coast guard law 2009

Being the oldest and the only humanitarian armed service of the country, the Coast Guard prides itself ofrich legacies that can be traced back from its inception in the early years of the twentieth century. Coast

Guard functions were earlier related primarily to the protection of the customs service in safeguarding revenuecollections and patrolling the country’s coastlines and harbors.

When the Americans came in 1898, one of the first steps undertaken by the Military Government was thereopening of the port and customs facilities of Manila. The Insular Government through the Philippine Commissionenacted on October 17, 1901 a law creating the Bureau of Coast Guard and Transportation. The Captain of thePort was designated as the bureau director. The bureau was placed under the Department of Commerce andPolice. The lighthouse service was under this bureau. A year after its creation, a coast guard fleet of fifteen steamersbuilt in China and Japan, were acquired. The ships were assigned for the lighthouse service, for inspection trips oftop government officials, for transport to Culion, for patrolling against illegal entry of aliens, and also for troopmovement of the Philippine Constabulary.

When the Bureau of Coast Guard and Transportation was abolished under Philippine Commission Act No.1407 on October 26, 1905, its functions were taken over by the Bureau of Navigation. This bureau was authorizedto create a commissioned and enlisted service within the agency, and to adopt its own manual of courts martialpatterned after the U.S. Navy.

When the Bureau of Navigation was abolished on December 19, 1913, its property, equipment, personnel,functions and duties were transferred to the Bureau of Customs and the Bureau of Public Works. During theCommonwealth era, the Bureau of Customs succeeded in maintaining a disciplined and well-trained uniformedservice force manning the coast guard cutters and operating the lighthouses. The Bureau of Public Works tookcare of the construction and repair of lighthouses and port facilities. In the early years of the Philippine Republic,the Philippine Naval Patrol, which eventually became the Philippine Navy, absorbed some of the coast guardfunctions. In 1948, the revenue cutter service and the lighthouse service were transferred to the Philippine NavalPatrol.

On August 6, 1967, Congress enacted a law creating the Philippine Coast Guard as a major unit of thePhilippine Navy under a flag officer. By virtue of Republic Act No. 5173, the PCG was activated on October 10,1967 and the coast guard functions of the Bureau of Customs were transferred back to the PCG, with the Board ofMarine Inquiry in addition. In view of the clamor to separate the Coast Guard from the Department of NationalDefense, Executive Order No. 475 was issued on March 30, 1998 “Transferring the Philippine Coast Guard fromthe Department of National Defense to the Office of the President.” The Executive Order provides inter alia that thePCG shall continue to be the agency primarily responsible for the promotion of safety of life and property at seaand the protection of the marine environment as mandated by RA 5173, PD 600, PD 601, PD 602, PD 979, asamended.

Subsequently, after a short transition period, Executive Order No. 477 was issued on April 15, 1998, providingfor the transfer of the PCG from the Office of the President to the Department of Transportation and Communications.The transformation of the PCG into a non-military organization has a tremendous positive impact and far-reachingsignificance as it continues to undertake various humanitarian missions.

After 12 years since the transfer of the PCG from the DND to the DOTC, the 14th Congress paved the way forthe enactment of the Coast Guard Law of 2009. On February 12, 2010, Her Excellency President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo signed Republic Act No. 9993, an act establishing the Philippine Coast Guard as an armed and uniformedservice attached to the Department of Transportation and Communications. Under the new law, the PCG has thefollowing core functional areas; maritime search and rescue, maritime safety, marine environmental protection,maritime law enforcement, and maritime security.

Through the years, the Coast Guard continues with its time-honored tradition of humanitarian service, alwaysready to answer the call of duty.

OFFICE OF THE SECRETARYDepartment of Transportation and Communications

Mandaluyong City

My warmest congratulations to the men and women of the Philippine Coast Guardto whom a fresh mandate has been conferred with the passage of Republic Act 9993,otherwise known as the “Philippine Coast Guard Law of 2009”.

For many years now, the Government has been working to develop the maritimesector as a pivotal component of Philippine economic development. The coming intoforce of RA 9993 is a very valuable outcome of this effort and an unambiguous recognitionof the important role that the PCG is expected to play in nation-building. I am confidentthat the aspirations of the Filipino people for a progressive maritime sector, thriving in asafe and secure maritime setting, is rightly entrusted to the care of the PCG through theenactment of this law. Your organization is home to men and women who persevered toperpetuate a culture of maritime safety, security, and environmental protection throughyears and years of experience and achievements.

Since the establishment of the PCG, the spirit of innovation and can-do attitude ofits officers, men and women successfully bridged the gap between limited resourcesand mission attainment. With the passage of RA 9993, we look forward to a remarkablevoyage ahead with your renewed mandate and capabilities.

Once again, congratulations and I wish you fair winds, clear skies and followingseas into the future.

LEANDRO R. MENDOZASecretary

MESSAGE

Warmest congratulations to the men and women of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) asyou celebrate the passage of Republic Act No. 9993, also known as the Philippine Coast GuardLaw of 2009.

The PCG has never ceased to be in the forefront of its high-risk and life-threatening roleas the guardian and protector of our seas, vigilantly performing its multifarious mandate ofensuring safety of life and property at sea, marine environmental protection and maritime lawenforcement and security. Our limitations for sophisticated material assets have been aptlycompensated by your unequivocal commitment, devotion to duty and your indomitable courageand bravery as Coast Guardians. This is the quality of service that incessantly brings pride andconfidence to the Filipino nation.

I commend you for your outstanding performance and considerable contribution in pursuitof maritime safety, security and environmental protection. Your achievements reflect the dedicationand unwavering commitment of the PCG to its patriotic duty to serve the nation. The passageof the PCG Law of 2009 manifests the renewed trust and confidence the government and thenation have bestowed to your organization.

Continue to sail on and weather every storm that threatens your way. Keep your directionfocused towards the accomplishment of your reinforced mission, look after your men, maximizethe utilization of your resources, and strive for modernization so that you may serve the Filipinonation better.

Let us therefore be united in all our efforts, for in solidarity, we shall conquer all thechallenges that may come our way.

Once again, congratulations and Mabuhay ang Philippine Coast Guard!

GEN. THOMPSON C. LANTION (Ret)Undersecretary for Maritime Transport

OFFICE OF THE UNDERSECRETARY FOR MARITIME TRANSPORTDepartment of Transportation and Communications

Mandaluyong City

MESSAGE

TANGGAPAN NG KOMANDANTEOFFICE OF THE COMMANDANT

PUNONGHIMPILAN TANOD BAYBAYIN NG PILIPINAS(Headquarters Philippine Coast Guard)

139 25th Street, Port Area1018 Manila

One hundred and eight years ago, the Philippine Coast Guard came into itsexistence with the very key purpose of protecting the lives of the people and guidingnavigators to safely traverse our seas. In 1998, our separation from the Philippine Navy,had brought us out from the limiting shell of the defense establishment. With high hopesand aspirations, we braved the long years of humble existence and modest resources,hoping that soon, we will eventually navigate on our own — an independent, reliableand capable humanitarian service that must always be ready to answer the call of duty.

With the passage of Republic Act 9993, otherwise known as the “Philippine CoastGuard Law of 2009”, we have finally been rewarded with the greatest recognition in ourcapability of performing our mandates of ensuring maritime safety, maritime security,and protection of the marine environment. With this, we are truly grateful to all thosewho believed in the cause of the PCG as a multi-mission maritime agency primarilygeared towards saving lives.

Undoubtedly, this long awaited passage of our Law will take us - the officers, enlistedpersonnel and civilian employees of the PCG – to wider maritime horizons and open thegulfs of maritime endeavors. Hand in hand, let us therefore, altogether go full speed andplot the right course to face the challenges and infinite opportunities that our new mandatewill present us. As a solid and unified organization, let us wholeheartedly accept, protectand cherish this very crucial and significant responsibility that has been entrusted to usby the Filipino people.

To my fellow Coast Guardians, let us embrace and make the most of this veryprecious gift that has been bestowed upon us. Collectively, let us continue to moveforward and direct our sails towards a better and brighter future.

Congratulations to all of us. Mabuhay ang Philippine Coast Guard!

WILFREDO D TAMAYOAdmiral PCG

MESSAGE

THE PHILIPPINE COAST GUARD LAW OF 2009

Republic of the Philippines

Congress of the PhilippinesMetro Manila

Fourteenth Congress

Third Regular Session

Begun and held in Metro Manila, on Monday, the twenty-seventh

day of July, two thousand nine.

[ REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9993 ]

AN ACT ESTABLISHING THE PHILIPPINE COAST GUARD AS AN ARMED AND UNIFORMEDSERVICE ATTACHED TO THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION ANDCOMMUNICATIONS, THEREBY REPEALING REPUBLIC ACT NO. 5173, AS AMENDED ANDFOR OTHER PURPOSES

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Title. – This Act shall be known as the “Philippine Coast Guard Law of 2009”

SECTION 2. Establishment. – The Philippine Coast Guard, hereinafter referred to as the PCG, ishereby established as an armed and uniformed service attached to the Department of Transportation andCommunications (DOTC): Provided, That in times of war, as declared by Congress, the PCG or partsthereof, shall be attached to the Department of National Defense.

SEC. 3. Powers and Functions. – The PCG shall have the following powers and functions:

(a) To enforce regulations in accordance with all relevant maritime international conventions, treatiesor instruments and national laws for the promotion of safety of life and property at sea within the maritimejurisdiction of the Philippines and conduct port state control implementation;

(b) To conduct inspections on all merchant ships and vessels, including but shall not be limited toinspections prior to departure, to ensure and enforce compliance with safety standards, rules and regulations;

(c) To detain, stop or prevent a ship or vessel which does not comply with safety standards, rulesand regulations from sailing or leaving port;

(d) To conduct emergency readiness evaluation on merchant marine vessels;

(e) Subject to the approval of the Secretary of the DOTC, to issue and enforce rules and regulationsfor the promotion of safety and life and property at sea on all maritime-related activities;


(f) To coordinate, develop, establish, maintain and operate aids to navigation, vessel traffic system,maritime communications and search and rescue facilities within the maritime jurisdiction of thePhilippines;

(g) To remove, destroy or tow to port, sunken or floating hazards to navigation, including illegalfish traps and vessels, at or close to sea lanes which may cause hazard to the marine environment;

(h) To issue permits for the salvage of vessels and to supervise all marine salvage operations, aswell as prescribe and enforce rules and regulations governing the same;

(i) To render aid to persons and vessels in distress and conduct search and rescue in marineaccidents within the maritime jurisdiction of the Philippines, including the high seas, in accordance withapplicable international conventions. In the performance of this function, the PCG may enlist the servicesof other government agencies and the merchant marine fleet;

(j) To investigate and inquire into the causes of all maritime accidents involving death, casualtiesand damage to properties;

(k) To assist in the enforcement and maintenance of maritime security, prevention or suppressionof terrorism at sea, and performance of law enforcement functions in accordance with pertinent laws,rules and regulations;

(l) To assist in the enforcement of laws on fisheries, immigration, tariff and customs, forestry,firearms and explosives, human trafficking, dangerous drugs and controlled chemicals, transnationalcrimes and other applicable laws within the maritime jurisdiction of the Philippines;

(m) To board and inspect all types of merchant ships and watercrafts in the performance of itsfunctions;

(n) To enforce laws and promulgate and administer rules and regulations for the protection ofmarine environment and resources from offshore sources of pollution within the maritime jurisdiction ofthe Philippines;

(o) To develop oil spill response, containment and recovery capabilities against ship-based pollution;

(p) To grant, within its capabilities and consistent with its mandate, requests for assistance of othergovernment agencies in the performance of their functions;

(q) To organize, train and supervise the PCG Auxiliary (PCGA) for the purpose of assisting thePCG in carrying out its mandated functions; and

(r) To perform such other functions that may be necessary in the attainment of the objectives ofthis Act.

SEC. 4. Gender Sensitivity Program. – Gender concerns should be addressed in all planning activities,setting of priorities, allocating of resources and identifying actions and activities of the PCG. It shouldalso incorporate a gender sensitive perspective in the implementation of such plans and programs.

Gender sensitivity shall also be employed in all its internal policies, strategies, budget, projects,structures and mechanisms, including but not limited to hiring, promotions, assignment, trainingopportunities, pay and benefits. A gender perspective should likewise be integrated in all its trainingprograms, especially for maritime search and rescue.

SEC. 5. The PCG Commandant. – The PCG shall be headed by a Commandant who shall carry therank of Coast Guard Admiral: Provided, that he shall be appointed by the President from among the FlagOfficers in the Coast Guard service. He shall hold a command-at-sea badge and must have served as a


District Commander of the PCG. The Commandant shall have a maximum term of three (3) years. ACommandant who has served for three (3) years prior to his compulsory retirement shall be considered asretired and entitled to all the benefits available to a Coast Guard officer as if he is compulsorily retired.

SEC. 6. Organization. – The PCG shall consist of the following categories of officers and employees;

(a) PCG officers;(b) PCG non-officers;(c) PCG non-uniformed personnel;(d) Probationary ensign; and(e) Cadets and Cadettes.

SEC. 7. Officer Rank Distribution. - The officer rank distribution of the PCG shall be as follows:two per centum (2%) in the Flag Officer rank; six per centum (6%) in the rank of Coast Guard Captain;twelve per centum (12%) in the rank of Coast Guard Commander; eighteen per centum (18%) in the rankof Coast Guard Lieutenant Commander; twenty per centum (20%) in the rank of Coast Guard Lieutenant;and forty-two per centum (42%) in the ranks of Coast Guard Lieutenant Junior Grade and Coast GuardEnsign; Provided, That such distribution is based on the ratio between officer and non-officer which isone (1) officer to every seven (7) non-officer: Provided, finally, That if the actual number in a rank is lessthan the number prescribed, the difference may be applied as an increase to the number prescribed in alower rank.

SEC. 8. Distribution of Flag Officers. – The number of Flag Officers herein authorized shall bedistributed to the various Flag Officer ranks in accordance with the schedule as hereunder prescribed:

Coast Guard Admiral 1Coast Guard Vice Admiral 1Coast Guard Rear Admiral 5Coast Guard Commodore 15

Total 22

Provided, That the herein prescribed Coast Guard ranks shall be distinct from those prescribed inthe Philippine Navy: Provided, further, That the total number of Flag Officers prescribed under thissection shall in no case be less than the number resulting from the implementation of Section 7 hereof,otherwise the latter shall apply.

The number corresponding to the ranks of Coast Guard Admiral, Coast Guard Vice Admiral, CoastGuard Rear Admiral, and Coast Guard Commodore, as provided for in this section, shall be the maximum:Provided, That if the actual number in a rank, except in the case of Coast Guard Admiral and Coast GuardVice Admiral, is less than the number herein prescribed, the difference may be applied as an increase tothe number prescribed in the lower rank: Provided, finally, That no officer shall be promoted to the rankof Coast Guard Commodore or higher unless there is an existing vacancy, and the officer is occupying aposition in the table of organization that requires the rank of which he is being considered for promotion.

SEC. 9. Maximum Tenure in Rank. – The maximum tenure of officers in the ranks of Captain andFlag Officer in the PCG are hereby prescribed as follows:

Rank Maximum Tenure in RankCoast Guard Admiral three (3) yearsCoast Guard Vice Admiral three (3) yearsCoast Guard Rear Admiral three (3) yearsCoast Guard Commodore five (5) yearsCoast Guard Captain seven (7) years


Unless earlier separated, retired or promoted to the next higher rank or occupying a position callingfor the higher rank in the PCG table of organization, Captains and Flag Officers shall be compulsorilyretired upon the attainment of the maximum tenure in rank herein prescribed, or upon reaching the age ofcompulsory retirement whichever comes earlier: Provided, That officers already holding these ranksupon the approval of this Act may be allowed one (1) year more of tenure in rank before the maximumtenure provided in this section shall be applied to them, unless they shall have already reached thecompulsory retirement age under existing laws, in which case the compulsory retirement age shall prevail.

SEC. 10. Maximum Tenure in Position. – Officers holding the following key positions are herebylimited to a maximum tenure of three (3) years, unless otherwise earlier relieved by competent authorityor compulsorily retired under existing laws:

Coast Guard Commandant;Coast Guard Deputy Commandant; andCoast Guard District Commander.

Provided, That except for the Commandant, no other officer shall be assigned/designated to theaforementioned key positions or promoted to the rank of Commodore or higher if he has less than (1) yearof active service remaining prior to compulsory retirement.

SEC. 11. Organization of a PCG Auxiliary (PCGA). – The PCG shall continue to maintain, supervise,develop and train the PCGA as a civilian volunteer organization under the direct control and supervisionof the PCG Commandant. The PCGA shall assist the PCG in the promotion of safety of life and propertyat sea, the preservation of the marine environment and its resources, the conduct of maritime search andrescue, the maintenance of aids to navigation and such other activities that enhance maritime communityrelations which include civic action, participation under the National Service Training Program, youthdevelopment, recreational safety and other related activities.

SEC.12. Appointments. – Appointments of PCG officers, which shall be in the initial rank of CoastGuard Ensign, shall be made by the Secretary of the DOTC upon the recommendation of the PCGCommandant. The initial appointment ranks of chaplains, dentists, lawyers, medical doctors andveterinarians shall be Coast Guard Lieutenant.

