MANILA, Nov. 27 -- The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) is set to acquire additional vessels and equipment to strengthen its presence in the West Philippine Sea after the Senate augmented the agency's 2026 budget by PHP8.6 billion, transportation officials said during budget deliberations on Thursday.

Senator JV Ejercito, sponsor of the Department of Transportation (DOTr) budget, said the augmentation would allow the PCG to procure new vessels, including a 97-meter multi-role response vessel (MRV) from Japan and three 87-meter vessels to expand the country's maritime patrol capability.

The PCG will also receive around 40 aluminum boats for search-and-rescue operations, especially during typhoons and other calamities.

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