fs RECEIVED
PE pare: AUG 2
Republic of the Philippines

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Batasan Hills, Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session
6
House Bill No. oa z oa

Introduced by
HON. YEDDA MARIE K. ROMUALDEZ
and

HON. FERDINAND MARTIN G. ROMUALDEZ

————— ts,

Since the inception of the Coast Guard service, its main source of its
Personnel particularly its Officers, has been the Philippine Military Academy,
the Philippine Merchant Marine Academy and the Coast Guard Officers’
Course, administered by the Coast Guard Officer School, in the Coast Guard
Education and Training Command.

These institutions however, for various feasons do not fully inculcate
the ethos of Maritime Law Enforcement and Administration to its graduates,
hence more time and resources are being spent in order to equip its officers
with the technical skills and know-how in order to fulfill their duties as Coast
Guard Officers.

Given the various tasks given to the Philippine Coast Guard under
Republic Act No. 9993 and with the peculiarities of its being the premier
maritime law enforcement agency in the country, it is imperative that there
must be a dedicated educational institution that would ‘specifically cater to the
needs of the Philippine Coast Guard and maritime law enforcement in
general.

In order for the proposed Philippine Coast Guard Academy to be
accessible to all qualified Filipinos from all over the Philippines, the Academy
should be established in the ten (10) hectare land granted to the Coast Guard
District Eastern Visayas by the Department of Environment and Natural
Resources, located in Brgy. Cabalawan, Tacloban City, Leyte. The location is
ideal considering its Proximity to the National Maritime Polytechnic, and thus
take advantage of its world-class facilities and its faculty of experts in the field
of maritime education. Furthermore, it is likewise located near the newly built
Eastern Visayas Medical Center. It will also generate more employment and
livelihood opportunities for the residents of the Northern Barangays, many of

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whom are victims of typhoon Yolanda, who availed of the relocation and
housing programs of the National Government.

The creation of the Philippine Coast Guard Academy serves this
purpose and will ensure that the Philippine Coast Guard shall have a well-
trained and well-equipped pool of officers that are specifically honed to fullill
the Maritime Law Enforcement and Administration functions of the PCG.

In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought.

YEDDA MARIE K. ROMUALDEZ
Tingog Sinirangan Partylist


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Batasan Hills, Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session
4161
House Bill No.

7

Introduced by
HON. YEDDA MARIE K. ROMUALDEZ
and

HON. FERDINAND MARTIN G. ROMUALDEZ

AN ACT TO ESTABLISH THE PHILIPPINE COAST GUARD ACADEMY,
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of the Representatives of
the Philippines in Congress assembled:

Section 1. Short Title - This Act shall be known as the Philippine
Coast Guard (PCG) Academy Law of 2019.

Section 2. Declaration of Policy - It is hereby declared as the policy
of the State to promote the welfare and modemization of the PCG geared
towards the enhancement of the Service by ensuring adequate and
professional Officers that will perform the multifarious tasks and functions of
the PCG

The State needs to create the appropriate institutional arrangement in
order to establish an effective and well - trained PCG Officers Corps,
comparable with that of the Philippine Military Academy and the Philippine
National Police Academy, sufficient to carry out the mandated tasks of the
PCG under Republic Act No. 9993 (PCG Law of 2009) and its Implementing
Rules and Regulations, as well as, to competently carry out missions as may


be given by the Department of Transportation or Department of National
Defense during national emergencies or in times of war, respectively.

Section 3. The PCG Academy - There shall be established a PCG
training school in the city of Tacloban to be named as the PCG Academy for
the training of selected candidates for permanent commission as officers in
the PCG Corps of Officers.

The PCG Academy shall be autonomous from the Coast Guard
Education and Training Command; however, both shall work hand in hand in
developing the doctrinal programs and values applicable to both taking into
consideration the customs and traditions of the PCG.

