Senate bill filed to reform, strengthen PH coast guard

The PCG, initially established as a major unit of the Philippine Army in 1967, transitioned to civilian administration, moving from the Office of the President to the Department of Transportation in 1998. (File photo: PCG via PNA)

MANILA – Senator Sherwin Gatchalian has filed a bill seeking to reform and reorganize the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) to build its capacities amid the continuing aggression of Chinese vessels in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

Gatchalian said he filed Senate Bill (SB) 2650, seeking to repeal Republic Act (RA) 9993 or the Philippine Coast Guard Law of 2009 on May 2.

“This measure seeks to strengthen PCG’s capability by enhancing its organizational structure and enabling it to attract qualified personnel,” Gatchalian said in a news release on Wednesday.

He said the bill also aims to better equip the coast guard to fulfill its mandate, “considering the importance of having a well-mannered and responsive institution to meet regional and international challenges related to the maritime jurisdiction of the Philippines.”

The PCG, initially established as a major unit of the Philippine Army in 1967, transitioned to civilian administration, moving from the Office of the President to the Department of Transportation in 1998.

The proposed measure specifically seeks to repeal RA 9993 and replace it with the Revised Philippine Coast Guard Law.

Gatchalian noted that gaps in organizational structure, administration, and ensuring personnel welfare have negatively impacted PCG operations.

“For one, RA 9993 is silent on the benefits of both uniformed and non-uniformed personnel of PCG given the transfer from the Philippine Navy to the Department of Transportation,” he said.

Gatchalian had earlier filed a separate bill, SB 2516, seeking to enhance the PCG’s assets and facilities and to bolster its capabilities and to develop a more mobile and visible coast guard force that will establish its vision to become a world-class guardian of the sea by 2025.

Modernization plan

At the House of Representatives, Speaker Martin Romualdez asked the PCG to submit a comprehensive strategic modernization plan that outlines the necessary steps and resources required to enhance its capabilities, particularly for patrolling and safeguarding the WPS.

Romualdez, himself a commodore of PCG Auxiliary, said the modernization plan will be used as a major basis for allocation of budget for PCG.

“Our national security and sovereignty are paramount,” Romualdez in a statement on Thursday.

“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.

He said the 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.

“The House of Representatives is committed to backing the Philippine Coast Guard 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 said.

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.