FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
1 
First Regular Session 
1 
SENATE 
S. No. 1 
Introduced by Senator Richard J. Gordon 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The Philippine Coast Guard is the primary agency of the State in promoting maritime 
safety, enhancing maritime security, and protecting the marine environment. To enable the 
Philippine Coast Guard to competently perform these tasks, the Philippine Coast Guard 
needs to be strengthened as an institution. 
Recognizing the vital importance of the Philippine Coast Guard in the maritime 
affairs of the Philippines as an archipelagic country, this bill seeks to define the structure 
and operations of the Philippine Coast Guard in order to enhance its capability to respond to 
the various challenges of the times in maritime safety, maritime security, and marine 
environmental protection in compliance with international conventions, particularly the 
United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the various conventions 
of the International Maritime Organization (IMO). 
As the effective and efficient delivery of public service related to maritime affairs by 
the Philippine Coast Guard will be achieved through this legislative measure, the passage of 
this bill is earnestly sought. fp 
HARD J. GORDON 


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" .,I 
FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
) 
,
,
 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
1 
First Regular Session 
) 
, ... 
I i ~ :  
SENATE 
.. ~,~ . 
x 
S. No. 
Introduced by Senator Richard J. Gordon 
AN ACT TO PROMOTE MARITIME SAFETY, ENHANCE MARITIME SECURITY, AND 
SAFEGUARD AND PROTECT THE MARINE ENVIRONMENT BY STRENGTHENING 
THE PHILIPPINE COAST GUARD 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Philippine Coast Guard 
Act of 2007." 
Sec. 2. Declaration of Policies. - The State recognizes its obligation to protect the 
marine wealth in its archipelagic waters, territorial seas, and exclusive economic zone, and 
therefore reserves the use and enjoyment of the same to Filipino citizens. 
The Philippines needs a balanced and healthful marine ecology, which shall (a) 
assure a sustainable growth and development of its bountiful marine wealth and other 
resources; (b) encourage the growth and development of sea transportation as a primary 
and vital link of the various islands of the archipelago; and (c) promote ecotourism by 
projecting the pristine beauty of its natural sceneries such as white beaches, and other 
tourist spots. 
To attain these objectives , the State reaffirms its obligation to protect the marine 
environment and commits itself to the following: (a) promoting maritime safety in order to 
obviate, if not minimize, marine accidents; (b) enhancing maritime security; (e) 
safeguarding the marine environment; and (d) maintaining and ensuring peace and order in 
the archipelagic waters, territorial seas and exclusive economic zone. 
Sec. 3. Maritime Safety. - To promote maritime safety, the Philippine Coast Guard 
shall have the following functions: 
(1) To enforce laws, promulgate and administer regulations for the promotion of 
safety of life and property within the maritime jurisdiction of the Philippines in accordance 
with international conventions, particularly the United Nations Convention on the Law of the 


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Sea (UNCLOS) and the various conventions of the International Maritime Organization 
(IMO); and 
(2) To render aid to distressed persons and vessels and conduct search and rescue 
operations in case of marine disasters and emergencies within the maritime jurisdiction of 
the Philippines, including the high seas, in compliance with international conventions. 
Sec. 4. Navigational Lanes. - The Philippine Coast Guard shall establish 
navigational lanes interconnecting Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao for convenient, cost- 
efficient, and safe maritime transportation. 
Sec. 5. Aids and Systems to Navigation. - The Philippine Coast Guard shall 
develop, establish, maintain, and operate aids and systems to maritime navigation for the 
promotion of maritime safety. 
Sec. 6. Search and Rescue. - In all cases of maritime calamities, disasters and 
emergencies, the Philippine Coast Guard shall undertake timely search and rescue 
operations in coordination with relevant government and non-government agencies, 
including the Philippine National Red Cross. The Philippine Coast Guard may request to 
utilize any and all resources, such as, but not limited to, ships and aircrafts, including 
helicopters and seaplanes, for search and rescue operations during maritime calamities, 
disasters and emergencies. 
Sec. 7. Maritime Security. - To enhance maritime security, the Philippine Coast 
Guard shall have the following functions: 
(1) To enforce and assist in the enforcement of all maritime laws, including but not 
limited to the anti-piracy law, fisheries law, immigration law, tariff and customs law, forestry 
law, firearms and explosives law, dangerous drugs law, law on trafficking of women and 
children, and all other applicable laws within the territorial waters of the Philippines; and 
(2) To enforce or assist in the maintenance of maritime security, prevent or suppress 
terrorism at sea, and perform police functions within the maritime jurisdiction of the 
Philippines. 
The Philippine Coast Guard may inspect vessels entering or leaving the Philippine 
territory and may call upon other government agencies to render assistance in the 
discharge of these functions. 
Sec. 8. Marine Environmental Protection. - To safeguard and protect the marine 
environment, the Philippine Coast Guard shall enforce laws, promulgate and administer 
rules and regulations for the protection of the nial-ine environment and prevention of marine 


