Senate passes revised Coast Guard law to bolster maritime defense in West Philippine Sea

MANILA — The Senate approved on third and final reading Tuesday a bill seeking to overhaul the Philippine Coast Guard’s (PCG) legal framework, strengthening its operational capacity to address emerging maritime security challenges—particularly in the West Philippine Sea.

Senate Bill No. 2116, sponsored by Sen. Raffy Tulfo, repeals Republic Act No. 9993 (the Philippine Coast Guard Law of 2009) to resolve long-standing organizational, manpower, and capability bottlenecks.

Tulfo, who chairs the Senate Committee on Public Services, highlighted the growing dangers faced by PCG personnel asserting the nation's sovereignty, citing recurring incidents of aggressive harassment and water cannon attacks.

“Our Philippine Coast Guard continues to defend our sovereignty, assert our rights, and protect our territorial waters while exercising strategic restraint to protect lives, uphold international law, and strengthen the country’s moral and legal position,” Tulfo said.

Key reforms under the proposed measure include:

• Restructuring Core Commands: Reorganizing the agency into three functional pillars: Maritime Safety Services, Marine Environmental Protection, and Maritime Security Law Enforcement.

• Expanding Capability and Authority: Authorizing the PCG to supervise wreck removals, combat maritime terrorism, directly negotiate international agreements for modern equipment, and recommend Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) support during emergencies.

• Personnel & Cadre Expansion: Setting minimum manpower benchmarks to adequately guard the country’s 36,000-kilometer coastline, while establishing the Philippine Coast Guard Academy.

• Institutional Accountability: Creating a dedicated Coast Guard Internal Affairs Service to enforce discipline and transparency.

• Pay Parity: Aligning base salaries of senior PCG officers—including Admirals and Vice Admirals—with their counterparts in the AFP and the Philippine National Police (PNP).

“The men and women of the PCG embody the best of the Filipino spirit—undaunted by challenge, undeterred by danger, and united in purpose,” Tulfo added. “They fully deserve a stronger structural organization.”

-Paraluman News