Manila – The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) expressed gratitude on Tuesday for the approval of a PHP1.3 billion budget increase for Fiscal Year 2024, elevating its total budget to PHP27 billion. PCG spokesperson Rear Admiral Armando Balilo stated that this additional funding would significantly enhance the Coast Guard's operations in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), southern Philippines, and the Benham Rise in the eastern seaboard.
According to Philippines News Agency, Balilo acknowledged the Senate's support in empowering the PCG to fulfill its mandates and advance its modernization projects. He emphasized that the increased budget would bolster the PCG's capability development and daily operations. The PCG spokesperson also expressed gratitude to the Filipino people for their trust and assured that the allocated funds would be managed in compliance with existing auditing rules and regulations.
The budget increase was announced during the Department of Transportation's plenary debate for its fiscal year 2024 budget, led by Senator Grace Poe. Poe highlighted the necessity of the budget increase due to the situation in the WPS. Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri concluded the plenary debate by affirming the Senate's full support and confidence in the PCG's capability to protect the nation's territory and sovereign rights.