No person shall be appointed as an officer of the PCG unless he is a natural born citizen of thePhilippines, at least twenty-one (21) years of age at the date of appointment, physically fit and is abaccalaureate degree holder. The appointment of the PCG Commandant and Flag Officers shall be approvedby the President upon the recommendation of the Secretary of the DOTC. Appointments of all PCG non-officers shall be made by the PCG Commandant. Appointments of all non-uniformed personnel shall bein accordance with the Civil Service laws, rules and regulations.

SEC. 13. Promotions. – The promotion of PCG officers, as submitted by the PCG Officers Selectionand Promotion Board, shall be recommended by the PCG Commandant for the approval of the Secretaryof the DOTC: Provided, That the promotion to the rank of Flag Officers in the PCG shall be submitted bya Board of Senior Officers to the PCG Commandant for the approval of the President upon therecommendation of the Secretary of the DOTC: Provided, further, That said officers shall possess all thequalifications and none of the disqualification provided under pertinent laws, rules and regulations,specifically on the completion of the required schooling, training and minimum time and grade for saidranks.

The PCG Commandant shall approve the promotion of PCG non-officers to the next higher rankbased on the recommendation of the PCG Selection and Promotion Board for Non-Officers: Provided,That special or meritorious promotion shall be extended to any PCG non-officer for acts of inconspicuouscourage or outstanding achievement in the Coast Guard service as determined by the PCG Selection and


Promotion Board for Non-Officers. The promotion of non-uniformed employees shall be governed byCivil Service laws, rules and regulations.

SEC.14. Salaries and Other Benefits. – The uniformed personnel of the PCG shall receive the samebase pay, longevity pay, hazard pay and other benefits and allowances as are now or hereafter may beauthorized for corresponding salary grades and ranks in the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) untilsuch time that a new law is enacted for the purpose. The salaries and allowances of the non-uniformedemployees of the PCG shall be in accordance with Civil Service laws, rules and regulations.

SEC. 15. Active Service. – For purposes of this Act, the active service of PCG personnel hereofshall refer to services rendered as an officer, non-officer, probationary ensign, or those rendered as acivilian official or employee in the PCG prior to the date of separation or retirement from the PCG:Provided, That the term active service shall include confirmed services rendered as a civilian employee inthe Philippine government.

SEC.16. Disciplinary Action. – The applicable and pertinent provisions of the AFP Military JusticeSystem shall be adopted in disciplinary cases against PCG officers and non-officers. The applicable rules,regulations and guidelines promulgated by the Civil Service Commission shall govern cases against PCGnon-uniformed employees.

SEC. 17. Retirement. – Upon attaining fifty-six (56) years of age or upon accumulation of thirty(30) years of continuous satisfactory active service, whichever comes later, a PCG officer or non-officershall be compulsorily retired: Provided, That said officer or non-officer shall have a minimum of twenty(20) years of active service. The retirement of non-uniformed personnel shall be governed by Civil Servicelaws, rules and regulations.

SEC. 18. Retirement Benefits. – Monthly retirement pay of officers and non-officers shall be fiftypercent (50%) of base pay and longevity pay of the next higher grade last held in case of twenty (20) yearsof active service, increasing by two and one-half percent (2½%) for every year of service rendered beyondtwenty (20) years to a maximum on ninety percent (90%) for thirty-six (36) years of active service andover. The retirement benefits of non-uniformed personnel shall be governed by Civil Service/GovernmentService Insurance System Law.

SEC. 19. Separation from Service. – Officer and non-officers who voluntarily resign or otherwisefail to comply with the standards of competence and proficiency of the PCG, shall be separated from theservice under existing laws, rules and regulations. The separation of non-uniformed personnel shall be inaccordance with Civil Service laws, rules and regulations.

SEC. 20. Collection of Revenues. – The PCG shall collect fees, dues, charges and fines relevant tothe exercise of its various functions.

SEC.21. Rules and Regulations. – The Secretary of the DOTC shall issue rules and regulations,determine, fix, and/or prescribe charges, rates, penalties pertinent, as may be necessary, to implement theprovisions of this Act, as well as the provision of acts, decrees and orders related to the implementation ofthe PCG functions.

SEC. 22. PCG Properties and Lighthouse Reservations. – The PCG shall continue to exerciseexclusive ownership, possession, control and supervision over all properties transferred to it by virtue ofExecutive Order No. 475 dated 30 March 1998 and Executive Order No. 477 dated 15 April 1998, suchas inter alia, vessels, watercrafts, firearms, armaments, munitions, communications and electronicequipment, vehicles, buildings, real estate and lighthouse reservations.


SEC. 23. Establishment and Expansion of Coast Guard Bases and Facilities. – In coordinationwith other appropriate government agencies, the PCG shall develop and enhance its capabilities in theperformance of its mandated functions and establish its strategic presence.

SEC. 24. Appropriations. – The Secretary of the DOTC shall immediately prepare the necessaryguidelines to cover the establishment of the PCG as an attached agency to the DOTC, the initial fundingof which shall be charged against the current year’s appropriations of the PCG and, thereafter, in theannual General Appropriations Act.

SEC. 25. Transitory Provisions. – All previous appointments and promotions of PCG uniformedpersonnel made prior to the enactment of this Act shall remain valid and subsisting.

SEC. 26. Separability Clause. – If for any reason, any provision of this Act is declared unconstitutionalor invalid, such parts not affected thereby shall remain in full force and effect.

SEC. 27. Repealing Clause. – All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and regulations and otherissuances or parts thereof which are inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed, amended or modifiedaccordingly.

SEC. 28. Effectivity. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the OfficialGazette or in any two (2) newspapers of general circulations.

Approved,

Approved: Feb 12, 2010

GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO

President of the Philippines

This act which is a consolidation of Senate Bill No. 3389 and House Bill No. 5151 was finallypassed by the Senate and the House of Representatives on December 9, 2009 and December 8, 2009,respectively.

MARILYN B. BARUA-YAPSecretary General

House of Representatives

EMMA LIRIO-REYESSecretary of the Senate


S E N A T E O F T H E P H I L I P P I N E S

Honorable Rodolfo G. Biazon

Honorable Pilar Juliana S. Cayetano

Honorable Miriam Defensor-Santiago

Honorable Richard J. Gordon

Honorable Manuel M. Lapid

Honorable Jamby A. S. Madrigal

Honorable Ramon B. Revilla Jr.

Honorable Manuel A. Roxas II

Honorable Edgardo J. Angara

Honorable Benigno C. Aquino III

Honorable Juan Ponce EnrileSenate President

Honorable Jinggoy E. EstradaSenate President Pro-Tempore

Honorable Juan Miguel F. ZubiriMajority Leader

Honorable Aquilino Q. Pimentel Jr.Minority Leader

THE OFFICERS, MEN AND WOMEN OF THE PHILIPPINE COAST GUARD

WISH TO EXPRESS THEIR WHOLEHEARTED GRATITUDE TO:

HER EXCELLENCY GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYOPRESIDENT, REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES

HON. LEANDRO R. MENDOZASECRETARY, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION AND COMMUNICATIONS

HON. THOMPSON C. LANTIONUNDERSECRETARY FOR MARITIME TRANSPORT, DOTC

MARITIME STAKEHOLDERS

AND

FOR THE ENACTMENT OF REPUBLIC ACT 9993,OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE PHILIPPINE COAST GUARD LAW OF 2009

Honorable Joker P. Arroyo

Honorable Alan Peter S. Cayetano

Honorable Francis G. Escudero

Honorable Gregorio B. Honasan II

Honorable Panfilo M. Lacson

Honorable Loren B. Legarda

Honorable Francis N. Pangilinan

Honorable Antonio F. Trillanes IV

Honorable Manuel B. Villar Jr.

