PUNONGHIMPILAN TANOD BAYBAYIN NG PILIPINAS Coast Guard Public Information Office 139 25th Street, Port Area, 1081

Manila

PRESS RELEASE 03 March 2010 PCG Through the Years Being the oldest humanitarian armed service of the country, the Philippine Coast Guard prides itself of rich legacies that can be traced back from its inception at the start of the 20th century. When the Americans came in 1898, one of the first steps undertaken by the Military Government was the reopening of the port and customs facilities of Manila. The Insular Government through the Philippine Commission enacted on October 17, 1901 a law creating the Bureau of Coast Guard and Transportation. The Bureau was placed under the Department of Commerce and Police. The Lighthouse Service was made an integral part of the Bureau. A year after its creation, a coast guard fleet of fifteen steamers built in China and Japan, were acquired. The ships were then assigned for the lighthouse service, and for other missions such as, in support of the inspection trips of top government officials, transport to Culion, seaborne patrols against illegal entry of aliens, and support to the troop movements of the Philippine Constabulary. When the Bureau of Coast Guard and Transportation was abolished under Philippine Commission Act No. 1407 on October 26, 1905, its functions were taken over by the Bureau of Navigation. This bureau was authorized to create a commissioned and enlisted service within the agency, and to adopt its own Manual of Court Martial patterned after the U.S. Navy. When the Bureau of Navigation was abolished on December 19, 1913, its powers and functions including properties, equipment, and personnel, were transferred to the Bureau of Customs and the Bureau of Public Works. During the Commonwealth era, the Bureau of Customs succeeded in maintaining a well-trained and disciplined uniformed service force manning the Coast Guard cutters and lighthouses. In the early years of the Philippine Republic, the Philippine Naval Patrol, which eventually became the Philippine Navy, was created and in effect, absorbed some of the Coast Guard functions. In 1948, the Revenue Cutter Service and the Lighthouse Service were transferred to the Philippine Naval Patrol. On August 6, 1967, Congress

enacted a law creating a national coast guard service, which is now known as the Philippine Coast Guard. The PCG was placed as a major unit of the Philippine Navy under a flag officer. It was while under the Philippine Navy that the Philippine Coast Guard acquired or developed its customs and traditions, discipline, seagoing skills and competence, and dedication to be of service to the country. By virtue of Republic Act No. 5173, the PCG was activated on October 10, 1967 and the coast guard functions of the Bureau of Customs were transferred back to the PCG, with the Board of Marine Inquiry in addition. In view of the clamor to separate the Coast Guard from the Department of National Defense, Executive Order No. 475 was issued on March 30, 1998 Transferring the Philippine Coast Guard from the Department of National Defense to the Office of the President. The Executive Order provides inter alia that the PCG shall continue to be the agency primarily responsible for the promotion of safety of life and property at sea and the protection of the marine environment. Subsequently, after a short transition period, Executive Order No. 477 was issued on April 15, 1998, providing for the transfer of the PCG from the Office of the President to the Department of Transportation and Communications. The transformation of the PCG into a non-military organization has a tremendous positive impact and far-reaching significance as it continues to undertake various humanitarian missions. After 12 years since the transfer of the PCG from the DND to the DOTC, the 14th Congress paved the way for the enactment of the Coast Guard Law of 2009. On February 12, 2010, Her Excellency President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo signed Republic Act No. 9993, an act establishing the Philippine Coast Guard as an armed and uniformed service attached to the Department of Transportation and Communications, thereby repealing Republic Act No. 5173, as amended, and for other purposes. Under the new Law, the PCG has the following core functional areas; Maritime Search and Rescue. Under this function, the PCG has recently organized the Deployable Response Group which is ready to be deployed at a moments notice in time of maritime emergencies 24/7. Under the DRG, among others is the Specialized Medical Assistance Rescue Team (SMART) whose members are especially trained in providing medical aid to people in distress. Maritime Safety which is parallel to the seaworthiness of every vessel leaving the ports is ensured through the intensified conduct of Mandatory Pre-departure Inspection, Emergency Readiness Evaluation and Operational Readiness Evaluation, vessel safety inspections, and publication of Notice to Mariners, among others. Additionally, by operating and/or maintaining Vessel Traffic Management Systems (VTMS) and 563 aids to navigation around the country which guides mariners to their safe voyage.

