Coast Guard eyes P25-M supplemental budget - report

MANILA, Philippines - Financially drained by search operations in the MV Princess of the Stars tragedy, the Philippine Coast Guard is considering asking Malacañang for a supplemental budget of at least P25 million. Radio dzBB's Carlo Mateo reported Friday that Coast Guard spokesman Lt. Cmdr. Armand Balilo lamented the Coast Guard had spent P25 million for search operations since June. Balilo said they had requested the ship's owner Sulpicio Lines Inc. to at least help shoulder the costs, but their requests had so far fallen on deaf ears. He said the Coast Guard is bracing for search operations it may have to conduct in the coming months, as at least 10 more cyclones are expected to enter Philippine territory this year. Coast Guard commandant Vice Admiral Wilfredo Tamayo has written the Palace for the supplemental budget, Balilo said. - GMANews.TV