IT WAS the Philippine Coast Guard’s (PCG) 121st anniversary on Wednesday, Oct. 19. That’s how long this government agency has been serving Filipinos. PCG commandant Adm. Artemio Abu announced that by year-end, the coastguard is expected to have 24,500 personnel who, by then, would have completed their training.
Come to think of this – every time there is a sea disaster, we focus our attention to the coastguard. Are the expectations for it to do well equal to the powers it is vested with?
The Philippine Coast Guard must enforce laws, promulgate and administer rules and regulations for the promotion and safety of life and property at sea and the protection of the marine environment and resources.
It must render aid to persons and vessels in distress and conduct search and rescued in case of marine accident within the maritime jurisdiction of the country. It must enforce and assist in the implementation of laws on fishery, immigration, tariff and customs, forestry, firearms and explosives, dangerous drugs, trafficking of women and children. It must enforce and assist in the maintenance of maritime law enforcement and security based on the applicable laws.
Legislators, especially, could provide real and enduring help by strengthening the Philippine Coast Guard law. At present, the coastguard exists in limbo. It is an attached service under the Department of Transportation but in times of war, as declared by Congress, it can – or parts of it – be attached to the Department of National Defense.
Is it possible to make the coastguard a separate and distinct uniformed commissioned service? Its stability and permanence as a distinct, sea-going, uniformed commissioned service can enable it to develop its own fleet and personnel.
How many personnel does the coastguard currently have? Are they enough to service a country with 7,100 islands?
According to a Philippine Daily Inquirer report, the PCG only had 8,500 members in 2016, but it conducted its biggest single enlistment in September this year and recruited 1,500 draftees. The enlistment boosts the agency’s aim to have 35,000 personnel to have enough manpower in addressing maritime challenges and increasing assets.
With more teeth, the coastguard will not have excuses for performing lousily.