THE 14th CONGRESS


Honorable Bienvenido M. Abante Jr.Manila, 6th District

Honorable Joseph Emilio A. AbayaCavite, 1st District

Honorable Roque R. Ablan Jr.Ilocos Norte, 1st District

Honorable Victor Aguedo E. AgbayaniPangasinan, 2nd District

Honorable Giorgidi B. AggabaoIsabela, 4th District

Honorable Manuel S. AgyaoKalinga, Lone District

H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S

Honorable Prospero C. NogralesSpeaker

Honorable Raul V. del MarDeputy Speaker VISAYAS

Honorable Simeon A. DatumanongDeputy Speaker MINDANAO

Honorable Arnulfo P. FuentebellaDeputy Speaker LUZON

Honorable Eric D. SingsonDeputy Speaker LUZON

Honorable Ma. Amelita C. VillarosaDeputy Speaker WOMEN

Honorable Pablo P. GarciaDeputy Speaker VISAYAS

Honorable Arthur D. Defensor Sr.Majority Leader

Honorable Ronaldo B. ZamoraMinority Leader

Honorable Rodolfo T. Albano IIIIsabela, 1st District

Honorable Proceso J. AlcalaQuezon, 2nd District

Honorable Felix R. Alfelor Jr.Camarines Sur, 4th District

Honorable Thelma Z. AlmarioDavao Oriental, 2nd District

Honorable Antonio C. AlvarezPalawan, 1st District

Honorable Genaro M. Alvarez Jr.Negros Occidental, 6th District


Honorable Edelmiro A. AmanteAgusan del Norte, 2nd District

Honorable Rommel C. AmatongCompostela Valley, 2nd District

Honorable Juan Edgardo M. AngaraAurora, Lone District

Honorable Maria Zenaida B. AngpingManila, 3rd District

Honorable Rodolfo W. AntoninoNueva Ecija, 4th District

Honorable Darlene R. Antonino-CustodioSouth Cotabato, 1st District

Honorable Trinidad ‘Ebbie’ G. ApostolLeyte, 2nd District

Honorable Jose S. Aquino IIAgusan Del Norte, 1st District

Honorable Maria Evita R. AragoLaguna, 3rd District

Honorable Munir M. ArbisonSulu, 2nd District

Honorable Ma. Rachel J. ArenasPangasinan, 3rd District

Honorable George P. ArnaizNegros Oriental, 2nd District

Honorable Diosdado Macapagal-ArroyoCamarines Sur, 1st District

Honorable Ignacio T. ArroyoNegros Occidental, 5th District

Honorable Benjamin R. AsiloManila, 5th District

Honorable Amado S. BagatsingManila, 5th District

Honorable Pangalian M. BalindongLanao Del Sur, 2nd District

Honorable Elpidio F. Barzaga Jr.Cavite, 2nd District

Honorable Franklin P. BautistaDavao Del Sur, 2nd District

Honorable Vicente F. Belmonte Jr.Lanao Del Norte, 1st District

Honorable Rozzano Rufino B. BiazonMuntinlupa City, Lone District

Honorable Al Francis C. BicharaAlbay, 2nd District

Honorable Mar-Len Abigail S. BinayMakati City, 2nd District

Honorable Ferjenel G. BironIloilo, 4th District

Honorable Anna York P. BondocPampanga, 4th District

Honorable Ma. Theresa B. Bonoan-DavidManila, 4th District

Honorable Narciso R. Bravo Jr.Masbate, 1st District

Honorable Elias C. Bulut Jr.Apayao, Lone District

Honorable Belma A. CabilaoZamboanga Sibugay, 1st District

Honorable Marc Douglas C. Cagas IVDavao Del Sur, 1st District

Honorable Mary Mitzi L. CajayonCaloocan, 2nd District

Honorable Roberto C. CajesBohol, 2nd District


Honorable Carmen L. CariLeyte, 5th District

Honorable Fredenil H. CastroCapiz, 2nd District

Honorable Ma. Laarni L. CayetanoTaguig City-Pateros, 1st District

Honorable Arthur F. CelestePangasinan, 1st District

Honorable Antonio H. CerillesZamboanga del Sur, 2nd District

Honorable Edgardo M. ChattoBohol, 1st District

Honorable Erwin L. ChiongbianSarangani, Lone District

Honorable Justin Marc SB. ChipecoLaguna, 2nd District

Honorable Glenn A. ChongBiliran, Lone District

Honorable Solomon R. ChungalaoIfugao, Lone District

Honorable Marina P. ClareteMisamis Occidental, 1st District

Honorable Maria Isabelle G. ClimacoZamboanga City, 1st District

Honorable Eufrocino M. Codilla Sr.Leyte, 4th District

Honorable Mark O. CojuangcoPangasinan, 5th District

Honorable Teodulo M. CoquillaEastern Samar, Lone District

Honorable Vincent “Bingbong” P. CrisologoQuezon City, 1st District

Honorable Junie E. CuaQuirino, Lone District

Honorable Antonio V. CuencoCebu City, 2nd District

Honorable Samuel M. DangwaBenguet, Lone District

Honorable Simeon A. DatumanongMaguindanao, Lone District

Honorable Nelson L. DayanghirangDavao Oriental, 1st District

Honorable Nanette Castelo-DazaQuezon City, 4th District

Honorable Paul R. DazaNorthern Samar, 1st District

Honorable Del R. De GuzmanMarikina City, 2nd District

Honorable Jose C. De Venecia Jr.Pangasinan, 4th District

Honorable Arthur D. Defensor Sr.Iloilo, 3rd District

Honorable Matias V. Defensor Jr.Quezon City, 3rd District

Honorable Raul V. Del MarCebu City, 1st District

Honorable Antonio A Del RosarioCapiz, 1st District

Honorable Carlo Oliver D. Diasnes M.D.Batanes, Lone District

Honorable Antonio M. DiazZambales, 2nd District

Honorable Didagen P. DilangalenShariff Kabunsuan Cotabato City, Lone District


Honorable Abdullah D. DimaporoLanao Del Norte, 2nd District

Honorable Mauricio G. DomoganBaguio, Lone District

Honorable Michael John ‘Jack’ R. DuavitRizal, 1st District

Honorable Henry M. Dueñas Jr.Taguig City, 2nd District

Honorable Faysah M. DumarpaLanao Del Sur, 1st District

Honorable Thomas L. Dumpit Jr.La Union, 2nd District

Honorable Ramon ‘Red’ H. Durano, VICebu, 5th District

Honorable Faustino G. Dy IIIIsabela, 3rd District

Honorable Glenda B. EcleoDinagat Islands, Lone District

Honorable Yevgeny Vincente B. EmanoMisamis Oriental, 2nd District

Honorable Wilfrido Mark M. EnvergaQuezon, 1st District

Honorable Eileen Ermita-BuhainBatangas, 1st District

Honorable Salvador H. Escudero IIISorsogon, 1st District

Honorable Conrado M. Estrella IIIPangasinan, 6th District

Honorable Erico Basilio A. FabianZamboanga City, 2nd District

Honorable Danilo Ramon S. FernandezLaguna, 1st District

Honorable Jeffrey P. FerrerNegros Occidental, 4th District

Honorable Orlando B. FuaSuquijor, Lone District

Honorable Arnulfo P. FuentebellaCamarines Sur, 3rd District

Honorable Florencio C. GaraySurigao Del Sur, 2nd District

Honorable Albert S. GarciaBataan, 2nd District

Honorable Pablo P. GarciaCebu, 2nd District

Honorable Pablo John F. GarciaCebu, 3rd District

Honorable Vincent J. GarciaDavao City, 2nd District

Honorable Janette L. GarinIloilo, 1st District

Honorable Rex GatchalianValenzuela, 1st District

Honorable Angelito C. GatlabayanAntipolo City, 2nd District

Honorable Arnulfo G. FoSultan Kudarat, 2nd District

Honorable Roilo S. GolezParañaque City, 2nd District

Honorable Aurelio D. Gonzales Jr.Pampanga, 3rd District

Honorable Naptali M. Gonzales IIMandaluyong, Lone District

Honorable Raul T. Gonzales Jr.Iloilo City, Lone District


Honorable Teofisto L. Guingona IIIBukidnon, 2nd District

Honorable Eduardo R. GullasCebu, 1st District

Honorable Magtanggol IT. GunigundoValenzuela, 2nd District

Honorable Ann K. HoferZamboanga Sibugay, 2nd District

Honorable Nur G. JaafarTawi-Tawi, Lone District

Honorable Adam Relson L. JalaBohol, 3rd District

Honorable Cesar G. JalosjosZamboanga del Norte, 3rd District

Honorable Cecilia G. Jalosjos-CarreonZamboanga del Norte, 1st District

Honorable Exequiel B. JavierAntique, Lone District

Honorable Yusop H. JikiriSulu, 1st District

Honorable Eduardo Nonato N. JosonNueva Ecija, 1st District

Honorable Antonio T. KhoMasbate, 2nd District

Honorable Rosendo S. LabadlabadZamboanga del Norte, 2nd District

Honorable Jose Carlos V. LacsonNegros Occidental, 3rd District

Honorable Antonio F. Lagdameo Jr.Davao Del Norte, 2nd District

Honorable Edcel C. LagmanAlbay, 1st District

Honorable Jeci A. LapusTarlac, 3rd District

Honorable Carmelo F. LazatinPampanga, 1st District

Honorable Julio A. Ledesma IVNegros Occidental, 1st District

Honorable Reno G. LimAlbay, 3rd District

Honorable Jocelyn Cy-LimkaichongNegros Occidental, 1st District

Honorable Teodoro L. Locsin Jr.Makati City, 1st District

Honorable Jaime C. LopezManila, 2nd District

Honorable Juan Miguel Macapagal-ArroyoPampanga, 2nd District

Honorable Eleandro Jesus F. MadronaRomblon, Lone District

Honorable Maria Milagros H. MagsaysayZambales, 1st District

Honorable Oscar G. MalapitanKaloocan, 1st District

Honorable Manuel N MambaCagayan, 3rd District

Honorable Hermilando I. MandanasBatangas, 2nd District

Honorable Datu Pax S. MangudadatuSultan Kudarat, 1st District

Honorable Alfredo D. Marañon IIINegros Occidental, 2nd District

Honorable Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.Ilocos Norte, 2nd District


