The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) (Filipino: Tanod Baybayin ng Pilipinas) is recognized as the third armed uniformed service of the country attached to the Philippines’ Department of Transportation, tasked primarily with enforcing laws within Philippine waters, conducting maritime security operations, safeguarding life and property at sea, and protecting marine environment and resources; similar to coast guard units around the world. In case of a declaration of war, the Coast Guard shall also serve as an attached service of the Department of National Defense. It currently maintains a presence throughout the archipelago, with thirteen Coast Guard Districts, fifty-four CG Stations and over one hundred ninety Coast Guard Sub-Stations, from Basco, Batanes to Bongao, Tawi-Tawi.
The Philippine Coast Guard is mandated and responsible to perform maritime search and rescue, maritime law enforcement, maritime safety, marine environmental protection and maritime security. The Philippine Coast Guard is the country’s vanguard against the entry of unsafe foreign vessels into the country through its Port State Control. At present, the Philippine Coast Guard has seven (7) PSC Centers and fifteen (15) PSC Divisions all throughout the archipelago. The PSC Center in Manila has the bulk of all inspections based on frequency of foreign ship calls. Pursuant to RA 9993, the Philippine Coast Guard is mandated to enforce regulations in accordance with all relevant maritime international conventions, treaties or instruments of which the government is signatory and national laws. MARITIME SAFETY or MARSAF function is designed to help prevent or minimize unnecessary loss of lives and properties at sea. The Philippines is a signatory to IMO Conventions on Marine Pollution of 1973 and 1978 (MARPOL 73/78). The Philippine Coast Guard under RA 9993 is the sole agency responsible for the Philippine implementation of the Conventions with regards to oil pollution, prevention, mitigation and control through the conduct of marine pollution monitoring and control, enhancement of PCG capability and oil spill response operations and enforcement of all marine environmental laws and regulations. The Philippine Coast Guard, in accordance with the Convention of Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS), is the national maritime search and rescue service of the country. The Coast Guard Action Center (CGAC) at the PCG Headquarters in Manila, by virtue of the current functions and facilities, serves as the coordinating centers for all search and rescue operations. The twelve Coast Guard Districts are designated as Maritime Rescue Coordinating Council (MRCC) within their areas of responsibility while the 59 Coast Guard Stations are designated as Maritime Rescue Sub-Centers (MRSC). The detachments under these stations are designated as SAR units. Maritime Security is another important function of the PCG. Considering the archipelagic character of the country, it is vital to enhance the security of its different maritime zones to protect the integrity as a nation. In the performance of this function, the PCG contributes to maintain good order at sea by conducting regular patrols and surveillance for the safety of navigation of ships, to safeguard ships from illegal acts and to promote freedom of navigation. The PCG is likewise mandated to conduct MARITIME LAW ENFORCEMENT (MARLEN) and implement laws on fisheries (and poaching), immigration, tariff and customs, forestry, firearms and explosives, human trafficking, dangerous drugs and controlled chemicals, and to implement the revised penal code and all other applicable laws within the country’s maritime jurisdiction and battle transnational crimes. The PCG is authorized to board and inspect all watercrafts suspected to be involved in or used in illegal trade. PCG personnel are also deemed agents of BFAR, Immigration, Customs, DENR, PDEA, and INTERPOL in the performance of its MARLEN function.
Interestingly, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) through the Coast Guard Human Resource Management Command (CGHRMC) calls the attention of ASPIRING PCG COMMISSIONSHIP APPLICANTS and be a Commissioned Officer of the PCG.
Qualifications
Below are the qualifications:
- Preferably male
- A natural-born citizen of the Philippines
- Of good moral character
- Single
- Minimum height requirement of 5’0”
- Holder of a baccalaureate degree with professional civil service eligibility of at least 82% rating or PRC license or any equivalent
- 21-28 years old
Source: Philippine Go
