by Edg Adrian A. Eva, Correspondent
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) frequently grabs attention for its visibility and assertion of the nation’s rights over the West Philippine Sea (WPS). Some may know them from ports, overseeing crowds and guaranteeing safety for travelers. However, aside from these noticeable functions—what do we truly understand about these uniformed officers dressed in navy blue and white?
Comprising over 30,000 members, the PCG operates as an armed and uniformed maritime force under the Department of Transportation (DOTr).
The organization is obligated to enforce maritime security, implement maritime regulations, ensure safety, carry out search and rescue missions, and safeguard the marine ecosystem.
As the Holy Week rush arrives, the PCG is on high alert to fulfill its responsibilities for the projected 1.73 million travelers navigating various ports across the country from April 14 to 20.
The PCG announced in a statement that they will provide 24/7 assistance, conduct passenger safety checks, perform baggage screenings, and inspect vessels prior to departure this year, collaborating with multiple stakeholders, including the Philippine Ports Authority and the Maritime Industry Authority.
Bataan, home to some of the nation’s economically vital ports, is also gearing up for the Holy Week rush.
Ensign Jesus S Mandi, Deputy Commander of Coast Guard Station Bataan, informed BusinessWorld that they have augmented their personnel and intensified preparations in expectation of the anticipated influx of visitors during Holy Week.
“We are readying our life-saving equipment… we are deploying our personnel to the beach resorts and establishing posts there to monitor the area,” Mr. Mandi remarked during an interview in Filipino while overseeing a pre-departure vessel inspection at Camaya Coast, Bataan, last month.
Vessel Inspection
To ensure traveler safety, the PCG conducts pre-departure inspections on every passenger vessel.
BusinessWorld observed this firsthand during an operation last month with vessel inspector Probationary Ensign Reynaldo Y Enriquez and his team, as they examined the MV XGC Explorer, a passenger vessel docked at Camaya Coast, Bataan at that time.
“We carry out pre-departure inspections to confirm that the vessels comply with safety standards… and to avert the accidents that have occurred in the past,” Mr. Enriquez stated in Filipino during an interview.
Mr. Enriquez mentioned that pre-departure inspections generally commence an hour prior to a vessel’s scheduled departure, starting with the team requesting authorization from the captain.
In accordance with Memorandum Circular No. 07-2012, Mr. Enriquez assessed the vessel’s documents, including its safety certifications, to confirm everything was current and that the vessel was safe for departure.
The team also scrutinized the vessel’s navigation and control systems to verify that they were operational.
Proceeding from the vessel’s bridge, Mr. Enriquez continued to check vessel’s life-saving gear—such as life jackets, lifeboats, emergency signals and lights, and flotation devices—to ensure they were sufficient andfunctioning seamlessly.
The ship examination also encompasses the confined and heated area of the vessel’s engine, verifying its soundness and that a spare engine is accessible in case of an emergency.
Additionally, beyond the vital components of the vessel, Mr. Enrique mentioned that the PCG also evaluates the crew’s welfare and their interactions in the workplace.
“Because sometimes, there can be disputes on a vessel. If there are disputes, it becomes challenging to operate,” Mr. Enriquez remarked in Filipino during an interview.
Included in the pre-departure inspection squad was Coast Guard Working Dog ‘Harold,’ a 6-year-old Belgian Malinois, partnering with his handler, Petty Officer Third Class Jason A Cajilig.
“We evaluate the entire ship by scanning bags and luggage, along with checking passengers to see if they possess explosives, drugs, or any illegal materials,” Mr. Cajilig stated in a blend of English and Filipino during an interview.
Upon successfully passing all inspections, the vessel is approved for departure. If any shortcomings are identified, they will be subject to fines and penalties as detailed in the memorandum
At that moment, the MV XGC Explorer received the green light to depart, a moment Mr. Enriquez and the rest of the team view as a gratifying aspect of their responsibilities, ensuring passengers’ safety.
“It’s rewarding to hear civilians express, ‘Sir, we feel safe when you’re present’,” Mr. Enriquez mentioned in Filipino during an interview.
This degree of discipline does not occur by chance—it’s the product of intensive training initiatives that every member of the PCG must complete prior to being assigned to field duties.
PCG Training
Rodney P Gonzales, a cadet from Class 31-2025 “Charlie” at the Regional Training Center (RTC) Bataan, enlisted in the Philippine Coast Guard motivated by a desire to serve his nation.
As a practicing attorney, he intends to foster a positive transformation in the law enforcement within the PCG.
“The challenging conditions in the WPS… They are confronted with numerous obstacles, particularly in safeguarding our marine territories—not just our marine territories, but also in enforcing customs regulations and other significant laws,” Mr. Gonzales remarked during an interview at RTC Bataan last month.
Mr. Gonzales is among 130 trainees from the combined Class Alpha and Class Charlie, currently undergoing the boot camp stage of their four-month training schedule.
Ensign John Paolo R Bautista, Course Director for Charlie, conveyed to BusinessWorld that the boot camp stage prioritizes the development of leadership capabilities and instilling disciplined military traits.
“Here, we aim to remove them from their comfort zone. We must instruct them on swift movement, how to execute 10-count exercises, how to bathe in under 30 seconds, and how to eat within 10 seconds,” Mr. Bautista explained in a blend of English and Filipino during an interview.
“There’s a significant difference between their previous selves and their current experiences in training, which will equip them for the future as Coast Guards.”
The siren blares as early as 4:00 am, signaling that the trainees must be outdoors for intensive morning calisthenics, which involve a series of push-ups, squats, and running.
Following morning mess (breakfast), morning colors, and body conditioning, at that time, the trainees transitioned to swimming training, emphasizing basic breathing techniques and swimming strokes.
The schedule remains consistent throughout the day, often endured under the intense heat of the sun, concluding at 22:00 military time.
For Mr. Gonzales, letting go of his civilian habits and mindset proves to be the most challenging aspect of the training. Nevertheless, he maintains ‘high spirits’ to progress, contemplating the future for his child with his spouse and his aspiration to serve in the PCG.
Achieving the navy blue and white uniform is no simple task, yet Mr. Bautista emphasized that with persistence and adaptability, anything is achievable.