Honorable Francisco T. MatugasSurigao del Norte, 2nd District

Honorable Mark Llandro L. MendozaBatangas, 4th District

Honorable Roger G. MercadoSouthern Leyte, Lone District

Honorable Florencio T. MirafloresAklan, Lone District

Honorable Abraham Kahlil B. MitraPalawan, 2nd District

Honorable Joaquin Carlos Rahman A. NavaGuimaras, Lone District

Honorable Reylina G. NicolasBulacan 4th District

Honorable Prospero C. NogralesDavao City, 1st District

Honorable Arrel R. OlañoDavao Del Norte, 1st District

Honorable Emil L. OngNorthern Samar, 2nd District

Honorable Victor F. OrtegaLa Union, 1st District

Honorable Carlos M. PadillaNueva Viscaya, Lone District

Honorable Pedro M. PanchoBulacan, 2nd District

Honorable Candido P. Pancrudo Jr.Bukidnon, 1st District

Honorable Philip A. PichaySurigao del Sur, 1st District

Honorable Arthur Y. Pingoy Jr.South Cotabato, 2nd District

Honorable Bernardo F. Piñol Jr.North Cotabato, 2nd District

Honorable Rodolfo G. PlazaAgusan Del Sur, Lone District

Honorable Salvacion S. Ponce-EnrileCagayan, 1st District

Honorable Monica Prieto-TeodoroTarlac, 1st District

Honorable Monico O. PuentevellaBacolod City, Lone District

Honorable Roberto V. PunoAntipolo City, 1st District

Honorable Herminia M. RamiroMisamis Occidental, 2nd District

Honorable Jesus Crispin C RemullaCavite, 3rd District

Honorable Carmencita O. ReyesMarinduque, Lone District

Honorable Victoria H. ReyesBatangas, 3rd District

Honorable Arturo B. RobesSan Jose del Monte, Lone District

Honorable Rufus B. RodriguezCagayan de Oro, 2nd District

Honorable Adelina Rodriguez-ZaldarriagaRizal, 2nd District

Honorable Herminia B. RomanBataan, 1st District

Honorable Guillermo A. Romarate Jr.Surigao del Norte, 2nd District

Honorable Ferdinand Martin G. RomualdezLeyte, 1st District


Honorable Pedro P RomualdoCamiguin, Lone District

Honorable Roman T RomuloPasig City, Lone District

Honorable Jose Antonio F RoxasPasay City, Lone District

Honorable Benhur L SalimbangonCebu, 4th District

Honorable Andres D Salvacion Jr.Leyte, 3rd District

Honorable Edgar S San LuisLaguna, 4th District

Honorable Josephine ‘Jaye’ Lacson-NoelMalabon-Navotas City, Lone District

Honorable Joseph A SantiagoCatanduanes, Lone District

Honorable Rizalina L Seachon-LaneteMasbate, 3rd District

Honorable Cecilia M Seares-LunaAbra, Lone District

Honorable Lorna C SilverioBulacan, 3rd District

Honorable Eric D SingsonIlocos Sur, 2nd District

Honorable Ronald V SingsonIlocos Sur, 1st District

Honorable Jose G SolisSorsogon, 2nd District

Honorable Nerissa Corazon Soon-RuizCebu, 6th District

Honorable Danilo E SuarezQuezon, 3rd District

Honorable Mary Ann L SusanoQuezon City, 2nd District

Honorable Ma. Victoria R Sy-AlvaradoBulacan, 1st District

Honorable Judy J SyjucoIloilo, 2nd District

Honorable Emmylou ‘Lala’ Taliño-MendozaProvince of Cotabato, 1st District

Honorable Sharee Ann T TanWestern Samar, 2nd District

Honorable Lorenzo R Tañada IIIQuezon, 4th District

Honorable Marcelino R TeodoroMarikina City, 1st District

Honorable Pryde Henry A TevesNegros Oriental, 3rd District

Honorable Niel C Tupas Jr.Iloilo, 5th District

Honorable Alfonso V Umali Jr.Oriental Mindoro, 2nd District

Honorable Czarina D UmaliNueva Ecija, 3rd District

Honorable Isidro T UngabDavao City, 3rd District

Honorable Edwin C UyIsabela, 2nd District

Honorable Reynaldo S UyWestern Samar, 1st District

Honorable Rolando A UyCagayan De Oro, 1st District

Honorable Rodolfo G ValenciaOriental Mindoro, 1st District


Honorable Florencio L VargasCagayan, 2nd District

Honorable Luis R VillafuerteCamarines Sur, 2nd District

Honorable Cynthia A VillarLas Piñas City, Lone District

Honorable Ma. Amelita C VillarosaOccidental Mindoro, Lone District

Honorable Liwayway P Vinzons-ChatoCamarines Norte, Lone District

Honorable Joseph Gilbert F ViolagoNueva Ecija, 2nd District

Honorable Jose V YapTarlac, 2nd District

Honorable Victor J YuZamboanga del Sur, 1st District

Honorable Manuel ‘Way Kurat’ E ZamoraSan Juan, Lone District

Honorable Ronaldo B ZamoraSan Juan, Lone District

Honorable Eduardo C ZialcitaParañaque, 1st District

Honorable Jose Ma. F Zubiri IIIBukidnon, 3rd District

PARTY LIST REPRESENTATIVES

Honorable Vigor Ma. D MendozaI-UTAK

Honorable Mariano U Piamonte Jr.ATEACHER

Honorable Ulpiano P Sarmiento IIATEACHER

Honorable Leonardo Q MontemayorABA-AKO

Honorable Jonathan A Dela CruzABAKADA-GURO

Honorable Robert Raymundo M EstrellaABONO

Honorable Francisco Emmanuel R OrtegaABONO

Honorable Catalina G Leonen-PizarroABS

Honorable Nicanor M BrionesAGAP

Honorable Ceasar A CobradorAGAP

Honorable Ana Theresia N Hontiveros-BaraquelAKBAYAN

Honorable Walden F BelloAKBAYAN

Honorable Rodante D MarcoletaALAGAD

Honorable Diogenes S OsabelALAGAD

Honorable Neil Benedict A MontejoAN WARAY

Honorable Florencio G NoelAN WARAY

Honorable Mujiv S HatamanANAK MINDANAO

Honorable Ariel C HernandezANAK MINDANAO

Honorable Pastor M Alcover Jr.ANAD

Honorable Joel B MaglunsodANAKPAWIS


Honorable Rafael V MarianoANAKPAWIS

Honorable Ma. Lourdes T ArroyoANG KASANGGA

Honorable Ernest C PabloAPEC

Honorable Edgar L ValdezAPEC

Honorable Oscar D FranciscoARC

Honorable Narciso D Santiago IIIARC

Honorable Daryl Grace J AbayonAT

Honorable Salvador B BritanicoBANAT

Honorable Jovito S Palparan Jr.BANTAY

Honorable Teodoro A CasiñoBAYAN MUNA

Honorable Neri J ColmenaresBAYAN MUNA

Honorable Saturnino C OcampoBAYAN MUNA

Honorable Ma Carissa O CoscolluelaBUHAY

Honorable Irwin C TiengBUHAY

Honorable Rene M VelardeBUHAY

Honorable Leonila V ChavezBUTIL

Honorable Agapito H GuanlaoBUTIL

Honorable Cinchona Cruz-GonzalesCIBAC

Honorable Emmanuel Joel J VillanuevaCIBAC

Honorable Jose R Ping-ayCOOP-NATCCO

Honorable Cresente C PaezCOOP-NATCCO

Honorable Luzviminda C IlaganGABRIELA

Honorable Liza L MazaGABRIELA

Honorable Raymond V PalatinoKABATAAN

Honorable Ranulfo P CanonigoKAKUSA

Honorable Godofredo V ArquizaSenior Citizens

Honorable Raymond DC MendozaTUCP

Honorable Teodoro LimUNI-MAD

Honorable Estrella DL SantosVFP

Honorable Carol Jayne B LopezYACAP

Honorable Haron D OmarYACAP


Special Acknowledgment:

Bicameral Conference Committee Members

SENATE

Honorable Rodolfo G. Biazon(Chairman)

Honorable Richard J. Gordon

Honorable Gregorio B. Honasan II

Honorable Pia S. Cayetano

Honorable Joker P. Arroyo

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Honorable Monico O. Puentevella(Chairman)

Honorable Eleandro Jesus F. Madrona

Honorable Edcel C. Lagman

Honorable Rozzano Rufino B. Biazon

Honorable Nur G. Jaafar

Honorable Abraham Kahlil B. Mitra

Honorable Mark Llandro L. Mendoza

Honorable Salvador H. Escudero III

Honorable Roilo S. Golez


THE PCG LAW OF 2009COMMODORE GILBERT S RUERAS PCG

Director, Liaison Office for Legislative Affairs (LOLA)

On 17 October 1901, Philippine Commission Act 266 created the Bureau of Coast Guardand Transportation (BCGT) under the Department of Commerce and Police which was broughtabout by the need to address issues of national interests such as the delays in the mail deliverydue to lack of transportation facilities, construction and operation of the agency’s vessel,construction, operation and maintenance of lighthouses and the prevention of smuggling.

