The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) received higher budget allocations since the assumption to office of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., enabling the agency to carry out its missions more effectively.
“Simula noong dumating ang administrasyon ni Pangulong ‘Bongbong’ Marcos ay nabigyan po ng mas mataas na budget ang Philippine Coast Guard,” ,” PCG Commander Jay Tarriela said in a news forum in Quezon City on Saturday.
“This is the reason why we were able to expand [to] as many as 30,000 personnel right now,” adding that PCG strength used to be only 3,000 men and women.
“This is the reason why the Coast Guard can now expect more Coast Guard vessels from France and Japan,” he added.
Tariella said the PCG is fully supported by the administration of President Marcos.
Under the Marcos administration, the Senate and the House of Representatives have been supportive of increasing the PCG’s budget to boost its capability, Tariella said, noting the budget increases for PCG in 2022, 2023, 2024 and for the upcoming appropriations.
Meanwhile, the PCG reported the PCG will be getting assistance from the French government for the construction of 40 35-meter vessels next year.
Japan will also be building more vessels for the PCG, Tariella said.
Further, PCG is asking help from lawmakers to construct its national homebase and its own port facility.
“Ito ay isang adhikain ni (PCG chief) Admiral (Ronnie Gil Latorilla) Gavan to reach out to our lawmakers na masuportahan na magkaroon ng isang disente at malaking national headquarters ang Philippine Coast Guard,” he said. | PND