Tanod Baybayin ng Pilipinas |
Philippine Coast Guard (Tanod Baybayin ng Pilipinas) Personnel Strength: 3,849 personnel Headquarters: 139 25th Street Port Area, Manila Mission The PCG is involved in the broader enforcement of maritime laws in the country, especially against smuggling, illegal fishing and drug trafficking. Also, it is involved in maritime search and rescue (SAR) missions, as well as the protection of marine environment. Back to top Functions The Coast Guard today, as a seagoing agency, is faced with the enormous task to perform the multifarious functions of safeguarding the country's vital sea-lanes from maritime lawlessness, preserving its marine resources and promoting Safety of Life and Property at Sea with its limited resources. In the accomplishment of this mission, the PCG performed various activities categorized under the five functional areas, namely: The Maritime Safety Administration (MARSAD) function of the PCG is to ensure the seaworthiness of the vessels plying the waters through the conduct of Port State Control inspection of foreign vessel, among others. It also enforces the vessel safety regulatory standards on domestic vessels through the conduct of Flag State control inspections, Emergency Readiness Evaluations, Mandatory Pre-Departure Inspections, SOLAS Equipment Inspections and the accreditation of suppliers and manufacturers of SOLAS appliances. It also ensures navigational safety through the development, establishment, maintenance and operation of Aids to Navigation. The PCG also establishes navigational rules and traffic separation schemes; regulates the construction of bridges and structures over navigable waterways; supervises salvage operations; regulates regattas and marine parades and conducts inspection of maritime training schools as member of the Maritime Training Council. Maritime Search and Rescue (MARSAR), the PCG maintains a 24-hour distress monitoring, response and relief activities in aid of persons or vessels in distress at sea. The Command obtains information about the distress or incident then disseminates it to nearby units capable of providing initial assistance, and immediately launches its own search and rescue operations. Marine Environmental Protection (MAREP), the PCG, as mandated by PD 600 and PD 601 as amended by PD 979 is the sole agency responsible for maritime oil pollution prevention, mitigation and control through the conduct of marine pollution monitoring and control, operation and the enhancement of PCG capability in oil spill response operations and enforcement of all applicable marine environmental laws and regulations. Maritime Law Enforcement (MARLEN) functions, the PCG being a maritime law enforcement functions particularly on anti-smuggling, anti-piracy, illegal fishing, illegal entry, illegal logging, laws on dangerous drugs and other applicable laws as stipulated in the Memorandum Of Agreement among the 21 other government agencies. Maritime Operations (MAROPS), the PCG performs maritime security operations to protect our ports, harbors and coastal waters and exercises control of shipping, maritime communications and strategic port facilities in time of emergency. Another significant functions under maritime operations is the enhancement of community affairs activities, particularly through the development and involvement of the 19,000-strong Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary and Sea Scouts. The PCG's area of responsibility covers a maritime area of 2,795,962 sq km, a stretch of 35,000 km of coastlines, which is twice longer than that of the USA, 7,107 islands and with a large portion of the populace that relies heavily on maritime commerce. More than a million vessels of various types traverse the Philippine seas annually while 98% of domestic trade depends on sea transport. Despite limited manpower, the PCG was able to perform its mandated functions. Back to top Organization The Philippine Coast Guard is administered through the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC). Under the this structure, the most senior PCG officer is the Commandant PCG (CSAFP), usually with a rank of Vice-Admiral. The Commandant, PCG is solely responsible for the administration and operational status of the Coast Guard. Coast Guard Staff Commandant Deputy Commandant for Operations Deputy Commandant for Administration Chief of Staff Personal Staff Board of Marine Inquiry (BMI) Coast Guard Public Information Office (CGPIO) Coast Guard Internal Audit (CGIA) Central Staffs (Assistant Chiefs of Staff) Personnel (CG1) Intelligence (CG2) Operations (CG3) Logistics (CG4) Plans and Programs (CG5) Comptrollership (CG6) Education and Training (CG7) Maritime Safety Affairs & Vessel Safety Division (CG8) Marine Environmental Protection (CG9) Navigational Safety (CG10) Weapons, Communication-Electronics and Information Systems (CG11) Vessel and Aircraft Engineering and Repair (CG12) Special Staff Coast Guard Action Center (CGAC) Coast Guard Adjutant (CGAO) Coast Guard Special Service (CGSSO) Coast Guard Internal Affairs (CGIAS) Technical Staff Coast Guard Medical (CGMED) Coast Guard Dental (CGDENT) Coast Guard Chaplain Coast Guard Legal Affairs (CGLA) Operational Units Ten regional headquarters with fifty-four stations and one hundred ninety-four detachments. 