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pollution within the maritime jurisdiction of the Philippines in coordination with the other 
relevant government agencies concerned. 
Sec. 9. Organization. - The Philippine Coast Guard shall remain a sea-going, 
distinct, armed, and uniformed commissioned service. For purposes of supervision and 
control by the President of the Republic of the Philippines, the Philippine Coast Guard shall 
be attached to the Department of Transportation and Communications; Provided, that in 
times of war or other national emergency declared by Congress, the Philippine Coast Guard 
shall support the Philippine Navy and report to the Department of National Defense. 
Sec. IO. Composition. - The Philippine Coast Guard shall consist of the following 
categories of officers and employees: 
(1) Philippine Coast Guard officers; 
(2) Philippine Coast Guard enlisted personnel; 
(3) Philippine Coast Guard non- uniformed personnel; 
(4) Probationary 2nd Lt./Ensign; and 
(5) Midshipmenlwomen 
There shall be a Philippine Coast Guard Technical Service to be composed of 
medical doctors, dentists, nurses, lawyers, chaplains, including personnel whose pre-entry 
required courses are closely related or allied to the aforementioned professional groups. 
Appointment of all Philippine Coast Guard officers shall be in the initial rank of Coast Guard 
Ensign, except for the following Field of Occupational Specialties (FOS): dentists and 
veterinarians whose initial appointment rank shall be Coast Guard Lieutenant Junior Grade; 
and lawyers, medical doctors, and chaplains whose initial appointment rank shall be Coast 
Guard Lieutenant Senior Grade. 
Sec. 11. Development Fund. -The Philippine Coast Guard shall continue to collect 
fees, dues, charges, and fines relevant to the exercise of its various regulatory functions 
under existing laws. All income derived from the collection of fees, dues, charges, and 
fines, and such other income as may hereafter be derived, shall be retained and constituted 
as a Development Fund, which shall be deposited in any authorized government depository 
bank, for the use of the Philippine Coast Guard to finance the acquisition, maintenance and 
repair of its equipment and facilities, including communication and rescue equipment, 
armaments, and ammunitions. The Philippine Coast Guard and the Department of Budget 
and Management shall jointly issue guidelines for the implementation of this Section. The 


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Development Fund shall be subject to the usual accounting and auditing rules and 
regulations. 
Sec. 12. Commandant. - The Philippine Coast Guard shall be headed by a 
Commandant who shall carry the rank of Admiral; Provided, that the Commandant shall be 
appointed by the President of the Republic of the Philippines from among the Flag Officers 
in the Philippine Coast Guard active service. The Commandant shall have a maximum term 
of three (3) years; Provided, that in times of war or other national emergency declared by 
Congress, the President of the Republic of the Philippines may extend the Commandant's 
tenure. A Commandant who has served for three (3) years even prior to reaching his 
compulsory retirement age shall be considered as retired and entitled to all the benefits 
available as if he were compulsorily retired. 
The Philippine Coast Guard Commandant shall have the following functions: 
(1) Advise the President of the Republic of the Philippines or the Secretary of the 
Department of Transportation and Communications on the promulgation of executive 
orders, proclamations, rules and regulations, and other issuances relative to matters under 
the jurisdiction of the Philippine Coast Guard; 
(2) Establish policies and standards for the efficient and effective management and 
operation of the Philippine Coast Guard; 
(3) Promulgate rules and regulations necessary to carry out the objectives, policies, 
plans, programs, and projects of the Philippine Coast Guard; 
(4) Enter into contracts for the acquisition of floating air and sub-surface assets, real 
estate, communications equipment and other necessities relative to the performance of the 
powers and functions of the Philippine Coast Guard, subject to the limitations of existing 
laws; 
(5) Receive grants and other forms of assistance from other countries in support of 
the continued development and modernization projects of the Philippine Coast Guard, 
subject to the limitations of existing laws; and 
(6) Perform such other functions as may be provided by law or appropriately 
assigned by the President of the Republic of the Philippines and the Secretary of the 
Department of Transportation and Communications or the Secretary of the Department of 
National Defense. 
Sec. 13. Major Units. - The Philippine Coast Guard shall maintain its present 
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organization, composed of a Headquarters and its Support Units, Coast Guard Districts, 


