
MULING iginiit ni House Deputy Majority Leader, ACT-CIS partylist Rep. Erwin Tulfo na ang panukalang batas na Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) modernization ay isang “mahalagang hakbang” sa gitna ng mga banta sa mga teritoryong pandagat ng bansa, partikular sa West Philippine Sea (WPS).
Nitong Miyerkules, inaprubahan na ng House of Representatives sa ikalawang pagbasa ang House Bill 10841 na naglalayong pagbutihin ang organizational at operational na framwwork ng PCG upang ito ay maging mas tumutugon sa mga isyu ng seguridad pandagat.
Nilalayon ng panukalang batas na bigyan ang PCG ng taunang pondo na P5 bilyon, habang pinahihintulutan din itong tumanggap ng mga pautang at tulong mula sa lokal o dayuhang pinagmumulan upang palakasin ang mga pagsisikap sa modernisasyon.
“At a time when our nation faces increasing challenges in safeguarding our maritime territory, this bill ensures that the PCG is equipped with the tools and resources to fulfill its mandate effectively,” sabi ni Tulfo, isa sa mga may-akda ng panukalang batas, sa kanyang sponsorship speech noong Miyerkules.
“The importance of maritime security cannot be overstated. Everyone knows full well how much our fisherfolk and PCG personnel have suffered over the past few months because of the harassment and aggressive maneuvers of the Chinese Coast Guard in our very waters,” dagdag pa ni Tulfo.
Bukod sa kanyang mga kasamahan sa ACT-CIS partylist na sina Reps. Edvic Yap at Jocelyn Tulfo, kabilang din sa mga tagapagtaguyod ng HB 10841 sina Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez, Majority Leader Manuel Jose “Mannix” M. Dalipe, Senior Deputy Majority Leader Ferdinand Alexander A. Marcos, Tingog partylist Reps. Yedda Marie K. Romualdez at Jude A. Acidre; Reps. Johnny Ty Pimentel, Khymer Adan T. Olaso, Arnie B. Fuentebella, Albert S. Garcia, Michael L. Romero, Rufus B. Rodriguez, Eric M. Martinez, Leody “Odie” F. Tarriela, Eduardo “Bro. Eddie” C. Villanueva, at Ralph Wendel P. Tulfo.
“Firm in our stance against these unlawful acts but from the perspective of diplomacy and international support, we remained committed to enhancing instead our defense and surveillance capabilities and strengthening the coordination between government agencies and international partners. This bill is a culmination of such efforts,” ani Tulfo.
“By empowering the PCG, this legislation reinforces our commitment to assert our sovereignty and protect our maritime waters, ensuring the safety of our fishermen and coastal communities,” dagdag pa niya.
Ipinaliwanag din ni Tulfo na sa pamamagitan ng mga modernisadong kagamitan, pinahusay na pagsasanay ng mga tauhan, at pinabuting mekanismo ng pagpopondo, mas magiging handa ang PCG na tumugon nang mabilis at tiyak sa mga umuusbong na banta.
“In our ongoing fight to assert our sovereignty in the West Philippine Sea, House Bill No. 10841 is both timely and necessary. It strengthens the PCG’s role as the first line of defense in maritime security while positioning the Philippines as a responsible maritime nation,” pagtatapos ni Tulfo.