QuestionsQuestions (PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NO. 601)
PD No. 601 is titled “Providing for the Revision of Republic Act No. 5173 commonly known as the Coast Guard Law,” consolidating fragmented functions to enable the Philippine Coast Guard to discharge its maritime safety and law-enforcement functions more efficiently and effectively.
They include enforcing applicable laws within Philippine maritime jurisdiction; promoting safety of life and property at sea; establishing aids to navigation and search and rescue; administering national sea search and rescue rules and international cooperation; assisting maritime economic development; and enforcing rules for marine environmental protection.
The Board of Visitors under Section 2 of RA 5173 is abolished.
The Philippine Coast Guard is placed under the direct supervision and control of the Secretary of National Defense.
To prevent and suppress illegal entry, illegal fishing, illegal gathering of corals and other marine products, smuggling, other customs frauds, and other maritime and fishery law violations, including surveillance and inspection of vessels entering and/or leaving Philippine territory.
When needed to assist in discharging the Coast Guard’s function of preventing and suppressing illegal entry, illegal fishing, smuggling, customs frauds, and other maritime/fishery law violations (Section 5(a)).
The Coast Guard must approve plans for construction/repair/alteration; approve materials/equipment/appliances; inspect vessels and their equipment; register motorized watercraft plying in Philippine waters; issue certificates of inspection/permits for operation; issue certificates of Philippine registry; administer load line requirements; enforce safety rules; and determine numbering of undocumented vessels.
Certification and approval of plans/equipment/vessels by internationally known classification societies recognized by the Philippine government shall be deemed to comply with Section 5(b).
To prescribe and enforce rules for lights, signals, speed, steering, passing, anchorage, movement, towlines, and to supervise/control/regulate vessels engaged in carriage of passengers and dangerous cargo; and to regulate tow methods, length, and speed in bays and rivers.
Section 9 prohibits establishing/erecting/maintaining any aid to maritime navigation without prior authorization from the Coast Guard. Section 10 prohibits unlawful interference such as removing, changing location, obstructing, willfully damaging, making fast to, or interfering with aids to navigation.
Upon conviction: fine of not less than P200 nor more than P1,000 and/or imprisonment of not less than 30 days nor more than 6 months, or both; for violations by corporations/associations, the penalty is imposed on responsible officers or directors.
Nothing in the Decree prevents the Coast Guard from providing administrative penalties for violation of regulations it promulgates.
Members are peace officers for all purposes of the Decree and act as law enforcement agents of specific government offices/agencies (e.g., Bureau of Customs, Bureaus/Commissions/Offices named, including those enforcing pertinent laws) when enforcing those laws, rules, and regulations.
It must establish, develop, operate, and maintain aids to navigation and facilities for search and rescue operations, and prescribe related rules; it also administers and enforces rules for national sea search and rescue operations as part of its objectives.
It enforces laws and rules on manning of merchant vessels/fishing boats and on owners’ and officers’ duties after accidents; it also investigates marine casualties and disasters, including those arising from marine protests relating to liability of shipowners and officers.
It requires performance of duties of ship-owners and officers after accidents and gives the Coast Guard authority to investigate marine casualties and disasters, including matters arising from marine protests regarding shipowners’ and officers’ liability.
To control, operate, and manage them relative to the movement of strategic materials as required by national security and economic interest, or as ordered by the President or the duly designated representative.
The Board has five members appointed by the Secretary of National Defense upon the recommendation of the Commandant: one Coast Guard line officer (Captain rank) as Chairman, two Master Mariners, one Chief Engineer of the Philippine merchant marine, and one other who is a member of the Philippine Bar. The Commandant prescribes rules and procedure.