognition of his contributions to public service and disaster response.

Poe expressed his gratitude to the PCG, emphasizing that the recognition serves as both an honor and a renewed responsibility to continue helping Filipinos, particularly communities affected by disasters and other crises.

“I receive these awards with deep gratitude and humility. For me, this recognition is not only an honor, it is also a responsibility and a challenge to do even more,” Poe said.

He underscored that public service should be measured not by awards or recognition but by the tangible difference made in people’s lives, especially those who need assistance the most.

“The true measure of our partnership will never be the medals we receive or the recognition bestowed upon us. Rather, it will always be measured in the lives that we touch, the families we rebuild, the communities we help recover,” he added.

Poe cited FPJ Panday Bayanihan’s relief and welfare response to victims of the earthquake that struck General Santos City in June, along with Project Baybayanihan, an FPJ Youth-led coastal cleanup initiative, as examples of the group’s continuing efforts to support communities and promote volunteerism.

He also credited the enduring legacy of his grandfather, the late Fernando Poe Jr. (FPJ), for shaping the organization’s commitment to putting people first, regardless of whether recognition follows.

“Public service is not about being seen, it is about whether or not people who need us the most receive our help,” Poe said.

The ceremony also highlighted the importance of investing in young leaders through the PCG–FPJ Youth partnership, which aims to expose youth volunteers to public service and encourage collaboration with uniformed personnel.

The awarding rite was graced by PCG Commandant Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan, Deputy Commandant for Operations Vice Admiral Edgar L. Ybañez, Deputy Chief of Coast Guard Staff for Civil Relations Service Commodore Lejanie Dy, Coast Guard Adjutant Commander Jaysiebell Ferrer, OIC of Chaplain Education and Training Lieutenant Jesel Love Valencia and FPJ Youth National President Rhoan Jaycen S. Franco.

Poe reaffirmed his commitment to strengthening partnerships and continuing relief, recovery, and community service initiatives for Filipinos in need.