PASAY CITY—The Philippine Senate fast-tracked critical reforms on May 6, focusing on national security and the protection of vulnerable labor sectors. 

A major highlight of the plenary session was the deliberation of Senate Bill No. 2116, the Revised Philippine Coast Guard Law. 

Senator Raffy Tulfo and Senate President Vicente Sotto III spearheaded the push to modernize the agency, arguing that the PCG needs a more robust organizational structure and upgraded equipment to tackle evolving maritime threats and international obligations.

Senate President Sotto emphasized that modernization must be holistic, noting that better salaries and benefits must be paired with high-tech hardware, such as specialized search-and-rescue aircraft. 

“Perhaps you can look into these possibilities so that you can also modernize the PCG—not only the manpower, salaries, and benefits. That could be a very good strengthening.” The Senate President said.

Beyond maritime safety, the chamber turned its attention to the "pakyawan" or piece-rate workforce. 

Senator Tulfo sponsored Senate Bill No. 2115, titled the Anti-Abuse of Pakyawan Workers Act, which aims to transform the legal rights of these laborers from mere "provisions on paper" into enforceable protections. 

“It is high time that we provide the necessary support, recognition, and organizational structure to empower the PCG to fulfill its mission effectively,” Senator Tulfo said in his speech.

This measure seeks to end common exploitative practices and ensure that those paid by the task—rather than by the hour—receive fair treatment and legal recourse under the law.

The legislative marathon also addressed social welfare through several key bills aimed at protecting the marginalized. 

Lawmakers debated the Magna Carta of Barangay Health Workers (SBN 1905) to provide better support for frontline community heroes, alongside the Agriculture and Fisheries Extension Act (SBN 1991). 

Additionally, the Senate pushed for the Expanded Online Sexual Abuse or Exploitation of Children (OSAEC) Act, a critical move to strengthen the country’s defenses against digital crimes targeting minors.

As the session concluded, the consensus among lawmakers remained clear: whether at sea, in the fields, or in digital spaces, the country’s legal framework must evolve rapidly to meet the demands of 2026.