President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. assured the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) that the government will always support them in their trials and missions to protect the nation, the Filipinos, their properties and rights.

“Be assured you are never alone in carrying the weight of this mission,” President Marcos said in his speech during the 123rd founding anniversary of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) in Port Area, Manila.

The President made the remark in recognition of the growing challenges the maritime industry faces amid the emerging climate change, rising sea levels, and geopolitical tensions.

“As we look ahead, we must recognize that the challenges you face are growing more complex. Climate change, rising sea levels, and geopolitical tensions mean that the stakes have never been higher,” the President said.

Monitoring the country’s Exclusive Economic Zone and patrolling a coastline spanning over 37 million kilometers is not an easy job for the PCG, the President acknowledged.

Carrying it out with the added weight of isolation, dangers of unpredictable seas, and the constant pressure to protect resources is more than just a job but a “responsibility that speaks to the core of what it means to serve this country,” he said.

Honoring the PCG’s dedication and tireless service, the President further reasserted continued support for the Coast Guard and its mandate of ensuring the country’s maritime safety and security.

“This Administration reaffirms its support to efforts that will improve your fleet and our air assets as well, to maritime domain awareness, weapons capability, and necessary infrastructure development. This will boost your capacity to respond to any operations,” President Marcos said. | PND