Section 4. The Superintendent - The PCG Academy shall be headed
by the Superintendent. He or she shall be appointed by the Commandant,
PCG from among the active PCG Officer. The powers and duties of the
Superintendent, in addition to those specifically provided for in this Act, shall
be those usually pertaining to the office of the president of a college or a
university.

The position of the Superintendent shall carry the rank of Vice Admiral
in the PCG Table of Organization. Provided that, the Superintendent shall
have a maximum tenure in position of three (3) years.

Section 5. The PCG Academy Board - The government of the
Academy is hereby vested in the PCG Academy Board which shall be
composed of the following members:

(a) The Deputy Commandant for Administration which shall be the

Chairman of the Board;

(b) the Superintendent, which shall be the Vice-Chairman of the Board;
(c) the Deputy Commander, Coast Guard Education and Training

Command;


(d) Deputy Commander, Coast Guard Maritime Safety Services
Command;

(e) Deputy Commander, Coast Guard Marine Environmental Protection
Command;

(f) Deputy Commander, Coast Guard Maritime Security Command;

(g) Dean of the PCG Corps of Professors; and

(h) Dean of Civilian Faculty.

Members of the PCG Academy Board shall, in addition to their pay,
allowances, and collateral entitlement under Republic Act No. 9993 and its
Implementing Rules and Regulations, receive a reasonable per diem for each
attendance in the regular and special meetings of the Board and
reimbursement of actual and necessary expenses incurred for the
aforementioned purposes as may be authorized by a resolution of the Board
in accordance with existing accounting rules and regulations.

Section 6. Duties and Powers of the PCG Academy Board - The
PCG Academy Board shalll have the following duties and powers in addition to
its general powers of administration

(a) To confer such degree as ay be determined by the Academic
Council to successful candidates for graduation;

(b) To appoint, upon the recommendation of the Superintendent,
civilian instructors, professors and other employees of the
Academy. To fix their compensation, hours of service, and other
duties as may be deemed proper under the Civil Service laws. To
grant to them leaves of absence under existing laws and
regulations and to remove them from office for cause after an
investigation and hearing by the appropriate Discipline Board:


(c) To approve the curricula, rules of discipline, and creation of the
different departments drawn up by the Academic Council as herein
under provided;

(d) To provide academic fellowship and scholarship for members of the
Corps of Professors and Faculty Members;

(€) To provide rules for the administration of the Academy such general
ordinances and regulations consistent with the herein Provisions;

(f) To receive in trust legacies, gifts, and donations of real and
Personal property of all kinds and to administer the same for the
benefit of the Academy or for the aid of the cadets, in accordance
with the directions and instructions of the donor, and, in default
thereof, in such manner as the Academy Board may, in its
discretion, determine;

(g) To receive and appropriate such sums as may be provided by law
for the support of the Academy;

(h) To manage and utilize such income as maybe generated by the
Academy for the maintenance, support, and improvement of the
same; and

(i) To authorize the Superintendent to enter into Contract,
Memorandum of Understanding / Agreement, and such other
instrument, to the extent as may be allowed by law, relative to the
performance of his / her powers and functions and for the effective
implementation of the herein provisions.

Section 7. Progress Report - Within thirty (30) days after the close of
the Academic Year, the PCG Academy Board shall file with the Commandant,
PCG a detailed report setting forth the Progress, condition, and needs of the
Academy.


Section 8. The Academic Council - There shall be an Academic
Council consisting of the Superintendent and the Directors of all the
departments of the Academy. The Academic Council shall have the power: to
determine the applicable tuition fees and academic charges; prescribe the
curricula; rules of discipline; and creation of various departments as it may be
necessary, subject to the approval of the PCG Academy Board.

It shall fix the requirements for admission to the Academy as well as for
graduation and the conferment of a degree. The Academic Council alone shall
have the power to recommend students or others to be recipients of degrees.

