General Objectives of the Philippine Coast Guard
- Enforce laws throughout Philippine high seas, territorial waters, ports, customs zones, waterways, and inland waters.
- Promote safety of life and property within Philippine maritime jurisdiction.
- Develop and maintain maritime navigation aids with national defense considerations.
- Conduct national sea search and rescue operations and participate in international safety cooperation.
- Assist government agencies in maritime economic development.
- Enforce marine environmental protection laws within Philippine territorial waters.
Abolition of Board of Visitors
- The Board of Visitors provided under Republic Act 5173 is abolished.
Administrative Control
- Philippine Coast Guard placed under direct supervision and control of the Secretary of National Defense.
Specific Functions of the Philippine Coast Guard
- Prevent and suppress illegal maritime activities including illegal entry, fishing, coral gathering, smuggling, and customs violations.
- Vessel approval, inspection, registration, issuance of certificates for operation and Philippine registry, load line administration.
- Regulation of vessel navigation rules such as lights, signals, speed, and control of passenger and dangerous cargo transport.
- Licensing regulations for motorboats and towing or destruction of navigation hazards.
- Establish, maintain and operate maritime navigation aids and search and rescue facilities.
- Enforce international conventions related to sea safety and represent the Philippines in international maritime conferences.
- Supervise nautical schools and maritime programs, including seafarers’ training and registration.
- Enforce laws on manning of vessels, licensing, certification, investigation of marine casualties, and shipowners’ responsibilities.
- Provide rescue and assistance to distressed persons or vessels, including care for wreckage and casualties.
- Regulate maritime events such as regattas and marine parades.
- Implement measures for marine pollution control in coordination with the National Pollution Control Commission.
- Manage maritime communications in compliance with international conventions.
- Control the movement of privately owned ships carrying strategic materials in national interest.
- Exercise exclusive jurisdiction over vessel seizure proceedings for law violations.
- Assist other government agencies when requested, acting as agents of those agencies.
- Members are peace officers and act as law enforcement agents of various government bureaus including Customs and Fisheries.
Organizational Structure
- Headed by a Commandant who is a Flag Officer.
- Organized into operational units or subordinate commands as needed.
- Incorporates Marine Safety Division and other transferred governmental maritime units.
- Commandant authorized to reorganize divisions and sections.
Board of Marine Inquiry
- Composed of five appointed members including Coast Guard officer Chairman, master mariners, a chief engineer, and a lawyer.
- Members receive per diem for services rendered.
- Rules and procedures for proceedings prescribed by the Commandant.
Administration of the Philippine Merchant Marine Academy
- Academy placed under administrative and operational control of the Philippine Coast Guard.
- Superintendent appointed by the Secretary of National Defense upon recommendation by the Commandant.
Controls on Aids to Maritime Navigation
- Prohibition on establishment or maintenance of aids without prior authorization from the Coast Guard.
- Unlawful to remove, damage, obstruct, or interfere with aids to navigation.
Penal Provisions
- Violators face fines ranging from PHP 200 to PHP 1,000 or imprisonment from 30 days to 6 months, or both.
- Penalties for associations or corporations imposed on responsible officers or directors.
- Philippine Coast Guard may impose administrative penalties for regulatory violations.
Appropriations and Funding
- Existing appropriations for the Philippine Coast Guard to continue and increase until full growth.
- Authorized separate Project under the Armed Forces Program and Budget System.
- Revenues and donations collected by the Coast Guard automatically appropriated for its use.
Repealing Clause
- All inconsistent laws, decrees, orders, instructions, and regulations repealed or modified accordingly.
Effectivity
- The Decree takes effect immediately upon issuance.