Philippine Coast Guard logo over a photo of PCG members on a rubber boat. INQUIRER FILES
MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said Saturday that it expects its personnel to grow by 30,000 before the year ends.
PCG spokesperson Commodore Jay Tarriela lauded President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s administration for augmenting the agency’s personnel, which he said “significantly enhanced its capability and complemented the initiatives carried out by previous administrations.”
“In the first year of the presidency of President Bongbong Marcos, he added an additional 4,000; that’s why we now have 26,000,” Tarriela said in a statement.
“Before the year ends this year, we’re also expected to have an additional 4,000, which will make the Philippine Coast Guard 30,000 strong,” he added.
Aside from this, Tarriela also revealed the need for the Philippine Coast Guard Modernization Law, which will enable the agency to program its asset acquisition, such as offshore patrol vessels, additional aircraft, and Maritime Domain Awareness in coastal areas nationwide.
He added PCG’s need for a coast guard response base and berthing spaces since the agency’s vessels depend on the Philippine Port Authority’s berthing area.
Meanwhile, Tarriela told fisherfolk operating in contested waters “to report any untoward incident” to the agency, assuring them that the PCG is always ready to respond and support their fishing activity.
“Despite the dangers in the West Philippine Sea, the PCG will continue to do its mandate and comply with the President’s directive,” he said.