Speech by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. at the 125th Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Founding Anniversary

Thank you very much to our Transportation Secretary, Secretary Giovanni Lopez.

The Excellencies of the Diplomatic Corps; House Speaker Faustino Dy III and other members of the House of Representatives who are here with us today; the honorable members of the Cabinet; officers and personnel of the Philippine Coast Guard led by Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan; Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff General Antonio Nafarrete and other major service commanders; the 2026 Philippine Coast Guard anniversary awardees; fellow workers in government; distinguished guests; ladies and gentlemen.

Good morning.

Today, we celebrate 125 years of service by the Philippine Coast Guard and honor the generations of Coast Guardians who have served our Republic.

For a century and a quarter, the Philippine Coast Guard has stood watch over our waters, protected lives, and answered the call of our people in times of uncertainty.

Kaya sa ating pagdiriwang ngayon, hindi lamang natin ginugunita ang nakaraan. Inihahanda rin natin ang kinabukasan.

The seas connect our islands. One mission unites the Philippine Coast Guard. Each generation must be ready to carry that mission forward.

We see that commitment in the work of our Coast Guard personnel.

Over the past year, the Philippine Coast Guard conducted more than 1 million pre-departure inspections of vessels at ports nationwide to help keep the traveling public safe.

Through its search and rescue operations, the Philippine Coast Guard rescued or pre-evacuated almost 95,000 persons and assisted close to [138,000] individuals during disasters and emergencies.

These efforts included the search and rescue operations following the sinking of the MV Trisha Kerstin 3 in Basilan.

The PCG also helped bring essential assistance closer to communities recovering from disasters. Following Typhoon Uwan, our Coast Guardians transported family food packs and water desalination [units] from Manila to Catanduanes.

All of these reflect the many responsibilities that come with serving an archipelago.

The Coast Guard significantly contributed to the protection of our marine environment and biodiversity through coastal clean-up and tree-planting activities.

Equally important, the PCG continues to engage with international partners to safeguard the waters that connect our islands.

We can work with the world while remaining firmly guided by our national interest and without losing sight of our duty to the Filipino people.

The waters that connect our islands must be a source of opportunity for our people, not a source of fear or uncertainty.

And so, to every Coast Guardian serving at our ports and stations, aboard our vessels and aircraft, and deployed in communities across our country: Magpakatatag kayo. Nakikita at ramdam namin ang inyong paglilingkod.
Taos-puso kayong pinasasalamatan ng sambayanan sa inyong katapatan sa tungkulin.

At sa mga pamilyang nagdarasal para sa inyong kaligtasan: maraming salamat sa inyong suporta at pag-unawa.

I also recognize the members of the PCG Auxiliary, including, of course, our First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, for your volunteer service and continued support of the Coast Guard’s mission.

Today, we also honor the districts, stations, enlisted personnel, and civilian employees whose outstanding performance has brought distinction to the Philippine Coast Guard.

We also must commend the dedicated men and women whose professionalism and teamwork have made possible the achievements of our Ships and Aircraft of the Year.

To all our awardees, congratulations.

May your example inspire others, especially the younger members of the service, to take pride in their work and understand that every assignment, however ordinary it may seem, carries a responsibility to the Filipino people.

And so as we mark 125 years of the Philippine Coast Guard, let us look to the horizon with confidence and a renewed commitment to strengthening its capabilities and readiness to respond to increasingly complex maritime challenges.

With capable personnel, sound leadership, and unwavering dedication to the Filipino people, I am confident that we can fulfill this mission.

Maraming salamat at mabuhay ang ating mga Tanod Baybayin!

Mabuhay ang Philippine Coast Guard!

Mabuhay ang Bagong Pilipinas! [applause]

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