Senate hikes PCG budget by P1.3B to fund operations in WPS

The Senate has increased the budget of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) by P1.3 billion to ensure continuous operations in the West Philippine Sea.

This was disclosed by Senate Minority Leader Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III when he asked the reasons behind the increase during the Senate plenary deliberations of the Department of Transportation’s proposed budget for 2024.

According to Senator Grace Poe, who defended the budget of the DOTr — the mother agency of the PCG, the increase was intended to fund the P1.7 billion annual fuel cost and the maintenance of the Coast Guard ships.

“Just to give you the summary of why we increased the budget, they spend about...P1.7 billion for fuel alone. ‘Yun na ‘yung ginagasta natin...a year. Not to mention, when we had a meeting with the Coast Guard, we found out that a lot of their ships are inoperable because they are not being maintained. Wala silang pera for maintenance,” Poe said.

According to Poe, the PCG ships should be maintained every month and dry dock at least twice in five years.

“So actually, the Senate gave the most increase in their budget given the scenario right now in the West Philippine Sea. Sila ‘yung ating first line of defense don eh. Kung wala namang gasolina para patakbuhin 'yung mga barko nila, walang mangyayari, hindi tayo makaka-inspect,” she said.

Pimentel agreed with the recommendation to increase the PCG’s budget as he noted that the agency is also tasked to give clearance to all passenger ships every day.

“So ganon nga kayo ka-critical sa kada port natin. Kada coastal area natin, nand’yan si Coast Guard. All the way to the West Philippine Sea and then I think even in the Philippine rise, if I’m not mistaken,” Pimentel said.

“So I agree with the focus on the PCG and I think they have earned the trust that we are placing on them with their track record,” he went on.

The PCG, in total, has proposed a P24.019-billion budget under the 2024 National Expenditure Program (NEP), higher than its P21.920 billion budget under the 2023 General Appropriation Act (GAA). — BAP, GMA Integrated News