With barely two years in existence, the BCGT established 48 lighthouses, five unlightedbeacons, range marks and 26 buoys. The BCGT also developed its capabilities by acquiring 15Coast Guard cutters, 2 light tenders, 3 sea-going launches and 5 bay and river launches.

On 29 May 1903, the collector of Customs commissioned the master and watch officers ofBCGT vessels to conduct searches and seizures in the same manner as duly designated customsofficer.

On 23 March 1905, the BCGT was provided with the Superintendent of Inter IslandTransportation who was responsible for checking that a steamer vessel construction is inaccordance with the required specifications to provide service to the government and public.

By August 1905, BCGT vessels’ use were mostly for peace and other missions such asassisting the constabulary against the Pulajanes of Samar and guerillas.

On 9 December 1913, Commission Act 2308 abolished the Bureau and the country wentwithout a Coast Guard until 1967.

On August 8 1967, President Marcos signed Republic Act 5173 known as the “Coast GuardLaw of 1967”. The Act defines the three -fold objectives of the Coast Guard: the promotion ofsafety of life at sea, the enforcement of maritime laws and regulations, and the development ofaids to marine navigation and rescue facilities. On 10 October 1967, pursuant to RA 5173, thePhilippine Coast Guard was finally activated. The PCG was initially placed under the PhilippineNavy with the intent of separating at a later date.

PD 600 amended RA 5173 and PD 602 established the National Operations Center for OilPollution. In 1986 Executive Orders 125 and 125-A transferred to MARINA some regulatoryfunctions of the PCG. However MARINA did not immediately take over the functions in view of


its limited personnel and material assets. It took seven more years before MARINA fully assumedthe functions mandated by EO 125 and125-A.

Even while the PCG remained with the Philippine Navy thirty (30) years after the enactmentof RA 5173 contrary to the intent of the lawmakers to have it separated as soon as organized,it continued to perform functions affecting the civilian populace particularly the riding public.While its organization’s military capability in terms of organization and vigilant monitoring on24/7 basis in most parts of the archipelago proved advantageous to these functions, its militarycharacter has prevented the PCG from developing into a full-blown maritime safety agency.More specifically, grants and aids from more developed countries like Japan prevented the PCGfrom enhancing its equipage mainly because of the “defense” connotation while under theumbrella of the Department of National Defense.

As early as 1991, a Resolution of the Shipping and Ports Advisory Council (SPAC) calledfor the transfer of the PCG from the Philippine Navy to a more appropriate location in thebureaucracy that could enable the PCG to perform numerous functions whether mandated bylaw or deputized by another agency which are not military in nature.

The de facto character of the current PCG is that it performs law enforcement based oncivilian regulations utilizing personnel that are organized and managed in the military manner.

This situation as defined by Senator Biazon as a “confused state” is in fact the verysolution to the ailing maritime safety issue which requires the need for a round-the-clock andmulti-mission sea-going government agency with an in-depth understanding of the intricaciesof commercial shipping that can regulate erring seamen and identify vessel safety violations.

MARINA took over the vessel regulatory function on 22 November 1994 with amemorandum of understanding as an implementing instrument.

President Fidel V. Ramos on 30 March 1998 invoked the presidential authority to reorganizegovernment agencies and transferred the PCG from DND to the Office of the President by virtueof EO 475.

On 15 April 1999, the PCG was transferred from the Office of the President to Departmentof Transportation and Communications (DOTC) by virtue of EO 477.

PCG underwent a lot of improvements in terms of organization, equipment, personnel andtraining. Relocated outside the Defense department, the PCG received numerous grants,donations and soft loans that resulted to vessel acquisitions and eventually upgraded itscapabilities.


On May 3, 2004, RA 9295 or the Domestic Shipping Act provided for the legal transfer ofvessel regulatory functions to MARINA.

With the bulk of the regulatory functions transferred to MARINA, the PCG meanwhiledeveloped its capabilities to address the equally pressing problems on maritime security, lawenforcement, and environmental protection. The PCG also was faced with addressing traditionalchallenges such as the 22 typhoons that visit the country on the average annually and the non-traditional challenges such as piracy, terrorism, human trafficking, money-laundering and drug-smuggling.

The most recent typhoons that brought widespread devastation in the country due tofloods provided the PCG with the opportunity to show its relevance to support national welfareparticularly in times of disasters and extreme conditions.

With Republic Act No. 9993 signed by the President on February 12, 2010, the PCG hasfinally legitimized its presence as a bureau, through a legal instrument, under program andpolicy coordination with the DOTC as an attached agency . This provides the PCG with a higherdegree of autonomy with which to manage its personnel, resources and activities.

More importantly, RA 9993 finally puts to rest the issue on authority, responsibility, capabilityand accountability on specific issues on vessel safety which has cast doubts and even fearamong the users of maritime transport due to recent tragic accidents. The PCG can nowunilaterally, with the effect of the law, assert and exercise what it has been doing historically inthe past to promote and ensure safety of life and property at sea and once again regain theconfidence of the riding public.

The President’s immediate signing of the law manifests the renewed trust and confidencebestowed upon the PCG that is guided by professionalism, preparedness, presence andpartnership.

Under the new law, the PCG seeks to implement the following renewed powers andfunctions:

A. The PCG is empowered to enforce regulations on Philippine-registered vessels engagedin the domestic trade to ensure compliance to safety standards in accordance with nationallaws as prescribed by MARINA policies within the maritime jurisdiction of the Philippines.

B. The PCG is empowered to enforce regulations on Philippine-registered vessels engagedin the international trade in accordance with all relevant maritime international conventions


including but not limited to SOLAS and MARPOL while within the maritime jurisdiction ofthe Philippines.

C. The PCG continues to inspect foreign-registered vessels calling on any port of thePhilippines for control verification and to ensure compliance to all safety and environmentalstandards set forth by international conventions through Port State Control under theauspices of the Asia-Pacific Memorandum Of Understanding on Port State Control

D. The PCG is mandated to enforce safety standards, rules and regulations through theconduct of routine, periodic and random inspections on vessels anytime from the timethe keel is laid for newly-constructed vessels up to the time the vessel is put into operation.

E. The PCG is mandated to enforce safety standards, rules and regulations through theconduct of routine, periodic and random inspections upon delivery of imported vesselswhether new or used up to the time the vessel is put into operation.

F. The PCG is mandated to enforce safety standards, rules and regulations through theconduct of inspections of vessels altered from its original design.

G. The PCG is mandated to prevent a vessel which does not comply with safety standardsfrom leaving port.

H. The PCG is mandated to stop a vessel from pursuing its voyage if found through inspectionthat it does not comply with safety standards.

I. The PCG is empowered to detain a vessel continuously until such time that it complieswith the safety standards and that detainable deficiencies are rectified.

J. The PCG is required to set emergency readiness standards and conduct routine, periodicand random physical evaluation of all shipboard evolutions both underway and while inport.

K. The PCG is mandated to formulate, promulgate upon approval of SOTC, and enforcerules, regulations, SOP’s , memorandum circulars and other tertiary legislation to promotesafety of lives and properties at sea on all maritime-related activities including boatraces, regattas, life guarding, scuba diving, jet ski operations and other sea- bornerecreational activities.

L. The PCG is required to coordinate with PPA Manila, PHIVIDEC in Cagayan de Oro andBatangas Port for the joint operations of Vessel Traffic Management Systems (VTMS) in


respective areas including the establishment of traffic separation schemes, buoyagesystems and two-way communications system accessible by all vessels.

M. The PCG is empowered to coordinate with PPA the establishment and joint operation ofVTMS on the other major ports of the country or anywhere else where restricted passageof vessels are observed.

N. The PCG is required to maintain as far as practicable the continuous and uninterruptedoperation of PCG aids to navigation and to coordinate with private entities the properoperation of private aids to navigation.

O. The PCG is mandated to coordinate with shipping companies for effective two-way maritimecommunications systems between vessels and PCG installations capable and suitable foruse during the normal shipping operations and during emergencies.

P. The PCG is required to develop, establish, maintain and operate 24/7 rescue facilities onall PCG districts, stations, and detachments capable to respond to distress calls withinthe maritime jurisdiction of the country and on limited capacity to deploy rescue assetsbeyond territorial limits.

