01/10/2026
30 September 2026, House of Representatives — Cong. Budoy Madrona attended the deliberations of the Committee on Appropriations on House Bill No. 426 – An Act Strengthening the Philippine Coast Guard by Introducing Policy and Organizational Reforms, authored by this Representation, together with 14 related House Bills. After extensive discussions among the sponsors, Members of Congress, and resource agencies, including the Department of Transportation (DOTr), the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), and the leadership of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), the Committee approved the measure.
The deliberations underscored the Coast Guard’s expanding role in maritime safety, territorial defense, environmental protection, and law enforcement. Sponsorship remarks emphasized the urgency of reforms that had been delayed in previous Congresses, while resource agencies provided fiscal and operational insights. The DOTr expressed full support for the measure, while the DBM raised fiscal considerations and proposed a phased implementation. Meanwhile, PCG Commandant Admiral Ronnie Gil L. Gavan appealed for equitable pay and pension benefits for Coast Guard personnel and retirees.
The proposed reforms must also undergo the necessary review and funding process through the Committee on Appropriations and the Committee on Ways and Means. The Committee on Appropriations considers the funding requirements of the proposed reforms, while the Committee on Ways and Means addresses possible revenue sources to support them. These processes help ensure that the proposed strengthening of the Philippine Coast Guard is supported by the necessary funding and appropriate revenue measures.
Later that evening, during the regular session, House Bill No. 11562, in substitution of 15 House Bills, including HB No. 426, and covered by Committee Report No. 650, was approved, as amended, on Second Reading. This marks another significant step toward advancing reforms for the Philippine Coast Guard.