Mandates under Existing Laws
- Philippine Navy is the primary naval defense force as designated by the Administrative Code of 1987.
- Philippine Coast Guard mandated by RA No. 9993 to ensure maritime safety, security, enforcement, and terrorism prevention at sea.
Background on Existing Maritime Security Infrastructure
- Establishment of Coast Watch South for maritime domain awareness in Southern Philippines.
- Recognition of importance of international and regional maritime security cooperation to enhance capabilities and national interests.
- Emphasizes integration of government agency programs into a national system to increase maritime security awareness.
Presidential Authority to Reorganize Executive Agencies
- The President has constitutional authority under Section 17, Article VII of the Constitution to reorganize executive departments, bureaus, and agencies.
Establishment of the National Coast Watch System (NCWS)
- NCWS created as the central inter-agency mechanism for coordinated maritime security governance.
Creation of the National Coast Watch Council
- Composition includes Executive Secretary (Chairperson) and Secretaries of key departments: Transportation and Communications, National Defense, Foreign Affairs, Interior and Local Government, Justice, Energy, Finance, Environment and Natural Resources, Agriculture.
- Council meets at least twice yearly or as needed.
Powers and Functions of the Council
- Formulating strategic direction and policy guidance for NCWS.
- Reviewing maritime security operations and reporting to the President and National Security Council.
- Recommending policies, procedures, and administrative regulations to enhance maritime security.
- Harmonizing capability plans, funding requirements, and inter-agency roles and coordination.
- Convening or dissolving inter-agency committees or working groups.
- Exercising jurisdiction over maritime policy and coordination with foreign and local entities.
- Enlisting government agency support and promulgating necessary rules.
- Performing other functions as directed by the President or Chairperson.
Role and Functions of the Coast Watch Council Secretariat
- Provides technical, consultative research, and administrative support to the Council.
- Assists in proposing and reviewing legislation and administrative issuances on maritime security.
- Supports inter-agency committees and working groups with administrative and technical tasks.
- Headed by an Executive Director appointed by the Chairperson upon Council recommendation.
National Coast Watch Center (NCWC)
- Implements and coordinates maritime security operations as per Council's strategic policies.
- Functions include: gathering and disseminating maritime security information; maintaining communication systems; coordinating surveillance and response; planning and reporting maritime operations; enabling cross-border and multinational cooperation; supporting prosecution of violators; conducting security assessments.
- NCWC to be located in and headed by the Philippine Coast Guard.
Support Agencies and Their Roles
- Agencies mandated to provide manpower, equipment, and materials include the Philippine Navy, Coast Guard, National Police Maritime Group, Department of Justice’s National Prosecution Service, Bureau of Customs, Bureau of Immigration, National Bureau of Investigation, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, and Philippine Center on Transnational Crime.
- Roles and responsibilities to be detailed in Council-promulgated rules.
- All government agencies directed to coordinate and cooperate with the Council.
- Chairperson authorized to call upon agency heads for assistance.
Abolition of the Commission on Maritime and Ocean Affairs (CMOA)
- CMOA, previously established, is abolished as part of streamlining.
- Mandate and functions transferred to the National Coast Watch Council.
Preservation of Existing Agency Mandates
- Executive Order does not diminish the mandates and functions of support agencies, except the abolished CMOA's functions.
Funding Provisions
- Initial funding of PHP 20,000,000 sourced from the Department of Energy's Special Account in the General Fund.
- Future appropriations to be included in the General Appropriations Act.
Authority to Accept Donations and Grants
- Council and Center authorized to accept contributions from domestic and foreign sources for purposes aligned with their mandate.
- Subject to applicable laws and government accounting rules.
Reporting Requirements
- Council to submit a report within 90 days after the Executive Order's issuance.
- Annual reports thereafter on operations of the Council and the Center to be submitted to the President.
Legal and Administrative Provisions
- Separability clause ensures validity of remaining provisions if any part is declared invalid.
- Repeals inconsistent issuances except Proclamation No. 72 (s. 2001), subject to Council functions outlined.
- Effectivity upon publication in a newspaper of general circulation.