The United States will be giving out additional funds to boost the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and other maritime law enforcement agencies in the country, its Vice President Kamala Harris announced Tuesday.
Harris, who arrived in the country on Sunday night, met with the PCG for a tour inside BRP Teresa Magbanua (MRRV-9701) that was docked at Puerto Princesa Port in Palawan.
"To the PCG, you are on the frontline of standing up for international rules-based order," Harris said in her remarks.
"Each and every day, as you patrol these waters, you uphold the rules and norms that are vital to the prosperity of the Filipino people and people around the world," she added.
The additional funding, according to her, will increase the concerned agencies' capacity to counter Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) fishing; enhance their monitoring systems; and upgrade their equipment
On Monday, Harris paid a courtesy call to President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. wherein she affirmed their government's commitment to defending the Philippines in an event of a military attack over the contested waters of the South China Sea.
"We must uphold international rules and norms in the South China Sea in order to protect the lives and livelihoods of the people of Palawan and the Philippines. We will support the economic vitality of these communities and the ecosystems they rely on," she said in a post.
Transportation (DOTr) Undersecretary for Maritime Elmer Sarmiento expressed his gratitude to the US government for continuously providing capacity-building opportunities for PCG officers and personnel.
"The United States has always been responsive in providing much-needed capacity-building opportunities to the PCG, especially in strengthening the skills of its personnel, particularly in the fields of maritime security, law enforcement, and maritime safety," Sarmiento said.
"The US Vice President's visit today is another strong manifestation of the commitment of the United States administration in strengthening cooperation with the Philippines," he added.
