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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider House shows seriousness in bid to upgrade coast guard

House shows seriousness in bid to upgrade coast guard

Published May 16, 2024 02:48 am

At A Glance

  • This early, Speaker Martin Romualdez has asked the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) to submit to the House its comprehensive strategic modernization plan, which will be used as basis for the allocation of funds in annual budget deliberation of Congress. 
  • The chamber's deliberations on the proposed 2025 national budget won't begin until around August. 

20240429_163245-01.jpegHouse Speaker Martin Romualdez (Ellson Quismorio/ MANILA BULLETIN)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



The House of Representatives is serious in its pledge to help strengthen the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) through modernization. 

This early, Speaker Martin Romualdez has asked the PCG to submit to the House its comprehensive strategic modernization plan, which will be used as basis for the allocation of funds in annual budget deliberation of Congress. 

The House gets first dibs on the budget since it possesses the power of the purse. The chamber's deliberations on the proposed 2025 national budget won't begin until around August. 

Romualdez, a commodore of PCG auxiliary, said the plan must outline the necessary steps and resources required to enhance the coast guard’s capabilities, particularly for patrolling and safeguarding the Philippine territories in the contested areas of the West Philippine Sea (WPS). 

Given the strategic importance of the WPS and the ongoing territorial disputes, the Speaker emphasized the urgent need for Congress to understand and support the enhancement of the PCG's operational capacities. 

"Our national security and sovereignty are paramount," said Romualdez, Leyte's 1st district representative. 

"By ensuring that our Coast Guard is well-equipped and well-funded, we can better protect our territorial integrity against external threats and assert our sovereign rights in these contested waters," he added. 

The House Leader noted that the requested plan should detail the current state of the PCG’s assets, projected needs for upgrades in vessels and equipment, training programs for personnel, and initiatives for regional cooperation and maritime law enforcement. 

It will serve as a basis for potential legislative actions aimed at supporting and funding these crucial enhancements, he said. 

"The House of Representatives is committed to backing the [PCG] in its vital role. It’s not just about responding to immediate threats but also about maintaining a presence that underscores our commitment to national and regional security," Romualdez pointed out. 

This initiative, he said, is a part of the broader agenda of the Marcos administration to bolster national defense and regional stability, reflecting the legislative commitment to enhancing the Philippines' defensive posture in the face of evolving maritime challenges.

Related Tags

Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Martin Romualdez West Philippine Sea
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