Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
19TH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. ___ 
Introduced by Representative Michael L. Romero 
    EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) 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.
The Philippine Coast Guard is the oldest and only humanitarian armed service 
in the Philippines. Its beginnings could be traced back to the early 20th century 
when coast guarding was related to the protection of the customs services of the 
country and in patrolling the coastlines and harbors. 
With enactment of Republic Act 9993, also known as the Coast Guard Law of 
2009, as well as its implementing rules and regulations, the PCG has been 
vested with the necessary authority and responsibility to perform preventive 
measures in ensuring the safety of merchant vessels. 
This House Bill seeks to provide Modernization Funding to the Philippine 
Coast Guard (PCG), to meet the new challenges and increasing demands for
marine resources, technological advancement and climate change. Further, the 
law has defined the PCG's rightful role in the bureaucracy as the premier 
maritime agency and its vital role in nation building. 
October 20, 2022
1:42 pm
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Thus, the early passage of this bill is earnestly requested. 
MICHAEL L. ROMERO 


Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
19TH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. ___ 
Introduced by Representative Michael L. Romero 
AN ACT 
PROVIDING FOR MODERNIZATION FUNDINGFOR THE 
PHILIPPINE COAST GUARD (PCG), INCREASING AND 
REORGANIZING ITS ADMINISTRATION, TO PERFORM MARITIME 
SEARCH AND RESCUE, MARITIME LAW ENFORCEMENT, 
MARITIME SAFETY, MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AND 
MARITIME SECURITY AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. 
DECLARATION OF POLICY – It shall hereby be a 
declared policy of the State to promote a uniformed armed service that 
implements and enforces all national and international maritime safety, 
security, search and rescue, and marine environmental protection laws in 
support of the integrated Maritime Transportation Network objectives, national 
security and economic development of the Philippines. 
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. 
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The state shall continually improve the effectiveness of our Quality Management 
System towards equitable development for improved quality of life for all. 
The state shall formulate policies for the efficient and effective administration 
and management of all manpower, skills and competencies to ensure 
compliance. 
SECTION 
2. 
MODERNIZATION FUNDING. – The amount of One 
Billion Pesos (Php 1,000,000,000.00) for the operation and administration of 
the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) shall be chargeable against funds for the 
purpose and other sources recommended by the Department of Budget and 
Management (DBM). Thereafter, appropriations for the Philippine Coast 
Guard (PCG) shall be included in the budget proposals under the Department of 
Transportation (DOTr). 
 
The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) shall rationalize the existing 
organizational structure and staffing pattern of the in accordance with the 
provisions of this Act and relevant compensation and position classification laws, 
rules and regulations. 
Thereafter, the amount needed for the continued implementation of the 
modernization program, shall be included in the annual General Appropriations 
Act (GAA). 
SECTION 
3. 
PHILIPPINE COAST GUARD (PCG) MODERNIZATION 
FUND – There is hereby created the (PCG) Modernization Fund to be used 
exclusively for the (PCG) Modernization Program. 
The (PCG) Modernization Fund shall be administered by the Secretary of the 
DOTr in accordance with existing government budgeting, accounting and 
auditing rules and regulations. 


SECTION 
4. 
PROGRESS REPORT – The Secretary of DOTr shall 
prepare an annual report on the status of the implementation of the (PCG) 
Modernization Programs which shall be submitted, to the Office of the President 
and to the Chairpersons of the Committee of Transportation of the Senate and 
the House of Representatives. 
SECTION 
5. 
PERIOD OF IMPLEMENTATION – The modernization 
program under this Act shall be implemented for an initial period of two (2) 
years:  
Provided, that payments for multi-year contract obligations incurred 
under this Act may extend beyond this period:  
Provided, further, That the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) shall continue 
to develop, modernize and constantly update its operational capabilities to keep 
pace with best global practices. 
SECTION 
6. 
POWERS AND FUNCTIONS. – The Philippine Coast 
Guard (PCG) shall continue to exercise and uphold the following powers and 
functions; but not limited to: 
(a) To enforce regulations in accordance with all 
relevant maritime international conventions, treaties or 
instruments and national laws for the promotion of safety of 
life property at sea within the maritime jurisdiction of the 
Philippines and conduct port state control implementation; 
(b) To inspections on all merchant ships and vessels, 
including but shall not be limited to inspections prior to 
departure, to ensure and enforce compliance with safety 
standards, rules and regulations; 
(c) To detain, stop or prevent a ship or vessel which does 
not comply with safety standards, rules and regulations from 
sailing or leaving port; 