Section 9. Corps of Professors - There shall be a Corps of Professor
which shall form part of the Faculty of the Academy. It shall be composed of
PCG Uniformed Personnel who are permanently assigned with the Academy.
The qualifications for admission to the Corps of Professor shall be determined
by the PCG Academy Council. The same shall be headed by a Dean who
shall be selected by the PCG Academic Council from among the members of
the Corps of Professors.

A separate career pattern shall be promulgated by the PCG
Organization for the professional advancement and promotion of the
members of the Corps of Professor within three (3) months from the
effectively of this Law.

Section 10. The Faculty - The body of Civilian Professors and
Instructors of the Academy shall constitute the Faculty of the Academy. It shall
be headed by a Dean who shall be appointed by the Superintendent upon
recommendation by the members of the Faculty. In the appointment of
Professors and Instructors of the Academy, neither religious test shall be
applied nor shall the religious opinions or affiliations of the faculty of the
Academy be made a matter of examination or inquiry. Provided, however, that
no Professor or Instructor in the Academy shall inculcate sectarian tenets in
any of their teachings or attempt either directly or indirectly, under penalty of


dismissal by the PCG Academy Board, to influence students of the Academy
for or against any particular church or religious sect.

Section 11. Relevant Civil Service and Licensure Examinations -
The Civilian Professors and Instructors in the Academy must have passed the
relevant civil service or licensure examinations as a requisite to their

appointment.

The PCG Academic Council may require from both the members of the
Corps of Professors and Faculty additional educational training, schooling,
and Masters and Doctorate degrees to raise the academic standards of the
Academy. The same will be adopted in the career pattern of the members of
the Corps of Professors. Similarly, it may also be used as basis for the
Promotion and career advancement of the members of the Faculty.

Section 12. The Registrar - There shall be a Registrar of the Academy
appointed by the PCG Academy Board. He or she shall sit as the Secretariat
of the PCG Academy Board and shall be the custodian of all the records of
the same. He or she shall also fulfill such other duties and responsibilities as
the Superintendent may direct.

Section 13. PCG Cadets - PCG Cadets shall be admitted to the PCG
Academy upon the approval of the Commandant, PCG. Provided that they
meet the qualifications and entry requirements prescribed herein.

Their years of Government Service shall start on the date of their
admission in the PCG Academy for purposes of computation of PCG Active
Service and entitlement to long pay benefits.

Section 14. Exchange Program - The Academy may admit students
from the counterparts of the PCG from foreign Coast Guard / Naval / Maritime
Police Organizations, especially those from members of the Association of
South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) as Cadets / Cadettes. This is to foster


regional cooperation and facilitate the coordination among the aforementioned
Organizations. Similarly, the Academy may send Cadets to the appropriate
Academy of the aforementioned Organizations.

Students from the foreign Coast Guard / Naval / Maritime Police
Organizations, which provide scholarship and sponsorship from their own
academy to Cadets sent by the Academy, shall also receive corresponding
privileges from the Academy. Otherwise, they shall be required to pay such
fees and charges as may be determined by the Academic Council Upon
graduation, they shall then return to their respective Organizations.

Section 15. The PCG Academy Cadet Corps - The PCG Academy
Cadet Corps shall be the Student Body of the PCG Academy. It shall be
composed of PCG Cadets, and Foreign Cadets. Provided that, the Foreign
Cadets shall not exceed ten percent (10%) of the total student population of
the Academy.

Section 16. Qualifications and Entry Requirements — All Cadets
shall be selected from among the candidates by the Academic Council. The
minimum qualifications for admission to the PCG Academy are as follows:

(a) Must be natural born Filipino citizen (applicable ‘only to candidates

for PCG Cadets;

(b) Single with no parental obligations;

(c) Must be in good physical condition;

(d) Must neither be less than seventeen (17) nor more than twenty -

two (22) years of age on the first of day of the Academic Year: and

(e) At least Secondary Level Graduate (Senior High School or its

Equivalent).

The Academic Council may determine such other requirements for
admission to the PCG Academy, as may be necessary, that are applicable
either separately for the PCG Cadets, Foreign Cadets only or common to all
of them.


