On November 5, 2024, the Philippine National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Board, chaired by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., approved a plan for the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) to acquire 40 fast patrol craft (FPC). This $439 million project, funded by official development assistance from France, stipulates that 20 of these FPCs will be built domestically. The acquisition addresses an increase in confrontations with Chinese vessels, aiming to bolster the PCG’s operational capabilities.
The acquisition is expected to enhance the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG)’s response efficiency in various mission areas, including search and rescue, environmental protection, maritime law enforcement, and disaster response. NEDA Secretary Arsenio M. Balisacan stated that the project supports the government’s goal of strengthening maritime security, addressing illegal activities, and maintaining maritime sovereignty. PCG Commandant Admiral Ronnie Gavan noted this purchase as the largest in the PCG’s modernization efforts, with a goal of deploying at least two patrol boats per district.