MANILA (UPDATE) — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Wednesday assured the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) that his administration would back “efforts and initiatives to modernize” the maritime agency to ensure the “better delivery of service to the nation.”

“As you fulfill your duty, know very well that you will never sail as a lone body in these unsettling waters,” Marcos said in his keynote speech during the PCG’s 121st anniversary.

“As your leader, I assure you that this administration will always be behind you, supportive of your efforts and initiatives to modernize the PCG which will redound to better delivery of service to the nation,” he added.

Marcos underscored the PCG’s role in “the government’s law enforcement initiatives” as it serves in “the frontline in the defense of our maritime territory, in defense of our economic zones, in defense of our base lines.”

“Although this may not have been originally part of the mission of the PCG you have nonetheless been performing that mission with honor, with skill, with dedication… and the rest of the government counts on you to continue that good work," he said.

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The President urged the PCG to continue its “dedication and persistence… and move full throttle towards the realization of your vision to be a world-class guardian of the sea.”

“With the brave men and women of the PCG guarding our shores, I am confident that we will be able to steer our nation in a direction towards safer shores… to a better, brighter and more prosperous future,” he said.

The PCG’s proposed P21.26-billion budget for 2023 was reduced by some P300 million, according to PCG acting commander Commodore Armand Balilo.

The coast guard is coordinating with the Department of Transportation to check other potential sources of funds that could be used for fuel and other expenses, he told ABS-CBN News.

Last May, the PCG deployed 5 ships and air assets to install “sovereign markers” or buoys on 4 areas in the Kalayaan Island Group, said Coast Guard commandant Admiral Artemio Abu.

The BRP Teresa Magbanua was also deployed to support the re-supply mission for Philippines troops on Ayungin Shoal, he noted.

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“The President has guaranteed that not a square inch of Philippine territory will be abandoned to another nation,” Abu said.

“Rest assured that the Philippine Coast Guard is committed to the country's position in ensuring territorial integrity,” he added.

Abu said the PCG is “also seriously committed to promoting maritime safety.”

“In 2021, the Coast Guard rescued more than 300 individuals from vessel collisions and fire onboard incidents,” said Abu.

“Our brave rescuers also risked their lives to assist 5,000 individuals during various search and rescue operations at sea and on land."

The coast guard expects to have a total of 24,500 personnel by December, when newly commissioned officers and enlisted personnel are set to complete their training.

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