Government steps up maritime security operations, establishes national coast watch system
President Benigno S. Aquino III has expanded the country’s naval security operations to preserve the Philippine territory and protect its people and resources from maritime threats.
Executive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa Jr. said on Sunday that the President signed on September 6 Executive Order No. 57, which called for the creation of the National Coast Watch System (NCWS), an initiative of the Department of National Defense (DND) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).
According to Ochoa, who also chairs the Cabinet Security Cluster, the NCWS will serve as the central inter-agency mechanism for a more coordinated approach on maritime issues and maritime security operations to enhance governance of the country’s maritime domain.
EO 57 expanded the scope of the Coast Watch South, primarily tasked to provide maritime security operations in Southern Philippines, to cover the entire archipelago. The presidential issuance also effectively abolished the Commission on Maritime and Ocean Affairs (CMOA) created by virtue of EO No. 612 issued in 2007.
“In issuing EO 57, the President emphasizes the government’s firm commitment to prioritize maritime security in the country, especially in the face of maritime challenges and threats such as terrorism, transnational crimes, drug and firearms trafficking, smuggling, human trafficking, climate change, illegal fishing, marine environment degradation and other security concerns,” Ochoa pointed out.
The new EO harmonizes the policies, programs and activities on intelligence work, border control, interdiction and law enforcement of several government agencies such as the Philippine Navy, the Philippine Coast Guard and the Philippine National Police-Maritime Group, among others, for better maritime governance, Ochoa added.
Under EO 57, the National Coast Watch Council (NCWC) shall be established and chaired by the Executive Secretary, with the secretaries of the DND and the Departments of Transportation and Communications (DoTC), Foreign Affairs (DFA), the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Justice (DoJ), Energy (DoE), Finance (DoF), Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and Agriculture (DA) as members.
As the central inter-agency body, the NCWC will be in charge of formulating strategic direction and policy guidance for the NCWS, specifically on maritime security operations and multinational and cross-border cooperation on maritime security. The Council will also take over the mandate and functions of the CMOA.
The President directed the council to conduct periodic reviews of maritime security operations and submit periodic reports to the President and the National Security Council (NSC), and recommend policies and procedures in managing and securing the country’s maritime domain.
The chairperson is mandated to convene the NCWC at least twice a year or as often as deemed necessary and appropriate.
Technical and administrative assistance and support, including consultative research and administrative services, will be provided by the Coast Watch Council Secretariat, which will be headed by an Executive Director to be appointed by the NCWC head upon the recommendation of the council.
A National Coast Watch Center, headed by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), shall also be established under EO 57 to implement and coordinate maritime security operations in accordance with the strategic direction and policy guidance to be issued by the council.
Manpower, equipment and material support to the National Coast Watch Center shall be provided by the PCG, the Philippine Navy, the Philippine National Police-Maritime Group, National Prosecution Service of the DoJ, Bureau of Customs, Bureau of Immigration, National Bureau of Investigation, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, and the Philippine Center on Transnational Crime.
The initial funding of P20 million for the NCWS will come from the Special Account in the General Fund of the DoE, and thereafter be incorporated in the General Appropriations Act for funding.
EO 57, however, allows the council and the center to accept donations, contributions or grants from domestic or foreign sources subject to government accounting and auditing rules and regulations.
Initially, the council is directed to submit within 90 days from the issuance of EO 57 a report to the President on the implementation of the directive.(PCOO)
President Benigno S. Aquino III has expanded the country’s naval security operations to preserve the Philippine territory and protect its people and resources from maritime threats.
Executive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa Jr. said on Sunday that the President signed on September 6 Executive Order No. 57, which called for the creation of the National Coast Watch System (NCWS), an initiative of the Department of National Defense (DND) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).
According to Ochoa, who also chairs the Cabinet Security Cluster, the NCWS will serve as the central inter-agency mechanism for a more coordinated approach on maritime issues and maritime security operations to enhance governance of the country’s maritime domain.
EO 57 expanded the scope of the Coast Watch South, primarily tasked to provide maritime security operations in Southern Philippines, to cover the entire archipelago. The presidential issuance also effectively abolished the Commission on Maritime and Ocean Affairs (CMOA) created by virtue of EO No. 612 issued in 2007.
“In issuing EO 57, the President emphasizes the government’s firm commitment to prioritize maritime security in the country, especially in the face of maritime challenges and threats such as terrorism, transnational crimes, drug and firearms trafficking, smuggling, human trafficking, climate change, illegal fishing, marine environment degradation and other security concerns,” Ochoa pointed out.