Q. The PCG is mandated to coordinate for joint use of facilities with the AFP, PNP, LGU’s andother entities including coordinating systems and procedures in the conduct of searchand rescue and subsequent attendant activities to rescued persons.

R. The PCG is mandated to establish sea lanes to aid international vessels in traversingPhilippine archipelagic waters under the doctrine of innocent passage.

S. The PCG is mandated to remove, destroy or tow to port sunken vessels or floatinghazards to navigation.

T. To remove or destroy illegal fish traps along sea lanes.

U. To remove, destroy or tow to port vessels that pose as hazards to navigation.

V. To issue permits for salvage of vessels only to accredited salvors.

W. To supervise marine salvage operations through accredited salvors.

X. To provide guidelines on the proper conduct of salvage operations, the required equipmentand requirements prior accreditation.


Y. To search for vessels and persons in distress and subsequently render necessary andappropriate aid.

Z. To minimize response time.

AA. To develop a system whereby the services of the AFP, PNP and other government unitsmay assist the PCG during search and rescue incidents.

BB. To conduct immediately maritime casualty investigation on all maritime accidents involvingdeath, casualties and damage to properties to determine proximate causes so that thesame thing will not happen again in the future.

CC. BMI to inquire into all maritime accidents to establish probable cause and liabilities toparties, if any.

DD. To assist and coordinate with other government agencies to enforce and maintain securitywithin the maritime jurisdiction.

EE. To assist and coordinate with other government agencies and/or entities to prevent andsuppress terrorism at sea.

FF. To assist and coordinate with other government agencies in the performance of its lawenforcement functions.

GG. To assist BFAR in the enforcement of fishery laws particularly on poaching and fishingwith the use of dynamite and cyanide.

HH. To jointly operate BFAR MCS vessels.

II. To assist the BID monitoring and apprehending illegal entrants along the coastal watersparticularly vicinity of Taiwan, Malaysia and Indonesia borders.

JJ. To assist the BUCUS in gathering information, prevention and apprehension of any formof smuggling through the coastal waters.

KK. To assist the DENR in the apprehension of illegal transport of illegally-cut forest products.

LL. To assist the PNP in preventing the movement of illegal firearms and the unescortedtransport of explosives.

MM.To assist the PDEA in monitoring and apprehending drug dealers and discover druglaboratories.


NN. To assist the PNP to pursue and curtail transnational crimes.

OO. To board and inspect all merchant ships and watercrafts in the performance of all PCGprimary and deputized functions.

PP. To promulgate and subsequently enforce rules and regulations to protect the marineenvironment and resources from all off shore sources of pollution.

QQ. To develop oil spill response, containment and recovery capabilities against ship-basedpollution.

RR. To accommodate requests for assistance of other government agencies in the performanceof their functions.

SS. To organize, train and supervise the PCG Auxiliary for the purpose of assisting the PCG incarrying out its mandated functions.

This very recent development puts forth into proper perspective the role of thePCG as a law enforcement agency that can address pressing concerns affecting thecountry’s national humanitarian interests. Non-traditional challenges affecting the generalwelfare of the people such as terrorism, drug-trafficking, human smuggling, unauthorizeduse of firearms and explosives, and other trans-national crimes will be acted upon orneutralized with more intensity and vigilance through cooperative undertakings or initiativeswith lead agencies.

This complements the increasing acceptability of the PCG as one of the numerouscoast guard agencies capable of carrying out law enforcement and diplomatic means ofresolving regional issues without resorting to hostilities between and among neighboringcountries.

Internationally recognized as the Philippine government agency capable ofrepresenting the country in international fora to tackle sensitive issues on maritime security,piracy, terrorism and other transnational crimes, the PCG has become a model forcomparison on best practices among ASEAN countries.

The newly enacted law has legally elevated the PCG to bureau level at par withthe AFP and PNP. It now becomes clear and undisputed that the PCG is the third distinct,uniformed and armed service of the Philippines that the country can rely on in times ofdisasters and enforce laws with the firmness of a military organization but resilient oradaptive to pressures or contemporaneous developments in the country’s vast maritimearea surrounding the civilian environment where the PCG operates.

ADMIRAL WILFREDO D TAMAYO PCGCommandant

Personal Staff

CDR EUSTACIO NIMROD P ENRIQUEZ PCGFlag Secretary

LTJG GARRY D LAYNESA PCGFlag Lieutenant, CPCG

LTJG MARLON S AVILES PCGFlag Lieutenant, VCO

ENS NOEMIE G CAYABYAB PCGFlag Lieutenant, CPCG

SCPO TOMASITO S SALAGUBANG PCGCommand Master Chief

Special Staff

CDR DANILO T ABILA PCGDirector, CG Command Center

CDR EDGAR L YBAÑEZ PCGCG Special Services Officer

CDR TITO ALVIN G ANDAL PCGCG Internal Auditor

LCDR ROMMEL A SUPANGAN PCGSecretary, Coast Guard Staff

LCDR ARMANDO M BALILO PCGPublic Information Officer

LT MARIFEM U ISAAC PCGCoast Guard Adjutant

Central Staff

CAPT ANGELITO G GIL PCG (GSC)DCS for Human Resource

Management, CG-1

CDR TEOTIMO R BORJA PCGDCS for Intelligence, Security and

Law Enforcement, CG-2

CAPT NOLI S CASIANO PCG (GSC)DCS for Operations, CG-3

CDR RAMON S LOPEZ PCGDCS for Logistics, CG-4

CDR EUSTACIO NIMROD P ENRIQUEZ PCGDCS for Plans, Programs andInternational Affairs, CG-5

CDR ROBERT M PATRIMONIO PCGDCS for Comptrollership, CG-6

CAPT JOSE WILLIAM U ISAGA PCGDCS for Community Relations

Services, CG-7

CDR ALLAN VICTOR T DELA VEGA PCGDCS for Maritime Safety

Services, CG-8

CAPT LYNDON F LATORRE PCGDCS for Marine Environmental

Protection, CG-9

CAPT JOSELITO F DELA CRUZ PCGDCS for Ships and Aircraft

Engineering, CG-10

CAPT DANILO G ENOPIA PCG (DSC)DCS for Maritime Weapons,

Communications, Electronics andInformation System, CG-11

CAPT LEOVIGILDO G PANOPIO PCGDCS for Education and Training,

CG-12

VADM RAMON C LIWAG PCGVice Commandant for Operations

COMMO ENRICO EFREN A EVANGELISTA PCGChief of Coast Guard Staff

RADM EDMUND C TAN PCGVice Commandant for Administration

Major Support Commands

A/RADM EDMUND C TAN PCGCommander, CG Fleet

COMMO DANILO CORPUZ PCGCommander, Maritime SafetyServices Command (MSSC)

COMMO GILBERT S RUERAS PCGCommander, CG Education and

Training Command (CGETC)

COMMO ROLANDO R RICAFRENTE PCGCommander, CG Weapons,

Communications, Electronicsand Information Systems Service

(CGWCEISS)

COMMO LUIS M TUASON JR PCGA/Commander, Marine Environmental

Protection Command (MEPCOM)

Operational Commands

COMMO LUIS M TUASON JR PCG Commander, CGD National Capital

Region - Central Luzon

COMMO ROLANDO M DIZON PCGCommander, CGD Central Eastern

Visayas

COMMO RODOLFO D ISORENA PCGCommander, CGD South Western

Mindanao

COMMO JOEL S GARCIA PCGCommander, CGD Palawan

COMMO CECIL R CHEN PCGCommander, CGD Southern

Tagalog

COMMO WILLIAM M MELAD PCGCommander, CGD Western Visayas

COMMO ATHELO L YBAÑEZ PCGCommander, CGD Northern Luzon

COMMO LINO H DABI PCGCommander, CGD South Eastern

Mindanao

COMMO ELSON E HERMOGINO PCGCommander, CGD Bicol

COMMO EDUARDO B GONGONA PCGCommander, CGD Northern Mindanao

Special Units

COMMO AARON T RECONQUISTA PCGDirector, DOTC-PCG PMO Commander, CG Air Group

CAPT GEORGE V URSABIA JR PCGCommander, CG Ready Force

CAPT ALFREDO A SANTOS JR PCGCommander, Special Operations Group

CAPT IRENEO P ENDOZO PCG (GSC)Commander, Headquarters

Support Group

CDR JOVEN L FABUL PCGCommander, CG Procurement

Service

CDR ALLEN J DALANGIN PCGCommander, CG K-9 Unit

LCDR ROMEO S LIWANAG PCGActing Commander, CG Finance

Center

LTJG LAUREL PAUL N MARIANO JR PCGOIC, Coast Guard Infrastructure

Development Service

CDR TEOTIMO R BORJA PCGCommander, CG Intelligence Force

Technical Support Units

CDR EDMUND D DISIERTO PCGCommander, CG Chaplain Service

CDR RAMON B REBLORA PCGCommander, CG Legal Service

LCDR RODOLFO S INGEL PCGCommander, CG Dental Service

CDR ALEXIS J CALDERON PCGCommander, CG Medical Service

CAPT DANILO M UBALDO PCGA/Commander, CG Internal Affairs

Service (CGIAS)


PCG AT WORK:MARITIME SEARCH AND RESCUE

The Philippine Coast Guard maintains itspresence and operational readiness throughshore-based units and deployable assetssuch as ships, small crafts, aircrafts, andspecial units or teams for effective responseto maritime incidents, disasters, threats, andhazards.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS FOR 2001-2009

Maritime Search and Rescue

Maritime Incidents Monitored/Reported 3,639Number of SAR Missions 3,923Number of Lives Saved 29,420Number of Persons Provided Assistance 279,446Number of Dead Bodies Recovered 1,892Number of Vessels Provided Assistance 5,740

Maritime Casualty Investigation

Maritime Accidents Investigated 39Marine Protests Evaluated 613


The PCG Specialized Medical AssistanceResponse Team (SMART) was organizedand placed under the DRG, whosemembers are mostly medicalpractitioners trained to save and rescuepersons in distress.

