To the Commandant of the Philippine Coast Guard, CG Admiral Artemio Abu, to all the officers and members of the Philippine Coast Guard, and to my fellow public servants from the Department of Budget and Management, magandang umaga po.

Assalamu alaikum wa Raḥmatullahi wa Barakatuh.

It is my honor to now stand before you not only as Secretary of Budget and Management but as an Auxiliary Rear Admiral of the Philippine Coast Guard.

I am truly delighted to be back here, this time as a PCGA Executive Squadron Member. As I said on my first visit, I feel a special sense of pride when I speak before uniformed personnel who are ready to sacrifice their lives for the safety and security of the Filipino people.

And as one of the Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliaries who took an oath today, I join you in carrying out the mission of the PCG: “to implement and enforce all national and international maritime safety, security, search and rescue, and marine environmental protection laws in support of the integrated Maritime Transportation Network objectives, national security, and economic development of the Philippines.”

This is such a special and crucial mission that requires strategy, strength, and synergy.

Strategy is necessary, especially for the enforcement of national and international maritime safety. When there is any threat to our territorial jurisdiction, the Filipino people need our service the most. While we’re aware of our limitations when it comes to vessels, equipment, and manpower, we are glad we can rely on the PCG which has been harnessing alliances, increasing our capabilities, and employing diplomatic strategies to protect our maritime borders and resources.

Moreover, we also need strength, especially for ensuring security, and in doing search and rescue operations, among others. This is why we fully support the proposed modernization program of the Philippine Coast Guard which entails not only the acquisition of top-of-the-line assets and equipment but also building the capacity and expansion of its workforce.

And when we speak of strength and capacity, we cover not just physical strength but also mental and emotional strength. Hindi biro ang ating trabaho pero dahil tayo ay nangako sa bawat Pilipino, dapat lang na mapagyaman pa ang ating kakayanan at maging mas handa tayong gampanan ang ating responsibilidad. So as Admiral Abu said, the perfect time for the PCG Modernization Program is now.

Finally, synergy. Among other priorities, this is most needed in marine environmental protection. As I always say, climate change adaptation and mitigation needs a whole-of-nation approach. And so we need to synergize our efforts as we address environmental threats such as oil spills, respond to disasters and emergencies, and enforce marine environmental laws and regulations. I also encourage the PCG’s partnership with local government units and communities, among others, to help improve the cleanliness of our maritime areas and resources. Indeed, it takes an entire community.

On our end at DBM, like the Philippine Coast Guard, we also in our own way champion sustainability and prioritize interventions for environmental protection. For 2023, the budget for addressing climate change will reach Php 464.5 billion, equivalent to 8.8 percent of the total budget. This is significantly higher by 60.1 percent compared to last year’s allocation of Php 289.7 billion, attesting to our commitment to strengthening disaster resiliency and ensuring the protection and preservation of our natural resources.

Before I end, I would like to thank you for this opportunity not only to assist PCG in its endeavors but to actually become part of the PCG through PCGA. We are also especially honored as the donning of ranks included not only me but also our DBM undersecretaries and other officials and employees who, like me, are grateful for the opportunity to serve our country in this manner.

Rest assured that the DBM is one with you in the realization of your vision to become a world-class guardian of the sea committed to saving lives, ensuring maritime transport, and securing maritime jurisdiction.

Maraming salamat po at mabuhay kayong lahat.

Wabillahi Tawfiq Wal Hidaya, Wasalamu alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa Barakatuhu.