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On its 121st anniversary, Marcos backs Philippine Coast Guard modernization

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Katrina Domingo, ABS-CBN News

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img alt="President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. gives his keynote speech during the Philippine Coast Guard" s="" anniversary="" on="" Oct.="" Katrina="" ABS-CBN="" src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2022/news/10/19/marcos-10192022.jpg"/><figcaption>President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. gives his keynote speech during the Philippine Coast Guard&#x27;s 121st anniversary on Oct. 19, 2022.<em> Katrina Domingo, ABS-CBN News</em></figcaption></figure></div><p>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.”</p><p>“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.</p><p>“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.</p><p>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.”</p><p>“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,&quot; he said. </p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/09/30/22/ph-engaging-with-like-minded-countries-to-defend-wps-defense-chief">PH engaging with &#x27;like-minded&#x27; countries to defend WPS, says defense chief</a></li>	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/08/30/22/ph-us-coast-guards-to-hold-joint-search-rescue-drill">PH, US coast guards to hold joint search and rescue exercise</a></li></ul><p>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.”</p><p>“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.</p><p>The PCG’s proposed P21.26-billion budget for 2023 was reduced by some P300 million, according to PCG acting commander Commodore Armand Balilo.</p><p>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.</p><p>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.</p><p>The BRP Teresa Magbanua was also deployed to support the re-supply mission for Philippines troops on Ayungin Shoal, he noted. </p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/10/06/22/more-pinoy-fishers-in-bajo-de-masinloc-ph-coast-guard">More Filipino fishers in Bajo de Masinloc despite Chinese presence: coast guard</a></li></ul><p>“The President has guaranteed that not a square inch of Philippine territory will be abandoned to another nation,” Abu said.</p><p>“Rest assured that the Philippine Coast Guard is committed to the country&#x27;s position in ensuring territorial integrity,” he added.</p><p>Abu said the PCG is “also seriously committed to promoting maritime safety.”</p><p>“In 2021, the Coast Guard rescued more than 300 individuals from vessel collisions and fire onboard incidents,” said Abu.</p><p>“Our brave rescuers also risked their lives to assist 5,000 individuals during various search and rescue operations at sea and on land.&quot;</p><p>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.</p><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO: </strong></div><figure class="op-interactive"><iframe height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/_Y847f6qsj0?enablejsapi=1" width="560"></iframe></figure><div class="iwantbar">Watch more News on <a href="https://www.iwanttfc.com/#!/browse/Genres/News/tag_id_genres/id_news" target="_blank">iWantTFC</a></div><div class="iwantbar"> </div>

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. assured the Philippine Coast Guard that his administration would back efforts and initiatives to modernize the agency.

On its 121st anniversary, Marcos backs Philippine Coast Guard modernization

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On its 121st anniversary, Marcos backs Philippine Coast Guard modernization

Katrina Domingo,

ABS-CBN News

Published October 19, 2022 12:15 PM PHT

|

Updated October 19, 2022 03:59 PM PHT

Read More:

Philippine Coast Guard

Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

PCG

Philippine Coast Guard

Bongbong Marcos

maritime security

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