Honorable Secretary Leandro R Mendoza with Undersecretary for Maritime Transport Thompson C Lantion duringtheir visit to the PCG to conduct operational readiness evaluation and inspection of the Deployable ResponseGroup (DRG) personnel and of PCG vessels, aircraft and other peculiar equipment.

Members of Deployable Response Group (DRG) based on new PCG operational doctrine can be deployed at amoment’s notice in times of maritime emergencies. In the case of Typhoons “Ondoy and Pepeng”, the PCG hasdeployed a total of 70 rescue-relief teams using rigid-hull, inflatable boats, rubber boats and aircrafts to provideassistance in severely flooded areas in Metro Manila, Pangasinan and Northern Luzon.

PCG stands behind a commitment of serviceexcellence, aimed at capacity building measuresinvolving trained and multi-skilled personnel andstate-of-the-art disaster response equipment,technology-driven laboratory apparatus and well-equipped vessels.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS FOR 2001-2009Maritime SafetyMandatory Pre-departure Inspections 3,364,623 vesselsPort State Control Inspections 10,783 vesselsMaster’s Oath of Safe Departure received 4,579,420 vesselsPermit to Carry Dangerous Goods issued 148,319 permitsSOLAS Inspections conducted 138,567 vessels

Navigational SafetyLighthouses Maintained and Operated 563Navigational Buoys Maintained and Serviced 33Ships Routeing/Traffic Separation Scheme Supervised 25Salvage Operations Permitted and Supervised 136Maritime Safety Information and NOTAM Published 2,209

The PCG as mandated by PD 600 and PD 601, as amended byPD 979, is the sole agency responsible for marine oil pollutionprevention, mitigation and control through the conduct of marinepollution monitoring and control operations, enhancement ofPCG capability in oil spill response operations, and enforcementof all applicable marine environmental laws and regulations.

The promulgation of the National Oil Spill Contingency Planwhich provides guidelines for timely and coordinatedresponse mechanism against oil spill incidents waslikewise initiated by the Philippine Coast Guard.


Marine Pollution Monitoring/ResponseOil/Chemical Spill Incidents Monitored 147Oil Spill Incidents Responded 121Chemical Spill Incidents Responded 26Coal Spill Incident Responded 1

MEP ActivitiesBunkering Supervised 30,069Deck Washing Supervised 9,977Tank Cleaning 292Vessel Inspections 49,852Length of Coastline Inspected (kms) 38,464

Coastal River Clean-UpCoastal / River Clean-up 2,801Garbage Collected (tons) 16,462Information Drive Conducted 2,959

Preventive measures top the PCG’s efforts inmaritime security through the deployment andemployment of Sea Marshals, boarding teams,SOG and K-9 personnel, and Coast Guard Anti-Terrorist Unit. The PCG performs maritimesurveillance and security operations in ports,harbors and coastal waters surrounding ourislands and exercise control of maritimecommunications, and strategic port facilities.

Creation of Coast Guard Anti-Terrorist Unit as Counter Terrorist Focused Group, trainedto counter and neutralize possible disruption of peace and order in our maritime environsin support of the over-all efforts of the government.


Maritime Surveillance and Security OperationsPort/Harbor Security Operations Conducted 67,577Number of Sea Marshal Teams Deployed 31,169

Seaborne PatrolsNumber of Missions 51,372Total Steaming Time 119,603Total Miles Covered 291,083

As the country’s premier maritimelaw enforcement agency, thePhilippine Coast Guard continuesto enhance its presence,preparedness, and partnershipwith other agencies to deter, detectand neutralize illegal activities.

And because of the PCG’s inherent presence at sea and along our shores, severalgovernment agencies depend on the PCG to assist them in the enforcement of lawsagainst smuggling, human trafficking, illegal fishing, poaching, drug trafficking,gunrunning, and piracy, among others.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS FOR2001-2009

Apprehensions

Transport of Illegal Firearms/ Explosives 221Illegal Fishing/Transport of Banned Marine Products 1,119Illegal Intrusion and Poaching Activities 38Drug Trafficking/Interdiction 113Human Trafficking 20


PCG INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT

To be able to perform the PCG mandated tasks, the necessary operational support systems have to beenhanced and developed. Significant facility rehabilitation and infrastructure developments have takenplace on the10-hectare Coast Guard Base Taguig which houses the antennae farm, the Coast GuardEducation and Training Facility, K-9 Unit Headquarters, Coast Guard IT Laboratory and Library, and othersupport facilities.

The development of PCG Command Center paves the way for effective monitoring of maritime activitiesand coordinates Coast Guard operations/services on 24/7 basis. The function of PCG Command Center isreplicated in the 10 Coast Guard Districts and 55 Stations nationwide.


The Coast Guard Training Facility is composed of 4 sizable barracks, mess hall, classrooms, and the newCoast Guard Library and Computer Laboratory.

The K-9 buildings and kennels andtraining/breeding program are underthe PCG self-reliance program.

Coast Guard Searchand Rescue (SAR)Base RomblonThis base will rise on a 3.2-hectare lot donated by theProvince of Romblon. Otherfacilities such as SAR trainingschool, medical facility, VesselTraffic Management System(VTMS), SOG Detachment,Berthing Facility for SARvessels and hangar forhelicopters are included in theplan.


The ground breaking ceremony on the 12-hectare PCG-GMA Support Base Mactan was held last June 18, 2009 inMactan, Cebu with the Undersecretary for Maritime Transport USEC Thompson C Lantion and Coast GuardCommandant, Admiral Wilfredo D Tamayo, which aims to promote maritime safety and security in the Visayas region.

The PCG is also working on the issuanceof the Presidential Proclamation for theallocation of a 20-hectare lot within theLaguindingan Airport complex to bedeveloped into PCG Support Base NorthernMindanao. PCG support bases are beingdeveloped to strategically position vitalPCG assets in choke points throughout thecountry to improve the response timeduring maritime incidents, and supportextended PCG operations.

MARITIME COMMUNICATIONS AND VESSEL MOVEMENTMONITORING

Japanese Ambassador Katsuo Matsura turning over to the PCG the Phase 1 of the PCG CommunicationsEnhancement for Maritime Safety and Security Project to Honorable Secretary Leandro R Mendoza.


Signing of a Memorandum of Agreement(MOA) between Philippine VeteransDevelopment Industrial Corp (PHIVIDEC)and Philippine Coast Guard led byAdmiral Wilfredo D Tamayo withUndersecretary for Maritime TransportGen. Thompson C. Lantion. Under theMOA, PCG has assumed theresponsibility to operate the VesselTraffic Management System (VTMS)facility and its equipment.

HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT AND CAPACITY BUILDING

A Technical Working Group has been created for the establishment of PCG Academy. In the mean time, a crosstraining program for 25 PCG cadets for BS Marine Transportation, and another 25 cadets for BS Marine Engineeringwill be initiated at the PMMA starting this school year.

Personnel recruitment and training programs arebeing aggresively personnel by the PCG. As of thisdate, the PCG recruited and trained 270 officers and2,731 enlistedmen under the leadership and fullsupport given by the Honorable Secretary LeandroR Mendoza. The PCG envisions to grow into 25,000strong multi-skilled Coast Guardsmen.


Gender and Development Program is also incorporated in the PCG recruitment and personnel careerdevelopment program. The PCG makes sure that female officers and enlistedwomen are given equalopportunities in assignments afloat and ashore.

PCG ASSETS:VESSELS56- meter SAR Vessels 435- meter SAR Vessels 430-meter BFAR-PCG MCS Vessels 10Buoy/ Lighthouse Tenders 427-meter Ocean Tug 1

Patrol Gun Boat 1Patrol Craft Fast (PCFs) 7

AIRCRAFTSFixed-Wing 3Rotary-Wing 2

coast guard law 2009

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