As Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Public Services and Auxiliary Rear Admiral of the Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary (PCGA) Executive Squadron, Senator Raffy Tulfo continues to push for the passage of his Senate Bill No. (SBN) 2116, or the “Revised Philippine Coast Guard Law”.
In his sponsorship speech in the Senate, Tulfo said that SBN 2116 aims to strengthen the manpower of the Philippine Coast Guard (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, Marine Environmental Protection, and Maritime Security Law Enforcement.
“Kung gaano sila kasipag gampanan ang kanilang trabaho, nakita ko rin ang maraming kakulangan upang maiangat ang estado ng mga tauhan at imahe ng institusyong ito.”
“Kung gaano sila kasipag gampanan ang kanilang trabaho, nakita ko rin ang maraming kakulangan upang maiangat ang estado ng mga tauhan at imahe ng institusyong ito,” the legislator said.
“This is the very reason why I am here today to sponsor the Revised Philippine Coast Guard Law. 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,” the lawmaker added.
“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.”
In addition, the senator emphasized that one of the primary objectives of the proposed 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 the Philippine National Police (PNP).
He also stated that once SBN 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.
Tulfo further noted that the passage of SBN 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.
Finally, he strongly urged his fellow senators to support the proposed measure to strengthen the structural organization of the PCG and to honor the courage, dedication, and sacrifice of every personnel and officer of the Philippine Coast Guard, especially as they continue to serve as frontliners in safeguarding the country’s territories in the West Philippine Sea.
“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,” Tulfo concluded.
