Born on 8-September-1965 in Polomok, South Cotabato, the 27th Commandant of the Philippine Coast Guard, VICE ADMIRAL GEORGE VILLAREAL URSABIA JR PCG was raised by his parents – the late George Kiamco Ursabia Sr and Guia Villareal-Ursabia to be a person with discipline, perseverance, and a hard worker in pursuing greater heights.
He internalized these values, which lead him to finish his education with outstanding marks. He finished his basic education at Dole Philippines School with honors. Right after, he was admitted to the Philippine Military Academy where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree, graduating in 1987 as the Top 23 out of 149. His focus on learning pushed him to pursue a Master of Science in Maritime Safety and Environmental Protection, with an A- grade at the World Maritime University in Malmo, Sweden as a scholar of Sasakawa Foundation, Japan.
After over 37 years of active service, he held major positions in the Philippine Navy and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) with competence and professionalism. In his early years, he received intelligence assignments and became a Field Station Commander for Intelligence in Davao, Zamboanga, Cebu, and Manila.
Ursabia Jr possessed a deep commitment to fulfill his role as a Security and Intelligence Specialist, which lead to the apprehension of a significant 30 Million worth high-grade cocaïne in Davao Port in 1993; the arrest of gunrunners and supporters of ASG in Zamboanga Port in 1994; and the arrest of pirates who attacked a passenger motorized launch while enroute from Cebu City to Bohol in 1995.
As a middle grade officer, Ursabia Jr commanded CGS Sarangani and CGS General Santos. Amid the security threats, he remained steadfast in implementing a holistic approach to deter terrorism. He engaged the maritime stakeholders and LGUs in collaboration with the AFP and PNP, and instituted security measures in the coastal areas to protect high-value installations, particularly the seaport of General Santos City.
Under his watch, not a single bomb exploded in his area of responsibility. He uncovered illegal entrants and apprehended 11 Indian nationals, who disguised themselves as fishermen and entered the waters off General Santos City in 2002.
After his intelligence assignments, the level of responsibilities entrusted to him was more advanced. As one of the big thinkers and strategists of the PCG, he spearheaded the implementation of International Ships and Port Security (ISPS) Code being the Head of the National Headquarters for Maritime Safety Services (CG-8). His dedication to such commendable endeavors greatly affected the country’s economic trade, as the non-compliance of our seaports to the ISPS Code would hinder the entry of ships engaged in international trade.
It is worth noting that while Ursabia Jr invested his time, energy and knowledge in such pursuits, he concurrently served as the Head Secretariat of the Liaison Office for Legislative Affairs (LOLA), which was responsible for the crafting of the PCG Bill that lead to the birth of RA 9993 or the Philippine Coast Guard Law of 2009.
With 7 years of experience as a seasoned mariner, his sea duty tour includes the following: junior billets onboard a lighthouse tender, BRP Badjao (AE-59); Executive Officer onboard a search and rescue vessel, BRP Besang Pass (AU-75); duty onboard BFAR 30-meter patrol boats to include MCS-3008, MCS-3001, and MCS-3002; Commanding Officer (CO) of CG SAR vessels to include BRP Romblon (SARV-3503), BRP Davao Del Norte (SARV-3504), and BRP Pampanga (SARV-003), the last ship where he eventually completed his billets.
Even after completion of his command at sea, Ursabia skippered BRP Corregidor (AE-891), participating in the Maritime Pollution Exercise in Balikpapan, Indonesia.
In 2006, he captured 13 Hainanese fishermen who were poaching sharks and pawikans off the Coast of Mangsee Island, Palawan. This accomplishment earned him recognition both in national and international scope, specifically from the Conservation International. Further, as Commanding Officer, he rescued and recovered 28 missing fishermen in Kalayaan Group of Islands (KGI) immediately after the onslaught of Tropical Storm “Lando” in 2007.
Ursabia Jr underwent extensive military and Coast Guard training both here and abroad. Nippon Foundation sponsored two Port State Control Officer’s Courses in Yokohama, Japan in 1995 and in 2002, both of which fostered his expertise in inspecting foreign flagged vessels. Two courses sharpened his competence as Crisis Manager: the Maritime Policy Seminar in South Korea in 2008, and the Crisis Management Course in Hawaii in 2010.
