Mandaluyong City Rep. Neptali Gonzales II (PNA file photo)
MANILA – The chairperson of the House Special Committee on the West Philippine Sea (WPS) on Wednesday called for sufficient funding in the 2025 national budget to strengthen the country's capacity to protect the WPS.
In a press conference, Mandaluyong City Rep. Neptali Gonzales II said the government should prioritize spending for maritime security in light of ongoing territorial disputes and security concerns in the region.
“It’s about time that the government recalibrates the allocation of funds to include the necessary resources to protect our West Philippine Sea," Gonzales said.
He said Congress had to reallocate PHP1.23 billion in confidential funds from civilian government agencies to security agencies under the 2024 national budget amid escalating tensions with China in the WPS.
Gonzales stressed the need to plan ahead for the upcoming budget cycle as the Department of Budget and Management will soon issue a budget call for 2025.
"It’s about time when we do the budget, the national government includes this as a major concern," Gonzales said. "Not only education, not only health, but also the protection of what is supposed to be ours."
He said among the requirements for protecting the WPS include having more ships and improved Coast Guard capabilities to deter potential threats or bullying in the region.
He highlighted the Philippine Coast Guard's (PCG) concerns about their limited resources, such as small boats and slow supply operations.
For now, Gonzales said all the Philippines can do is file diplomatic protests to show the country's strong commitment to its territorial claims in the region.
Diplomatic protests also serve to garner support from other countries with interests in the region, he noted.
He said video evidence can be utilized to showcase China's aggressive tactics, which has led to increased condemnation from various nations.
“These videos help other countries understand the gravity of the situation,” Gonzales said, adding that countries like Australia, Japan, and European nations have shown interest in supporting the Philippines and establishing security arrangements in the area.
In his keynote address at the Lowly Institute in Melbourne, Australia, President Marcos said the Philippines will continue to upgrade the capabilities of the PCG and pursue the modernization of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in line with his pronouncement that the Philippines shall never surrender even a square inch of its territory and maritime jurisdiction to any country.
“And earlier this year, I approved the updated acquisition plan of the Armed Forces of the Philippines called Re-Horizon 3, in line with our Comprehensive Archipelagic Defense Concept,” he said.
Marcos said Philippine forces must be able to guarantee, to the fullest extent possible, Filipinos, Philippine corporations, and those authorized by the Philippine government, unimpeded and peaceful exploration and exploitation of all natural resources in areas where we have jurisdiction, including within its exclusive economic zone by international law.
The President assured that agencies, forces, and institutions are working to strengthen their capabilities, adding the country is on the frontline of international efforts to preserve, defend, and uphold the rules-based international order. (PNA)
