Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla has backed proposals to reassign the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and the Bureau of Immigration (BI) to the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) while transferring the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) to the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor).
Speaking at a Senate Finance subcommittee hearing regarding the DILG’s proposed ₱332.5-billion budget for 2027, Remulla argued that the agency reshuffle would optimize law enforcement operations, speed up responses against foreign fugitives, and unify the country’s penal system.
The discussion arose after Senator Erwin Tulfo suggested upgrading the Philippine National Police (PNP) Maritime Group’s fleet to combat illegal fishing in areas like Palawan.
Remulla responded that shifting the PCG from the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to the DILG would streamline maritime operations.
“Our strategy is the rationalization of the Philippine Coast Guard and the maritime,” Remulla said. “If the Coast Guard is under the DILG because they are in charge of law enforcement in the seas, then we can abrogate the entire maritime command of the PNP and have the Coast Guard be in charge of enforcing the law in the seas.”
Addressing the proposed transfer of the BI from the Department of Justice (DOJ), Remulla noted that complex multi-agency coordination currently slows down enforcement actions against foreign criminals.
“Our response time for fugitives or for foreigners is more difficult. So those are the rationalizations we propose,” he explained.
To further consolidate public safety operations, Remulla recommended moving the BJMP from the DILG to BuCor to eliminate redundant penal administrations.
“We would also like to suggest that the BJMP be transferred to the Bureau of Corrections so that we will only have one correctional institution instead of two,” Remulla said.
Tulfo noted that he has already authored legislation to merge the BJMP into BuCor. When Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson inquired whether President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. had reviewed the proposed agency transfers, Remulla confirmed the Chief Executive’s endorsement.
“Yes, sir. And he has expressed support,” Remulla affirmed.
Lacson observed that several of the structural realignments could be enacted swiftly via executive action under the Administrative Code rather than legislative bills.
“I believe it will only take an EO under the Administrative Code. Hindi kailangan ng legislation,” Lacson noted.
Remulla stated that the DILG has submitted the completed proposal for presidential approval.
“Hopefully, he said he will act on it already, so hopefully it will be done soon,” Remulla added.