Ursabia Jr graduated Top 2 in Naval Intelligence Officer’s Course; Top 3 in Coast Guard Command and Staff Course; and Top 1 in Coast Guard Station Commander’s Course, and Command at Sea Course –consistently in the Top 3 of the class.
His representations as head or member of Philippine delegations in local and foreign affairs spurred opportunities for our country. In 2019, he attended the 31st Session of the IMO Assembly, where the Philippines was re-elected in the IMO Council under Category C for 2020-2021.
Prior to his assumption to the highest post as PCG Commandant, VADM Ursabia Jr was designated as Commander of Coast Guard Marine Environmental Protection Command (MEPCOM). He commanded four (4) Coast Guard Districts (CGD) namely CGD Central Visayas, CGD Palawan, CGD Southern Mindanao, and CGD Northern Luzon. He was also Commander of Coast Guard Ready Force, where notably, under his watch, all of the Coast Guard floating assets were 97% Ready-for-Sea status.
On top of his countless recognitions, he is a recipient of two Coast Guard Legion of Honor awards (Degree of Maginoo); nine Distinguished Service Medals; four Coast Guard Outstanding Achievement Medals; two Coast Guard Bronze Cross Medals; one Military Bronze Cross Medal; 15 Coast Guard Merit Medals; and seven Military Merit Medals, among others.
In 2013, the Office of the Civil Defense awarded him the “Bakas Parangal ng Kadakilaan” for PCG’s efforts during the onslaught of Tropical Storm “PABLO” in 2012 to include the search and rescue operations off Davao Oriental for the missing fishermen. Another civic recognition was directly given by Archbishop Romulo G. Valles, D.D. for his responsive efforts in transporting relief goods for the earthquake victims in Bohol.
As a recognized educator, VADM Ursabia Jr is known as the “Father” of the Coast Guard Officer’s Course (CGOC) and the Coast Guardsman’s Course (CGMC).
Vice Admiral George V Ursabia Jr challenged the men and women of the Coast Guard Aviation Force (CGAF) to ensure the efficient utilization of its newest asset – H145 twin engine helicopter with tail number CGH-1452 – in supporting the nationwide battle for public health and safety amid COVID-19 pandemic. Photo courtesy of PCG Facebook Page.
Moreover, in the recent fight against COVID-19, he was designated as Commander of Task Group Laban COVID-19 (Water Cluster) under the Joint Task Force COVID Shield of the PNP, AFP, and PCG. Applying the whole-of-nation approach in the fight against COVID-19, he reorganized and renamed the task groups as PCG Task Force Bayanihan Returning Overseas Filipinos and sustained the ongoing operations by ensuring people-first values as directed by President Duterte.
As PCG Commandant, his four major platforms are: (1) continued distribution of relief efforts and SAP benefits; (2) sustained spearheading and coordination of all Maritime Sector efforts; (3) improved Port State Control, Littoral and Coastwatch System, and Maritime Security Measures; and (4) continued performance of all PCG functions with focus on capability enhancement of personnel, recruitment of specialized people, quality training; upgrade of equipment to include a RADAR system, and acquisition of air and floating assets including ROROs for HADR.
VADM George Ursabia Jr is married to former Miss Agnes Chamos of La Trinidad, Benguet. Their union is blessed with two (2) children: Germaine Angela, a graduate of the College of Medicine at University of the Philippines-Manila and is now a licensed Physician taking her 4-yr OB-Gyne residency program at UP-PGH; and Gerard Andrew, who after receiving his BS Math degree at UP-Baguio in 2012, also received a BS degree in Computer Engineering at UP-Diliman, is now employed at M-TEC Japan in Nagasaki, Japan.
VADM GEORGE VILLAREAL URSABIA JR PCG is an officer and a gentleman, leader, manager, environmentalist, maritime rescuer, maritime law enforcer, maritime safety expert, security and intelligence specialist, mariner, educator, crisis manager, strategist, visionary leader, family man, firmly principled yet compassionate, and above all, a God-fearing man who offers his life in the service of the Filipino people. The Philippine Coast Guard is indeed blessed and fortunate to have him at the helm.