THE Senate on Tuesday passed on third and final reading a bill seeking to strengthen the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG).
Senate Bill (SB) 2116, or the Revised Philippine Coast Guard Law, sponsored by Sen. Raffy Tulfo, was passed with a vote of 19-0 during a plenary session.
It seeks to strengthen the PCG by expanding its maritime law enforcement powers, rationalizing its personnel system and enhancing the compensation, allowances and retirement benefits of its personnel.
In his sponsorship speech last May, Tulfo said SB 2116 aims to strengthen the manpower of the PCG by providing the institution with the capability to hire more personnel, enabling it to more effectively carry out its duties in maritime safety services, environmental protection and security law enforcement.
“While the PCG is the oldest coast guard in Southeast Asia at 125 years old, there remains critical gaps in their governing law that we aim to address through this landmark measure,” Tulfo said.
The senator emphasized that one of the primary objectives of the measure is to finally address the significant gap or disparity in salaries and benefits received by PCG personnel and officers compared to their counterparts in the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and Philippine National Police.
Tulfo said that once SB 2116 is enacted into law, it will expand the powers of the PCG in areas such as the removal of shipwrecks, enforcement of anti-terrorism efforts in Philippine waters, recommending assistance and support from the AFP when necessary, and most importantly, allowing the PCG to enter into international agreements.
He said the passage of SB 2116 is critical to provide the PCG with access to acquiring assets equipped with advanced technology, ensuring that the country keeps pace with current demands in maritime security and marine environmental protection.
“The men and women of the PCG embody the best of the Filipino spirit — undaunted by challenge, undeterred by danger and united in our purpose to serve the nation, and they deserve to have a stronger structural organization,” he said.
Meanwhile, Sen. Lito Lapid, one of the authors of the measure, extended his gratitude to his colleagues in the Senate for supporting the measure.
“We remain steadfast in our support for the Philippine Coast Guard, which tirelessly safeguards and defends our waters and sovereignty,” Lapid said in a statement.
“In times of crisis, we can always rely on our uniformed servicemen; thus, it is only fitting that we provide them with the necessary legislative support,” he added.
