A higher 2023 budget will strengthen the Philippine Coast Guard's capability in promoting maritime safety and security, according to the Department of Budget and Management.

A total of P21.26 billion is allocated to the PCG under the proposed 2023 national budget from P19.31 billion this year, DBM Secretary Amenah Pangandaman said during the opening ceremony for the National Marine Pollution Exercise Manila 2022 held at the PCG Headquarters on Wednesday.

"We at the Department of Budget and Management would like to express our full support to the Philippine Coast Guard and the main objective of today's event
— environmental preservation," Pangandaman said in her speech.

"We believe that your work in marine environmental protection has valuable contributions to the achievement of a sustainable economy," she added.

The DBM secretary revealed that P453.1 billion has been earmarked for climate change expenditures under the proposed 2023 budget to help protect the country's marine environment and make a positive impact on the country's socioeconomic health.

Meanwhile, Pangandaman urged the PCG and other concerned agencies to tirelessly engage in expenditure tracking to conduct a proper reflection of climate change adaptation and mitigation efforts in the government.

PCG Commandant Artemio Abu thanked Pangandaman for gracing the event.

"We are honored to have Secretary Pangandaman with us today. We know and feel in our hearts that she is indeed an advocate of environmental protection," he said.

The MARPOLEX Manila 2022 aims to showcase the PCG's capability in oil spill response, firefighting, search and rescue and response to various incidents occurring in the country's maritime jurisdiction.

Likewise, the activity will test, evaluate and enhance the effectiveness of the working relationship of the PCG with other government agencies and maritime stakeholders.

Other government agencies participating in the exercise are the Philippine Air Force, Philippine Navy, Philippine Army, Bureau of Fire Protection, Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, National Bureau of Investigation, National Intelligence Coordinating Agency, Department of Information and Communications Technology, Philippine Ports Authority Police, and the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office. RAFFY AYENG