Gullas presses Congress to revitalize Coast Guard

Cebu Rep. Eduardo Gullas yesterday stressed the need for Congress to strengthen the 107-year-old Philippine Coast Guard to cope with the rapidly growing demands of one of the world's largest archipelagos in the areas of maritime operations, maritime law enforcement and safety, maritime search and rescue, and marine environmental protection.

Gullas, principal author of House Bill 5151, or the proposed Philippine Coast Guard Act, said the measure seeks to expand the powers and functions of the Coast Guard and define its organizational structure and personnel administration.

"The current force and capabilities of the 5,000-strong PCG is grossly inadequate, considering we have one of the most world's most extensive coastlines spread over 7,107 islands," Gullas said.

"While we rely mainly on interisland sea travel to move people and commodities, yet we cannot provide adequate ship and passenger safety. Our country is one of the world’s biggest producers of fish but we cannot properly secure our fisherfolk when they are in the high seas," Gullas said.

The Cebu solon is proposing the expansion of the PCG's regular force to at least 25,000 over the next five years through a multi-billion-peso modernization program.

He also said the Philippine government should seek assistance from the United States and Australia for new or refurbished vessels to augment the PCG's capabilities.

Gullas made his new pitch for the Coast Guard not long after the interisland ferry MB Don Dexter Cathlyn was struck by a squall and capsized off Masbate, killing at least 42 of the boat's 157 passengers.

Five months earlier, the MV Princess of the Stars sank in a storm off Sibuyan Island in Romblon, killing more than 800 passengers. The tragedy was blamed in part on the PCG's failure to promptly send a search and rescue team capable of withstanding the turbulent weather.

The House committees on appropriations and on transportation have already endorsed for plenary approval the bill that also seeks to permanently transfer the PCG to the Department of Transportation and Communications "as a distinct, armed and uniformed agency." – Garry Lao/JST (THE FREEMAN)