President Arroyo has signed the Philippine Coast Guard Act to regulate and promote maritime safety standards as well as to boost the capacity of the PCG to address traditional and non-traditional challenges brought by effects of climate change, natural disasters, piracy, transnational crimes and terrorism.

The Coast Guard Act which formally transfers control of PCG from the Department of National Defense (DND) to the Department of Transportation and Communications (DoTC) was signed by the President last February 12, according to DoTC Secretary Leandro Mendoza.

Mendoza said the new law would strengthen the Coast Guard’s authority to enforce regulations on maritime safety standards within the country’s territorial waters.

PCG commandant Admiral Wilfredo Tamayo said that under the new law, coast guard boarding inspections would no longer be limited to cursory inspections of merchant vessels prior to departure but also to ensure compliance with maritime safety standards.

“It’s not just a mere inspection just like we what we are doing in the past, in which we were given limited time to inspect but with this enabling law, we can do a stricter inspection of ships to ensure the safety of passengers and the vessels,” Tamayo said.

Congress passed the law on December 9 following a string of sea tragedies last year. The law was co-authored by Sen. Rodolfo Biazon and Parañaque Rep. Roilo Golez.

The law formally declares the PCG as an armed and uniformed service under the umbrella of the Department of Transportation and Communication (DoTC) in times of peace.

However, the PCG would be placed under the direct command of the Department of National Defense (DND) in times of war, as declared by Congress.

The PCG authorities have also been waiting for the President to sign the bill, which they believe would boost their capacity to promote and protect the maritime environment.

In his statement posted at the PCG website, Tamayo noted that the passage of law would consequently pave the way for the resumption of PCG power and authority to conduct emergency readiness evaluation of merchant marine vessels.

“Moreover, the PCG will be empowered to detain, stop or prevent from sailing or leaving port all ship vessels noncompliant with safety standards, rules and regulations. An empowering clause bestows upon the PCG the authority to issue and enforce rules and regulations for the promotion of safety of life and property at sea on all maritime-related activities, subject to the approval of the DOTC Secretary,” he said.