QuestionsQuestions (EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 57)
EO No. 57 establishes a National Coast Watch System (NCWS) as the central inter-agency mechanism for a coordinated and coherent approach on maritime issues and maritime security operations to enhance governance in the country’s maritime domain.
The Council is chaired by the Executive Secretary and includes as members the Secretaries of: Transportation and Communications; National Defense; Foreign Affairs; Interior and Local Government; Justice; Energy; Finance; Environment and Natural Resources; and Agriculture.
It shall meet at least twice every year, and at such other times as the Chairperson may deem necessary or appropriate.
Among others, the Council provides strategic direction and policy guidelines for maritime security operations and cooperation; conducts periodic review and reports to the President and NSC; recommends policies and procedures; harmonizes capability plans and funding; coordinates inter-agency roles; convenes/dissolves committees; exercises overall jurisdiction and direction over policy formulation and coordination; enlists agencies for support; and promulgates implementing rules.
The Secretariat provides technical and administrative support to the Council, including consultative research and administrative services, assistance in proposing/reviewing issuances, support to inter-agency committees/working groups, and other tasks directed by the Council.
The Secretariat is headed by an Executive Director appointed by the Chairperson, upon the recommendation of the Council.
In accordance with the Council’s strategic direction and policy guidance, the Center implements and coordinates maritime security operations, including maritime surveillance/response coordination, information consolidation and dissemination, and development of a common operating picture.
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) shall establish the Center in and head it.
When so authorized by the Council, the Center may coordinate cross-border and multinational maritime security cooperation; additionally, it may initiate such cooperation in coordination with the Department of Foreign Affairs, when authorized by the Council.
They are: Philippine Navy; Philippine Coast Guard; Philippine National Police Maritime Group; National Prosecution Service of the DOJ; Bureau of Customs; Bureau of Immigration; National Bureau of Investigation; Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources; and Philippine Center on Transnational Crime.
No. EO No. 57 contains a Non-Diminution clause: nothing in the EO shall diminish the mandates, functions, and responsibilities of the support agencies, except as provided for in the abolition of the CMOA under Section 7.
Section 7 abolishes the Commission on Maritime and Ocean Affairs (CMOA) created under EO No. 612 (2007), as amended. Its mandate and functions are transferred to and performed by the Council.
The initial funding requirement is Php 20,000,000.00 sourced from the Special Account in the General Fund (SAGF) of the Department of Energy under Fund 151, to be released by DBM subject to requirements such as the Bureau of Treasury certification on availability of deposited collections and compliance with existing laws and usual budgetary/accounting rules.
Appropriations for succeeding fiscal years shall be incorporated in the General Appropriations Act.
Yes. Under Section 10, they are authorized to accept donations, contributions, grants, bequests, or gifts from domestic or foreign sources for purposes relevant to their mandates, in accordance with applicable laws and rules and subject to government accounting and auditing rules and regulations.
Within 90 days from issuance, it must submit a report to the President on implementation; thereafter it must submit annual reports to the President on the operations of both the Council and the Center.
The EO takes effect immediately upon publication in a newspaper of general circulation.