Section 3. Powers and Functions. —
The PCG shall have the following powers and functions:
To enforce regulations in accordance with all relevant maritime international conventions, treaties or instruments and national laws for the promotion of safety of life and property at sea within the maritime jurisdiction of the Philippines and conduct port state control implementation;
To conduct inspections on all merchant ships and vessels, including but shall not be limited to inspections prior to departure, to ensure and enforce compliance with safety standards, rules and regulations;
To detain, stop or prevent a ship or vessel which does not comply with safety standards, rules and regulations from sailing or leaving port;
To conduct emergency readiness evaluation on merchant marine vessels;
Subject to the approval of the Secretary of the DOTC, to issue and enforce rules and regulations for the promotion of safety of life and property at sea on all maritime-related activities;
To coordinate, develop, establish, maintain and operate aids to navigation, vessel traffic system, maritime communications and search and rescue facilities within the maritime jurisdiction of the Philippines;
To remove, destroy or tow to port, sunken or floating hazards to navigation, including illegal fish traps and vessels, at or close to sea lanes which may cause hazard to the marine environment;
To issue permits for the salvage of vessels and to supervise all marine salvage operations, as well as prescribe and enforce rules and regulations governing the same;
To render aid to persons and vessels in distress and conduct search and rescue in marine accidents within the maritime jurisdiction of the Philippines, including the high seas, in accordance with applicable international conventions. In the performance of this function, the PCG may enlist the services of other government agencies and the merchant marine fleet;
To investigate and inquire into the causes of all maritime accidents involving death, casualties and damage to properties;
To assist in the enforcement and maintenance of maritime security, prevention or suppression of terrorism at sea, and performance of law enforcement functions in accordance with pertinent laws, rules and regulations;
To assist in the enforcement of laws on fisheries, immigration, tariff and customs, forestry, firearms and explosives, human trafficking, dangerous drugs and controlled chemicals, transnational crimes and other applicable laws within the maritime jurisdiction of the Philippines;
To board and inspect all types of merchant ships and watercrafts in the performance of its functions;
To enforce laws and promulgate and administer rules and regulations for the protection of marine environment and resources from offshore sources of pollution within the maritime jurisdiction of the Philippines;
To develop oil spill response, containment and recovery capabilities against ship-based pollution;
To grant, within its capabilities and consistent with its mandate, requests for assistance of other government agencies in the performance of their functions;
To organize, train and supervise the PCG Auxiliary (PCGA) for the purpose of assisting the PCG in carrying out its mandated functions; and
To perform such other functions that may be necessary in the attainment of the objectives of this Act.