505th COAST GUARD AUXILIARY SQUADRON
PUERTO GALERA, ORIENTAL MINDORO
PHILIPPINES

Maritime Search and Rescue (MARSAR):  the PCG maintains a 24-hour distress monitoring, response and relief activities in aid of persons or vessels in distress at sea. The Command obtains information about the distress or incident then disseminates it to nearby units capable of providing initial assistance, and immediately launches its own search and rescue operations.

Marine Environmental Protection (MAREP): is responsible for maritime oil pollution prevention, mitigation and control through the conduct of marine pollution monitoring and control, operation and the enhancement of PCG capability in oil spill response operations and enforcement of all applicable marine environmental laws and regulations.

Maritime Safety Administration (MARSAF): one function of the PCG is to ensure the seaworthiness of the vessels plying the waters through the conduct of Port State Control inspection of foreign vessels, among others.

Maritime Operations (MARSEC):  to protect our ports, harbors and coastal waters and exercise control of shipping, maritime communications and strategic port facilities in time of emergency. Another significant function under maritime operations is the enhancement of community affairs activities, particularly through the development and involvement of the 19,000-strong Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary and Sea Scouts.

The PCG’s area of responsibility covers a maritime area of 2,795,962 sq km, a stretch of 35,000 km of coastlines, which is twice longer than that of the United States, 7,107 islands and with a large portion of the populace that relies heavily on maritime commerce. More than a million vessels of various types traverse the Philippine seas annually while 98 percent of domestic trade depends on sea transport. Despite limited manpower, the PCG was able to perform its mandated functions.

Maritime Law Enforcement (MARLEN):  functions particularly with anti-smuggling, anti-piracy, illegal fishing, illegal entry, illegal logging, laws on dangerous drugs and other applicable laws as stipulated in the Memorandum Of Agreement among the 21 other government agencies.