To strengthen the Philippine Coast Guard's (PCG) role in defending and protecting Philippine sovereignty and ensuring seamless transport by sea, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) joined its 4th quarter Command Conference yesterday, 7 December 2023.

The conference, led by Transport Secretary Jaime Bautista together with DOTr Undersecretary for Maritime Elmer Sarmiento, PCG Commandant Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan and DOTr Assistant Secretary for Maritime Julius Yano with other PCG officials, discussed topics concerning maritime incidents, modernization plans and projects, and the PCG modernization bill.

"Let's see to it that we take advantage of all these assets for us to be able to save lives, to law enforcement, to protecting the environment, to provide security and one of which our very important role— our role in the West Philippine Sea. I know the coast guard has been very active on this, and with all your participation we will show to the country the importance of the PCG," Sec. Bautista remarked during the conference.

The Transport Chief also acknowledged the need of many reforms in the PCG and asked the coast guardians to implement best practices, think out of the box, and the importance to adapt to new technology to better attend to their duties and responsibilities.

Sec. Bautista then reiterated the ten-point marching orders given to the PCG to strengthen and improve organizational efficiency and successfully serve the public to safety, security, and efficiency above and beyond the sea.