By Liza Soriano
MANILA — Senate President Chiz Escudero said fixing the term of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) chief to three years will provide stability to the service.
Escudero explained that House Bill No. 10841 aligns with the country’s security interests by ensuring continuity in the position and leadership of the PCG chief.
“Given the situation in the West Philippine Sea, it is in our best interest to maintain some level of continuity in the leadership of the PCG, the agency tasked with patrolling our territorial waters and securing our shores,” Escudero said after the Senate approved the bill on Monday (January 20, 2025).
He further clarified that this measure was designed to give current Commandant Admiral Ronnie Galvan the opportunity to complete his plans and programs for the agency.
Appointed in October 2023, Admiral Galvan would serve less than 16 months as PCG Commandant before retiring on February 21, 2025, upon reaching the mandatory retirement age of 56.
“This would allow Admiral Galvan to continue leading the valiant men and women of the PCG, who have faced great adversity in the post-war era and have effectively upheld our sovereignty in our territorial waters,” Escudero added.
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