MANILA — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has committed to bolstering the operational readiness and capabilities of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) as the nation confronts increasingly intricate maritime security demands.
Highlighting the vital role of capable personnel and sound leadership, the Chief Executive emphasized the necessity of a persistent commitment to serving the Filipino public.
Speaking at the Eva Macapagal Super Terminal in Manila during Friday’s celebration of the PCG’s 125th founding anniversary, the President noted that the administration is focused on preparing the service for future hurdles while honoring its extensive track record of safeguarding lives across the islands.
“And so as we mark 125 years of the Philippine Coast Guard, let us look to the horizon with confidence and a renewed commitment to strengthening its capabilities and readiness to respond to increasingly complex maritime challenges,” he said on Friday, October 16.
“With capable personnel, sound leadership, and unwavering dedication to the Filipino people, I am confident that we can fulfill this mission,” he added.
During the event, Marcos highlighted the agency’s operational milestones over the past year. These included conducting upwards of one million pre-departure vessel inspections across domestic ports to guarantee passenger safety, alongside emergency response operations that rescued or pre-evacuated nearly 95,000 individuals and assisted close to 138,000 people during crises.
Notable missions highlighted included search-and-rescue operations following the sinking of the MV Trisha Kerstin 3 in Basilan, as well as logistical support that brought family food packs and water desalination units from Manila to Catanduanes following Typhoon Uwan.
According to Marcos, these efforts showcase the broad scope of duties carried out by the Coast Guard in an archipelagic nation.
International Cooperation and Environmental Stewardship
Addressing foreign relations, the President stressed the importance of collaborating with global allies to secure the country’s maritime domains while ensuring that cooperative initiatives remain firmly aligned with national sovereignty.
“We can work with the world while remaining firmly guided by our national interest and without losing sight of our duty to the Filipino people,” he stated, adding that local waters should remain spaces of opportunity rather than uncertainty.
Beyond safety and defense, Marcos acknowledged the PCG’s active role in marine environmental preservation, citing ongoing coastal cleanups and tree-planting programs meant to protect natural resources.
Honors and Recognition
Concluding his address, the President expressed gratitude to the rank-and-file personnel deployed in stations, ports, vessels, and aircraft, as well as PCG Auxiliary members—including First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos—for their volunteer work.
He also extended congratulations to various districts, civilian employees, and teams honored with the Ships and Aircraft of the Year awards.
“May your example inspire others, especially the younger members of the service, to take pride in their work and understand that every assignment, however ordinary it may seem, carries a responsibility to the Filipino people,” Marcos remarked.