INAPRUBAHAN ng National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Board, sa pamumuno ni Presidente Ferdinand Marcos Jr., ang pagbili ng 40 units ng fast patrol craft (FPC).
Ang proyekto, na nagkakahalaga ng P25.8 billion at popondohan sa pamamagitan ng official development assistance mula sa French government, ay kinabibilangan ng 40 FPCs, 20 rito ay magiging locally built, Integrated Logistics Support, at support equipment para sa Philippine Coast Guard bases.
‘The project aligns with the government’s objective of enhancing maritime security by upgrading the capabilities of institutions such as the Philippine Coast Guard,” wika ni NEDA Secretary Arsenio Balisacan sa isang press release.
”The new FPCs will help deter smuggling and illegal activities while ensuring the enforcement of maritime sovereignty in critical marine areas,” dagdag pa niya.
Ang NEDA Board meeting ay idinaos noong Martes, November 5, sa Malacañang Palace.
Suportado ng administrasyong Marcos ang pagpapaunlad at modernisasyon ng assets ng bansa, partikular sa pagsiguro sa seguridad sa Philippine maritime territories.
“The FPCs would develop the country’s response capabilities when it comes to search and rescue operations, environmental protection, maritime law enforcement, and disaster response,” ayon sa NEDA Board.
Bukod sa pagbili ng 40 FPCs, inaprubahan din ng Board ang pagpapalawig at pagtataas sa budget ng dalawang flood-control projects sa ilalim ng Department of Public Works and Highways: ang Cavite Industrial Area-Flood Risk Management Project (CIA-FRMP) at ang Pasig-Marikina River Channel Improvement Project, Phase IV (PMRCIP IV).