The new EO harmonizes the policies, programs and activities on intelligence work, border control, interdiction and law enforcement of several government agencies such as the Philippine Navy, the Philippine Coast Guard and the Philippine National Police-Maritime Group, among others, for better maritime governance, Ochoa added.
Under EO 57, the National Coast Watch Council (NCWC) shall be established and chaired by the Executive Secretary, with the secretaries of the DND and the Departments of Transportation and Communications (DoTC), Foreign Affairs (DFA), the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Justice (DoJ), Energy (DoE), Finance (DoF), Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and Agriculture (DA) as members.
As the central inter-agency body, the NCWC will be in charge of formulating strategic direction and policy guidance for the NCWS, specifically on maritime security operations and multinational and cross-border cooperation on maritime security. The Council will also take over the mandate and functions of the CMOA.
The President directed the council to conduct periodic reviews of maritime security operations and submit periodic reports to the President and the National Security Council (NSC), and recommend policies and procedures in managing and securing the country’s maritime domain.
The chairperson is mandated to convene the NCWC at least twice a year or as often as deemed necessary and appropriate.
Technical and administrative assistance and support, including consultative research and administrative services, will be provided by the Coast Watch Council Secretariat, which will be headed by an Executive Director to be appointed by the NCWC head upon the recommendation of the council.
A National Coast Watch Center, headed by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), shall also be established under EO 57 to implement and coordinate maritime security operations in accordance with the strategic direction and policy guidance to be issued by the council.
Manpower, equipment and material support to the National Coast Watch Center shall be provided by the PCG, the Philippine Navy, the Philippine National Police-Maritime Group, National Prosecution Service of the DoJ, Bureau of Customs, Bureau of Immigration, National Bureau of Investigation, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, and the Philippine Center on Transnational Crime.
The initial funding of P20 million for the NCWS will come from the Special Account in the General Fund of the DoE, and thereafter be incorporated in the General Appropriations Act for funding.
EO 57, however, allows the council and the center to accept donations, contributions or grants from domestic or foreign sources subject to government accounting and auditing rules and regulations.
Initially, the council is directed to submit within 90 days from the issuance of EO 57 a report to the President on the implementation of the directive.(PCOO)
Malacanang urges consumers to alert DTI on overpriced goods
Mindful that the prices of basic commodities may be affected by the impending increases in the prices of oil and other petroleum products, Malacañang on Sunday urged the general public to alert the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) at once if ever they find businessmen who will take undue advantage of the situation.
Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte said in an interview over dzRB (Radyo ng Bayan) that consumers may file complaints directly to the DTI if the goods they would purchase have been overpriced or did not conform to the standard retail prices set by the trade officials.
Valte said the DTI has the job to ensure that any price increases to be imposed by businessmen are “reasonable” so that any form of abuse such as hoarding products and other illegal practices to increase their profit will be avoided.
“Ang pakiusap lang din po natin sa ating mga kababayan ay kung mayroon po kayong mga nabibilhan ng mga basic commodities na nakikita po ninyong mahal o hindi po talaga sapat ‘yung…o hindi po naaayon sa presyo doon sa sinasabi ng DTI, i-report po natin para mapuntahan po agad at magawan po ng kaukulang aksyon,” Valte reminded the public.
Valte said the DTI’s manpower to monitor the price increases in various markets nationwide is basically limited hence it would be better if the public will cooperate and report their concerns to the department’s hotline so that they can be addressed immediately.
The DTI through its Bureau of Trade Regulation and Consumer Protection may be contacted at: (+632) 751-0384) for inquiries on consumer-related policies, according to its website.
For consumer welfare complaints and arbitration matters, the public may contact DTI-National Capital Region (NCR) at: (+632) 811-8231). Those residing in provincial and regional areas, meanwhile, may visit the nearest DTI regional and provincial offices.
President Benigno S. Aquino III is expected to have a dialogue with the leaders of various transport sectors soon and listen to their concerns but no specific date for that occasion has been set yet, Valte said.
She, however, assured that every active transport group is invited, even those that fall under the category of ‘militants’. “Wala naman pong nabanggit na mayroon pong mae-exclude. Ang binigay po sa ating abiso ay mga lider po lahat ng transport groups,” she said.
The Palace official underscored that the government is “not helpless” in facing this kind of situation which is why the President called for a meeting with the leaders of the transport groups.
Valte, nonetheless, mentioned that there is nothing wrong if the general public will exercise frugality during this period which is already being practiced by the government.(PCOO)