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Coast Guard Stations, Detachments and Clearing Outposts, as well as the Coast Guard 
Operating Forces, Marine Environmental Protection Command, Coast Guard Education and 
Training Command, and Aids to Navigation Command. The Philippine Coast Guard may 
reorganize as necessary for its effective and efficient operations. 
Sec. 14. Appointment - Appointment of all Philippine Coast Guard officers shall 
be made by the President of the Republic of the Philippines through the Secretary of the 
Department of Transportation and Communications. No person shall be appointed as a 
Philippine Coast Guard officer unless he or she is a holder of a baccalaureate degree, 
preferably a licensed professional, andlor a graduate of a Service Academy. 
Appointment of all Philippine Coast Guard enlisted personnel shall be made by the 
Commandant of the Philippine Coast Guard. 
Appointment of all Philippine Coast Guard non-uniformed personnel shall be in 
accordance with the Civil Service law, rules and regulations. 
Sec. 15. Promotion. - There shall be a Philippine Coast Guard Selection and 
Promotion Board that shall recommend the best qualified officers and enlisted personnel of 
the Philippine Coast Guard for promotion. Special or meritorious promotion shall be 
extended to a Philippine Coast Guard officer or personnel fur acts of courage and gallantry 
involving the risk of life above and beyond the call of duty andlor outstanding achievement 
in the Coast Guard service as may be determined by the Philippine Coast Guard Selection 
and Promotion Board. 
Sec. 16. Remuneration and Benefits of Philippine Coast Guard Officers and 
Enlisted Personnel. - Philippine Coast Guard officers and enlisted personnel shall enjoy 
similar remuneration and benefits as the members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, 
especially with respect to longevity pay; mandatory allowances; collateral pay; collateral 
allowances; retirement benefits; pensions; death and disability benefits; and other support, 
benefits and incentives provided by law for the members of the Armed Forces of the 
Philippines. 
Sec. 17. Philippine Coast Guard Reserve Force. - There is hereby created a 
Philippine Coast Guard Reserve Force in support of the active component of the Philippine 
Coast Guard to augment the same upon mobilization in times of war or other national 
emergency declared by Congress as well as in times of calamities, disasters and 
emergencies to perform search and rescue operations, relief, and other activities requiring 
civil assistance. The authority to call upon the Philippine Coast Guard Reserve Force shall 


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be vested in the President of the Republic of the Philippines and Secretary of the 
Department of Transportation and Communications or Secretary of the Department of 
National Defense. 
Sec. 18. Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary. - The Philippine Coast Guard shall 
organize and train a civilian volunteer organization known as the Philippine Coast Guard 
Auxiliary under the direct control and supervision of the Commandant or any designated 
officer for the purpose of assisting in the promotion of safety of life at sea, the preservation 
of the marine environment and its resources, the conduct of maritime search and rescue 
operations, the maintenance of aids and systems to navigation, and such other worthy 
activities that enhance maritime community relations, civic action, and youth development. 
Sec. 19. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, orders, rules and regulations or 
other issuances or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby 
repealed or modified accordingly. 
Sec. 20. Appropriation. - The initial funding to carry out the provisions of this Act 
shall be charged against the current year's appropriation. Thereafter, such sums as may be 
necessary shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act. 
Sec. 21. Separability Clause. - If any portion or provision of this Act is declared 
unconstitutional, the remainder of this Act or other provisions not affected thereby shall 
remain in force and effect. 
Sec. 22. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days following the 
completion of its publication either in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general 
circulation in the Philippines. 
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Approved,