Transferring the Philippine Coast Guard from the Department of National Defense to the Office of the President and for Other Purposes

Case Overview and Summary

EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 475

Transfer of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) from the Department of National Defense to the Office of the President

- Rationale for Transfer (Section 1):
• To better pursue the PCG's mandate and the government's program to rationalize Philippine Maritime administration.
• To properly manage coordination with private sectors and different government agencies requiring PCG services.

- Powers and Functions of PCG (Section 2):
• PCG shall continue to be the agency primarily responsible for the promotion of safety of life at sea and the protection of the marine environment pursuant to RA 5173, PD 600, PD 601, PD 602, and PD 979 as amended.

- Implementing Requirements (Section 3):
• Creation of a Transition and Liquidation Committee composed of DOTC (Chairman), Philippine Navy, PCG, Department of Budget and Management, and Office of the President.
• The Committee shall recommend necessary plans and measures to effect the transfer within 60 days from the signing of this EO.
• The Committee shall undertake the appropriate inventory and disposition of all PCG properties.

- PCG Assets (Section 4):
• Current appropriations and assets under PCG's possession, supervision, and/or control shall be deemed PCG properties, including vessels, watercrafts, firearms, armaments, munitions, communications and electronic equipment, vehicles, buildings, real estate, and lighthouses.
• Such properties and their records are hereby transferred to the PCG.

- Appropriations (Section 5):
• Sums needed to carry out the provisions of this EO, which are appropriated for the PCG at the time of approval, shall continue to be carried in subsequent annual General Appropriations Act.
• Thereafter, the PCG shall prepare its own budget as a Key Budgetary Item (KBI).

- Pay, Allowances, and Retirement of Uniformed Personnel (Section 6):
• PCG uniformed personnel shall continue to receive the same base pay, longevity pay, and other allowances and benefits as authorized for corresponding grades and ranks in the AFP.
• PCG uniformed personnel shall continue to be covered by PD 1638 (AFP Retirement Law), as amended, until the PCG establishes its own retirement system under an agreed regime and timetable.

- Repealing Clause (Section 7):
• All Executive Orders, Rules and Regulations, or parts thereof, contrary to or inconsistent with this EO are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

- Effectivity (Section 8):
• This Executive Order shall take effect immediately.