(PCG)

The House of Representatives unanimously approved on third and final reading the measure seeking to strengthen and modernize the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) in the pursuit to protect the country’s rights and sovereignty.

During the plenary session on Thursday, Sept. 19, House Bill (HB) No. 10841 was approved through nominal voting, with 183 lawmakers in the affirmative.

There were zero votes in the negative, and zero abstentions.

The bill aims to repeal Republic Act (RA) No. 9993, or the Philippine Coast Guard Law of 2009.

Under HB No. 10841, policy and organizational reforms are proposed to make the PCG more responsive in its mandates on maritime safety, security, and environmental protection.

The bill is set to clearly define the PCG’s organizational structure pertaining to services, commands, and districts. This covers the personnel complement of the PCG, including the ranks and grades of personnel, and the distribution of ranks of officers and tenure in rank and position for both officers and enlisted personnel.

It also aims to reinforce the PCG’s patrolling efforts by increasing the minimum manning level from the current one uniformed personnel per kilometer of coastline to three.

Furthermore, HB No. 10841 will establish the PCG Modernization Trust Fund, which shall be exclusively used for modernization initiatives.

It likewise provides that PCG personnel “shall receive the same base pay, hazard pay, and other benefits and allowances” corresponding to the salary grades and ranks in the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).