Section 17. Discipline and Justice System - Within three (3) months
from effectivity of this Law, the PCG Academy Board will prepare the
discipline and justice system applicable to all Cadets of the Academy for
approval of the Commandant, PCG.

Section 18. Commissionship to the Active PCG Service. - Upon
satisfactory completion of the course of instruction at the PCG Academy, PCG
Cadets shall be commissioned as Ensigns in the active PCG Service with
relative seniority in order of their final general academic standings.

PCG Cadets who shall suffer, before graduation, permanent and total
disability by reason of injury or sickness while in the Academy shall be retired
with the rank of Cadet and shall be entitled to the retirement benefits of an
Ensign in the PCG.

Section 19. Conferment of the Degree. - Graduates of the PCG
Academy shall be conferred upon graduation of a Bachelor of Science (BS)
Degree. The PCG Academic Council shall develop such curricula that will
cater to the primary functions of the PCG under Republic Act No. 9998 and its
IRR and responsive to the needs of the maritime stakeholders and the
maritime interest of the Country for approval of the PCG Academy Board. The
said curricula will then be endorsed to the Commission on Higher Education
for accreditation and approval.

Section 20. Masters and Doctorate Degrees. — The PCG Academy
may also offer Masters and Doctorate Degrees for qualified PCG Personnel
who desire to obtain advance knowledge on relevant maritime concerns and
enhance their professional capabilities.

The said Masters and Doctorate Degrees may be offered to other
students outside of the PCG, both local and foreign, subject to corresponding
fees that may be approved by the PCG Academy Board.


Section 21. Pay, Allowances, and Collateral Entitlements. —
Members of the PCG Corps of Professors and other PCG Uniformed
Personnel assigned at the PCG Academy shall receive such pay, allowances,
and collateral entitlements corresponding to their ranks as provided under
Republic Act No. 9998 and its IRR

Members of the Faculty and other civilian personnel appointed as such
in the PCG Academy shall receive the pay, allowances, and collateral
entitlements enjoyed by their counterparts in the Philippine National Police
Academy or Philippine Military Academy, whichever is higher, subject to
applicable rules and regulations.

PCG Cadets shall receive pay and allowances as provided under
Republic Act No. 9993 and its IRR reckoned from admission in the Academy.

Section 22. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — Within three (3)
Months from the effectively of this Law, the PCG shall formulate the
necessary Implementing Rules and Regulations to prescribe the procedures
and guidelines for the implementation of the same for the approval of the
Secretary, Department of Transportation

Similarly, the Table of Organization and Equipment, including the
Plantilla Positions of members of the Faculty and other civilian personnel, of
the Academy will be established by the PCG Academy Board for approval by
the Secretary, Department of Transportation.

Section 23. Appropriations. — For carrying out the purposes and
provisions of this Act, the sum of one billion five hundred million pesos (Php
1,500,000,000.00) shall be appropriated for the purpose of the establishment
of the PCG Academy. It shall be treated as a separate and distinct budget
item from the regular appropriations for the PCG. It shall be implemented in a
staggered basis, with five hundred million pesos (Php 500,000,000.00) will be
released by the Department of Budget and Management annually for the two


(2) succeeding years. An additional eight hundred million pesos (Php
800,000,000.00) is hereby appropriated for the purpose of acquiring a modern
training ship for the PCG Academy to supplement classroom instructions

Thereafter the amount of sixty million pesos (Php 60,000,000.00) shall
be included in the yearly General Appropriations Act for the maintenance and
operation of the PCG Academy.

Section 24. Separability Clause - Should any of the provisions of this
law be declared invalid or unconstitutional, the remainder of the same shall
remain valid and subsisting and of full force and effect.

Section 25. Repealing Clause - All |aws, executive orders, rules and
regulations inconsistent with or contrary with the provisions of this Act are
hereby repealed or amended accordingly.

Section 26. Effectivity — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days
after its publication in the Official Gazette or from any newspaper of general
circulation.