Photo Courtesy: Senate
*Pushes stronger maritime security and better pay for personnel
- Sen. Christopher “Bong” Go expressed his support for the proposed Revised Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Law as Senate Bill No. 2116 was approved on third and final reading during the Senate plenary session on Tuesday, August 11.
Go, who co-authored the measure, underscored the vital role of the PCG in protecting the country’s maritime territory and supporting Filipino communities whose livelihoods depend on the sea.
“The Philippines is composed of over 7,100 islands, with a vast and complex maritime territory spanning 36,000 kilometers of coastline. For years, our coastal areas have been integral to the livelihoods of various communities, serving as transportation hubs for trade and commerce,” Go said.
According to Go, the existing Republic Act No. 9993, or the Philippine Coast Guard Law of 2009, has become outdated in addressing the evolving demands of maritime safety, security, law enforcement, environmental protection, and emergency response.
The proposed Revised Philippine Coast Guard Law seeks to strengthen the organizational structure of the PCG and provide clearer mechanisms for the agency to carry out its expanding responsibilities more effectively and efficiently.
Go likewise welcomed provisions that would improve the compensation of PCG personnel by adjusting their base pay to bring it on par with that of their counterparts in the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP).
“Importante po na mabigyan ng tamang kompensasyon ang ating uniformed personnel dahil sa kanilang sakripisyo para sa ating bayan. Noong panahon ni dating Pangulong Duterte, talagang inuna po namin na doblehin ang entry-level salary ng military and uniformed personnel bilang pagkilala sa kanilang serbisyo,” Go said.
He stressed that adequate compensation is an important component of recognizing the sacrifices of uniformed personnel who perform demanding duties, often under difficult and dangerous conditions.
“Dapat po nating alagaan ang mga nag-aalaga sa ating bayan. Kung hinihingi natin ang kanilang buong dedikasyon sa serbisyo, nararapat lamang na ibigay din natin ang suporta, benepisyo, at proteksyong karapat-dapat sa kanila,” he added.
Go also reiterated his call for the passage of a separate measure, SBN 682, or the proposed PCG Modernization Law, which he filed to modernize the equipment, facilities, capabilities, and resources of the PCG.
“Malaki ang responsibilidad ng ating Coast Guard dahil napakalawak ng ating maritime territory. Kailangan natin silang bigyan ng sapat na kapangyarihan, kagamitan, resources, at suporta upang magampanan nila nang maayos ang kanilang tungkulin,” Go stressed.
Go said the passage of the Revised Philippine Coast Guard Law on third reading represents an important step toward strengthening the country’s maritime governance and protecting both Filipino communities and the nation’s maritime interests.
“Ang ating mga Coast Guard personnel ay frontliners din sa pangangalaga ng ating mga kababayan sa dagat. Patuloy nating susuportahan ang mga hakbang na magpapalakas sa kanilang kakayahan at magbibigay sa kanila ng mas maayos na kondisyon para sa kanilang serbisyo,” Go concluded.
