Marcos Jr. swears in PCG chief, others

MANILA, Philippines — President Marcos yesterday swore in new officials of various government agencies, led by Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) commander Vice Admiral Roy Echeverria.

At a ceremony held at Malacañang, Marcos urged the new officials to continue to demonstrate excellence and integrity while performing their respective duties.

“I trust that you will remain models of excellence and integrity, especially to your staff, stakeholders and communities,” he said in his speech.

The other officials who took their oaths before the President were National Commission on Indigenous Peoples chairperson Jennifer Pia Sibug-las and Special Envoy to the Republic of Korea for digital transformation Dennis Anthony Uy.

Marcos also administered the oath-taking of new officers of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, Press Photographers of the Philippines, Malacañang Press Corps, Malacañang Cameramen Association and Presidential Photojournalists Association.

The President stressed that the new officials’ unwavering commitment and presence are crucial to the sectors that they serve.

He also gave assurance that his administration would continue to provide support to their offices to ensure continuing development in their sectors and enjoined them to work for the betterment of the country.

“This administration will spare no effort to provide the support necessary to address the pressing concerns that hinder development in the sectors of our communities under your authority,” he said.

In a related development, the PCG will get a big patrol ship and an additional budget in 2024, Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri said yesterday.

“Part of the … amendment that we are working on for the 2024 budget is the purchase of equipment like patrol ships, large patrol ships, offshore patrol ships, not just those 100-footer, 70-footer ones that you see. The larger patrol ships can be used in far-reaching ocean areas ... We commit to get that in this budget,” Zubiri said.

An additional budget will also be allocated to the PCG’s miscellaneous and other operating expenses, according to the Senate president. –  Cecille Suerte Felipe