Marcos supports PCG’s move to bolster capabilities amid WPS tension

The government will continue to invest in new vessels, aircraft, command posts, and communication systems, as well as in improving the training, facilities, and logistics for Philippine Coast Guard personnel, according to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. during the celebration of the PCG’s 124th founding anniversary at its headquarters in Port Area, Manila on Oct. 23, 2025. PHOTO FROM PCO.

MANILA, Philippines — The Marcos administration will support the move of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) to procure new ships and equipment as part of the government’s commitment to strengthen the agency’s capabilities amid the escalating tensions in the West Philippine Sea.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. made the commitment on Thursday during the celebration of the 124th founding anniversary of the PCG, which he said had proven its dedication and courage in protecting the Filipino people.

“We will keep investing in new vessels, in aircraft, command posts, [and] communication systems. We will improve training, facilities, and logistics to provide every PCG personnel a sense of dignity in fulfilling their roles,” he said in his speech at the PCG headquarters in Port Area, Manila.

READ: Marcos promises new boats, aircraft, communication systems to PCG

The president also announced plans to construct new facilities for the PCG, such as the PCG General Hospital, the Maritime Law Enforcement Training Center in Misibis, and the First Responder and Nursing Service Facility, “to ensure that your welfare, whether at sea or on land, remains a priority.”

‘Solid’ support

“In these times when our seas face greater challenges, you remain steadfast, proving that courage knows no tides and that service knows no bounds. You stand as guardians of safety and of stability,” President Marcos said.

“And in return, I assure you that this government is solidly behind you,” he added.

Mr. Marcos also hailed the PCG for safeguarding the safety, dignity, and livelihood of the Filipino fisherfolk in the West Philippine Sea in spite of the continued and worsening harassment of Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) and Chinese maritime militia vessels.

“I know it is not easy for our fishermen to make a living while facing uncertainty each time they set out to sea,” the President said.

“And yet, when they see you bearing the flag on the waters, they feel hope — hope that the Filipino spirit will never yield, and that they will always remain in the hearts and minds of every Filipino and our uniformed services,” he added.

The House of Representatives’ version of the General Appropriations Bill approved a P35.87 billion budget for the PCG in 2026, slightly higher than the P35.4 billion under the National Expenditure Program submitted by the executive department.

P18-billion wish list

However, the PCG was requesting the Senate to include P18.45 billion worth of proposals to be included on its 2026 budget.

Among the top on the PCG’s wish list was a P2.76-billion item to increase the subsistence allowance of its personnel from P150 a day to P350 a day, to make it on par with the rate of other uniformed personnel.

It was also asking for an additional P7 billion to fund the acquisition of more floating assets, composed of 60-meter multi-role response vessels (P2.5 billion); 20 units of high-speed response boats (P838.67 million); 26 units of rigid hull inflatable boats (P480.13 million).

PCG also wanted to procure 381 units of outboard motor (P225.87 million), 24 units of rubber boats, and 569 units of aluminum boats (P2.85 billion).

“If there is one thing the Congress can provide the Philippine Coast Guard, that would be more vessels to make sure that the coast guard is there to ensure that Filipino fisherfolk will not be harassed,” PCG spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea Commodore Jay Tarriela said in August.

READ: Tarriela to Congress: More PCG patrol vessels needed for West PH Sea

According to Tarriela, they received many testimonies from fisherfolk from Zambales, Pangasinan, Mindoro, and Palawan, saying that the Chinese Coast Guard “hesitates” to harass and bully them when PCG vessels, among other local authorities, are present where they fish.

The PCG has a combined maritime and air assets of about 600 but mostly composed of smaller vessels.

Its fleet has only 30 major ships, which are capable of patrolling the country’s waters, top-billed by the two 97-meter Teresa Magbanua class patrol vessels (BRP Teresa Magbanua and BRP Melchora Aquino) made in Japan, and the 83-meter Gabriela Silang-class (BRP Gabriela Silang) built in France.

In May, the Department of Transportation awarded a P25.4-billion contract to French shipbuilder Ocea — which also built BRP Gabriela Silang — for the procurement of 40 fast patrol boats to expand the PCG’s fleet.

The country last year also took a P23.85-billion loan from Japan for the acquisition of five more Teresa Magbanua-class vessels, with the first delivery expected in late 2027.

The PCG only has seven planes and two helicopters, but only for search and rescue operations. Its 32 unmanned aerial vehicles were mostly donated by key defense allies such as Australia and Germany. /mr