1st Coast Guard District (CGDNCR), AOR - NCR/Central Luzon, HQ - Manila 2nd Coast Guard District (CGDCEV), AOR - Central/Eastern Visayas, HQ - Cebu 3rd Coast Guard District (CGDSWM), AOR - South Western Mindanao, HQ - Zamboanga 4th Coast Guard District (CGDPAL), AOR - Palawan, HQ - Palawan 5th Coast Guard District (CGDSTL), AOR - Southern Tagalog, HQ - Batangas 6th Coast Guard District (CGDWV), AOR - Western Visayas, HQ - Iloilo 7th Coast Guard District (CGDNLZ), AOR - Northern Luzon, HQ - San Fernando, La Union 8th Coast Guard District (CGDSEM), AOR - South Eastern Mindanao, HQ - Davao 9th Coast Guard District (CGDBCL), AOR - Bicol, HQ - Legaspi City, Albay 10th Coast Guard District (CGDNM), AOR - Northern Mindanao, HQ - Cagayan de Oro Operational Support Units Coast Guard Operation Forces (CGOF) Marine Environmental Protection Command (MEPCOM) Aids to Navigation Command (ANC) Coast Guard Intelligence and Investigation Force (CGIIF) Administrational Units Coast Guard Education and Training Command (CGETC) Coast Guard Weapons, Communication-Electronics and Information Systems (CGWCEIS) Coast Guard Finance Center (CGFC) Headquarters Support Group (HSG) Back to top Brief History Established in 1953, under the operational and administrative jurisdiction of the PN prior its transfer to the Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC) in 1998. Republic Act 5173, otherwise known as the Philippine Coast Guard Law, mandates the creation of the Philippine Coast Guard which shall enforce all applicable laws on the high seas and territorial waters of the Philippines. The fact that the Philippines is an archipelago country with more than 7,100 islands scattered over its maritime jurisdiction, makes the mission of the Philippine Coast Guard more challenging. The PCG is involved in the broader enforcement of maritime laws in the country, especially against smuggling, illegal fishing and drug trafficking. Also, it is involved in maritime search and rescue (SAR) missions, as well as the protection of marine environment. Currently it is present throughout the archipelago, with ten (10) Coast Guard Districts, fifty-four (54) CG Stations and over one hundred ninety (190) CG Detachments, from Basco, Batanes to Bongao, Tawi tawi. Its Major Units are the Coast Guard Operating Forces (CGOF), Marine Environmental Protection Command (MEPCOM), Aids to Navigation Command (ANC) and the Coast Guard Education and Training Command (CGETC). Among the PCG's Special Units are the Coast Guard Fleet, Coast Guard Aviation Group, Coast Guard Special Operations Group, and the CG K-9 Unit. Due to the rash of terrorist attacks, the PCG activated the Task Force Sea Marshals, a composite team from the PCG, AFP and PNP. These Sea Marshals ride on many passenger ferries travelling to and from Manila, and maintain a security presence aboard these ferries. Currently, the new Philippine Coast Guard Act or otherwise known as Senate Bill No. 3389, is under deliberation at the Philippine Senate which will further strengthen the mandate of the PCG. Back to top Modernization On 22 January 1999, after eight months of existence, CGAG acquired its first aircraft, a BN Islander from the Philippine National Oil Company–Energy Development Corporation (PNOC–EDC). After six months intensive inspection and rehabilitation, it was commissioned into Coast Guard service on 26 June 1999 as PCG–251. On June 1999, the first helicopter, a MBB Bo 105CB was acquired from PADC and was commissioned with the tail number PCG–1636. Another aircraft, a Cessna 421B 'Golden Eagle' was acquired without cost from the Bureau of Soils and Water Management sometime in the early part of 2000. However, due to budgetary constraint, the aircraft rehabilitation was not yet completed up to this date. In the same year, another BN Islander with the tail number PCG–684 was acquired. It was commissioned and activated on June 2002 after it underwent rehabilitation. The PCG operates a new Japanese-made buoy tender and the controversial and overpriced BFAR Maritime Control and Surveillance Vessel (MCS), which were acquired in part from Spanish soft loans and grants. The PCG also recently acquired two 56 m Search and Rescue vessels in 2000 and additional two 56 m SAR ships and four 35 m SAR ships from Tenix Shipbuilding of Western Australia which also provided the ships under a 1997 Department of Transportation and Communications-Maritime Safety Improvement Project Phase I contract implemented by the PCG under the OECF 17th Yen credit. The DOTC sought funding from the Australia Agency for International Development (AUSAID) and the Export Finance and Insurance Corporation (EFIC), with ANZ Investment Bank as lead arranger. Total contract price is Au$ 38.511 million, with 80% of the project cost covered through export credit facility and 20% was covered through commercial financing. On 28 March 2003, the CGAG acquired another Bo 105C helicopter from PADC, aircraft carriers PSN-234 and was commissioned into the service as PCG–145, and PCG-192 during the Group’s 5th Founding Anniversary. With the intense need to have the capability to extract survivors from water, the said helicopter was fitted with a rescue hoist through the courtesy from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). Back to top Fleet Information Ships 4 San Juan class SAR craft 4 Ilocos Norte class SAR craft 1 Agusan class Large Patrol Craft 9 Coast Guard Cutters (some units non-operational) ? Swift Mk.3 class Coastal Patrol Crafts (some units in limited use or non-operational) ? Swift Mk.1/Mk.2 Class Small Patrol Craft (some units non-operational) ? De Havilland series 9209 Coastal Patrol Craft (some units non-operational) 1 Corregidor class Buoy Tender 1 Kalinga class Buoy Tender 2 Cabo Bojeador class Buoy Tender (both in dry dock) 14 Supervisory investigation boat/MCS (ten 30 m, four 11 m, BFAR boats with PCG personnel) 1 Tugboat (MT Habagat?) 9 Barge (speculative) Aircraft 2 BN-2A Islander (1 operational PCG 251, 1 non-operational PCG 684) 2 BO-105C (1 operational PCG 163, 1 non-operational PCG 1636) 1 Cessna Golden Eagle 421-B (registered as RP-C1242, not yet commissioned) Deletions 19?? - Bataan, Catanduanes, Tirad Pass thanks to the JICA website for most of the info. Back to top Last modified on 11/06/11  |
Best Viewed with Internet Explorer 4.0 &
up at 1024 x 768 resolution |