By Liezelle Soriano

MANILA — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. reassured the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) of the government’s unwavering support in their mission to protect the country.

Marcos acknowledged the increasing challenges in the maritime sector due to “emerging climate change, rising sea levels, and geopolitical tensions.”

“Be assured that you are never alone in carrying the weight of this mission,” the President said.

“As we look ahead, we must recognize that the challenges you face are becoming more complex. Climate change, rising sea levels, and geopolitical tensions mean the stakes have never been higher,” he added.

The President also acknowledged the difficulty of monitoring the country’s Exclusive Economic Zone and patrolling a coastline spanning over 37 million kilometers.

Marcos reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to enhancing the PCG’s assets, maritime domain awareness, weapons capabilities, and necessary infrastructure.

“These efforts will boost your capacity to respond to any operations,” he emphasized.

ia/mnm