The Senate increasing the budget of the Philippine Coast Guard by P1.3 billion is crucial to enhancing their capabilities, modernizing equipment, and continuous operations in the West Philippine Sea.

This was what Senator Grace Poe said when she defended the 2024 proposed budget of the PCG's mother agency, the Department of Transportation, during a Senate plenary debate late Monday night.

Poe said the PCG is currently working with the military on the development of a roadmap that would address the increasing assertiveness of China in the country's exclusive economic zone in the WPS.

"They are developing a roadmap together with the military but they haven't really produced one yet. It's really a work in progress. We're actually late in the game but at least we're doing it now," she said.

"As I mentioned we increased the budget of the Philippine Coast Guard," she added.

Poe noted the PCG can utilize the additional P1.3 billion for repairing their facilities and equipment as well as fueling ships for more improved maritime patrols in Philippine waters, particularly in the WPS.

"This is the initiative of the Senate because they need about… The total budget of the PCG is 27 billion. We increased that, about 100-something million a month on fuel alone. And they also need for repairs, 563 million for dry-docking repair of PCG vessels, 600 million for fuel requirement for PCG vessels — these are supplementals," she said, noting that the PCG ships should be maintained every month and dry dock at least twice in five years.

In her interpellation, Senator Risa Hontiveros welcomed the PCG's development of a road map, in cooperation with the Armed Forces of the Philippines, saying it would be beneficial amid China's harassment and dangerous acts against the Philippine vessels.

While the PCG is focusing its efforts on the WPS and protecting the country's territory, Poe said it should be noted that the coast is also combatting illegal fishing, piracy, terrorism, illegal drugs, smuggling, and human trafficking cases within Philippine waters.

"They're like our peace-time patrol. So they are our first line of defense right now," she added.