(d) To conduct emergency readiness evaluation on 
merchant marine vessels; 
(e) Subject to the approval of the Secretary of the DOTC, 
to issue and enforce rules and regulation for the promotion of 
safety and life and property at sea on all maritime-related 
activities; 
(f) To coordinate, develop, establish, maintain and 
operate aids to navigation, vessel traffic system, maritime 
communications and search and rescue facilities within the 
maritime jurisdiction of the Philippines; 
(g) To remove, destroy or low to port, sunken or floating 
hazards to navigation, including illegal fish and vessels, at or 
close to sea lanes which may cause hazards to the marine 
environment; 
(h) To issue permits for the salvage of vessels and to 
supervise all marine salvage operations, as well as prescribe 
and enforce rules and regulations governing the same; 
(i) To render aid to persons and vessels in distress and 
conduct search rescue in marine accidents within the 
maritime jurisdiction of the Philippines, including the high 
seas, in accordance with applicable international conventions. 
In the performance of this function, the PCG may enlist the 
services of other government agencies and the merchant 
marine fleet; 
(j) To investigate the inquire into the causes of all 
maritime accidents involving death, casualties and damage to 
properties; 
 (k) To assist in the enforcement of laws on fisheries, 
immigration, tariff and customs, forestry, firearms and 
explosives, 
human 
trafficking, 
dangerous 
drugs 
and 
controlled 
chemicals, 
transnational 
crimes 
and 
other 
applicable laws within the maritime jurisdiction of the 
Philippines; 


(l) To board and inspect all types of merchant ships and 
watercrafts in the performance of this functions; 
(m) To enforce laws and promulgated and administer 
rules 
and 
regulations 
for 
the 
protection 
of 
marine 
environment and resources from offshore sources or pollution 
within the maritime jurisdiction of the Philippines; 
(n) To develop oil spill response, containment and 
recovery capabilities against ship-based pollution; 
(o) To grant, within the capabilities and consistent with 
its mandate, requests for assistance of other government 
agencies in the performance of their functions; 
(p) To organize, train and supervise the PCG Auxiliary 
(PCGA) for the purpose of assisting the PCG in carrying out its 
mandated functions; and 
(q) To perform such other functions that may be 
necessary in the attainment of the objectives of this Act. 
 
SECTION 
7. 
INCREASE OF PERSONNEL. – The Philippine Coast 
Guard (PCG) shall maintain the sufficient staffing pattern. Hence, it is 
authorized to increase its manpower to meet such required and may continue to 
increase personnel per percentage rate increase of committed mandates 
annually or as the need arises. 
SECTION 
8. 
TRANSITORY 
PROVISION – 
Existing 
industries, 
businesses and offices affected by the implementation of this Act shall be given 
six (6) months transitory period from the effectivity of the IRR or such other 
period as may be determined, to comply with the requirements of this Act. 
SECTION 
9. 
IMPLEMENTING RULES AND REGULATIONS. – The 
departments and agencies charged with carrying out the provisions of this Act 


shall, within sixty (60) days after the effectivity of this Act, formulate the 
necessary rules and regulations for its effective implementation. 
SECTION 
10. 
REPEALING CLAUSE. – All laws, decrees, executive 
orders, rules and regulations, or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions 
of this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly. 
SECTION 
11. 
SEPARABILITY CLAUSE. – If, for any reason, any 
section or provision of this Act is held unconstitutional or invalid, the other 
sections or provisions hereof shall not be affected thereby. 
SECTION 
12. 
EFFECTIVITY CLAUSE. – This Act shall take effect 
after fifteen (15) days from its publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two 
(2) national newspapers of general circulation whichever comes earlier. 
Approved,