The PCG devotes a major part of its resources likewise to guarantee the cleanliness and richness of Philippine waters. With its marine environmental protection function, the PCG implements all possible efforts in preventing oils and other pollutants in contaminating our countrys pristine seas. The long arm of the law has been extended to catch up with smugglers, poachers, illegal fishers, and drugs, firearms and human traffickers. In maritime law enforcement, the PCG enforcers composed of the Special Operations Group (SOG), K9 Units and other operating forces are always on the guard and ready to address such criminal acts and other maritime threats. Vigilance in preventing, threats, hazards, and dangers within our ports and coastal waters will always be one of the important tasks of the PCG in collaboration with other cognizant agencies. In ensuring maritime security, the CG Fleet, CG Sea Marshal Teams, K9 Unit, Anti-Terrorist Unit, and other operating forces are always ready and alert in protecting people, properties and other users of the sea. Inevitably, modernization and development also brought to the entire maritime industry various maritime challenges and threats such as terrorism, piracy, and other transnational crimes. It has also made a great effect to Mother Nature which resulted to the greatest global challenge that all nations are all experiencing today, and that is Climate Change. The PCG on its part, enhanced its capabilities through the following long term and short term programs such as the Infrastructure Development to include the PCG Command Center which paved the way for effective monitoring of maritime activities and enhanced coordination of CG operations on a 24/7 basis. Development of CG Base in Taguig where the CG Training Facility is located, as well as the CG K9 Unit Headquarters, CG Library and Computer Laboratory. Soon, CG Support Bases will also be developed in Mactan, Cebu and Laguindingan, Northern Mindanao. Similar to this, a Search and Rescue Base will also be constructed in Romblon. To enhance the efficiency of personnel, the PCG has also embarked on various Human Resource Development programs through the conduct of aggressive Training and Recruitment Program and Gender and Development Program. To assist the PCG in the performance of its mandated functions are the dedicated and hardworking volunteers of the Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary. Furthermore, to strengthen the PCGs response capability, the PCG has programmed the acquisition of additional and more credible surface and air assets and other peculiar equipment.

In the PCGs continuing service to the nation, Admiral Wilfredo D Tamayo, Commandant of the PCG, advocates the implementation of the PCG 4Ps namely, Presence, Preparedness, Partnership, and Professionalism in its multi-pronged mission and that is, To promote safety of life and property at sea, safeguard the marine environment and resources, enforce all applicable laws within the Philippine waters, and conduct maritime security operations and other activities in support of national development. The PCG expresses its wholehearted gratitude for the passage of the PCG Law of 2009 to Her Excellency President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, and Honorable Secretary Leandro R Mendoza and Undersecretary for Maritime Transport General Thompson C Lantion of the Department of Transportation and Communications for the strong backing, assistance and support, the distinguished Senators led by Honorable Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile and Representatives led by House Speaker Prospero C Nograles of the 14th Congress with special acknowledgement to the members of the Bicameral Conference Committee composed of Senator Rodolfo G Biazon Chairman, Senate Committee on National Defense and Security, and Members: Senator Pia S Cayetano, Senator Richard J Gordon, Senator Gregorio B Honasan II, and Senator Joker P Arroyo, Congressman Monico O Puentevella Chairman of the House Committee on Transportation and Communications, and Members: Congressman Eleandro Jesus F Madrona, Congressman Nur G Jaafar, Congressman Edcel C Lagman, Congressman Rozzano Rufino B Biazon, Congressman Abraham Kahlil B Mitra, Congressman Mark Llandro L Mendoza, Congressman Salvador H Escudero III and Congressman Roilo S Golez for the enactment of Republic Act 9993. As a gesture of gratitude for the enactment of RA 9993, the PCG will hold a simple thanksgiving ceremony with DOTC Secretary Leandro R Mendoza as Guest of Honor and Keynote Speaker on March 03, 2010 at the Headquarters of the Philippine Coast Guard in Port Area, Manila. Secretary Leandro R Mendoza will lead the mass oath taking of PCG personnel in their pledge of allegiance and renewal of commitment to the Coast Guard service. The highlights of the thanksgiving celebration are the Mass Oath Taking of the PCG officers and men, Unveiling of Marker, and the Launching of Coast Guard Command Center ISO QMS. The PCG also invites the public to the open house on board BRP PAMPANGA (SARV-003) and the PCG Command Center. The Philippine Coast Guard has identified the Coast Guard Command Center Quality Management System to be eventually certified to ISO 9001:2008 Standards. With the enactment of RA 9993, the PCG envisions to be able to serve the nation with even more zest by ensuring safe, clean, and secure maritime environment.