A flag-raising activity is conducted by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) onboard BRP Teresa Magbanua in the vicinity of Escoda (Sabina Shoal) in the West Philippine Sea on June 12, 2024 to commemorate the 126th Philippine Independence Day. (Photo by PCG)

Ranking congressmen have reiterated their guarantee of ample funding for the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) in the effort to defend the country's territory and exclusive economic zone (EEZ). 

Senior Deputy Speaker Pampanga 3rd district Rep. Aurelio “Dong” Gonzales Jr. and Majority Leader Zamboanga City 2nd district Rep. Manuel Jose “Mannix” Dalipe gave this reassurance ahead of the start of the budget deliberations in the House of Representatives next week. 

“The policy is always being set by the President [Marcos] and we take guidance from his SONA (State of the Nation Address), and everyone in the House (of Representatives) knows how the President gives importance on defending our national territory and integrity,” Dalipe said. 

“I think each member of the majority bloc would be in full support of the President in giving more support to the [PCG] and all other agencies that would help protect…especially our fisherfolks in the West Philippine Sea (WPS),” he said. 

The Speaker Martin Romualdez-led House received last Monday, July 29 the 2025 National Expenditure Program (NEP) worth P6.352 trillion from the Department of Budget and Management (DBM). 

This was a week after President Marcos' SONA wherein he underscored the country's ownership of the WPS. 

Under the 2025 NEP or the precursor to the national budget, the PCG has been allocated P31.3 billion. 

This amount could still be increased by the solons in the course of the budget hearings.

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https://mb.com.ph/2024/4/29/khonghun-explains-why-summoning-duterte-cabinet-members-to-gentleman-s-agreement-probe-is-the-right-move

In general, the defense sector is seeking P419.3 billion next year. This is a 50.8 percent bump from its allocation in the 2024 national budget. 

Gonzales echoed Dalipe's statements and noted that Romualdez have been leading calls to increase the funding for the PCG, including the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR). 

“In addition ano, we were in Masinloc I think two months ago, one of our topics and discussions is to increase the budget of the Philippine Coast Guard and the BFAR as far as the fisherfolks are concerned,” Gonzales said, 

“Palagay ko po (I think), on our budget deliberation, we will tackle that issue and I understand [that Zambales 1st district] Congressman [Jay] Khonghun was the one who asked that and the issue of his kababayan (constituents) in Zambales and of course, the WPS,” he added.