Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary

Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary
Seal of the Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary
FoundedFebruary 9, 1972 (1972-02-09)
Country Philippines
BranchPhilippine Coast Guard
TypeVolunteer uniformed auxiliary service
Role
Size5,000 volunteers
Commanders
Commandant of the Coast GuardAdmiral Ronnie Gil Gavan

The Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary (PCGA) is a volunteer civilian organization which is under the direct control and supervision of the commandant of the Philippine Coast Guard.

History

The Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary (PCGA) was established on February 9, 1972. On that date during a gathering at the Philippine Navy Officers' Club commemorating the Philippine Navy Day, the Coast Guard Commandant announced the intention of the Navy Flag Officer-in-Command to form a civilian volunteer unit to assist the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG). The attendants of the gathering supported the plan including the members of the Manila Yacht Club leading to the formation of what was later known as the PCGA.[1]

The current iteration of the PCGA is institutionalized by Republic Act No. 9993 or the PCG Law of 2009.[1]

Role and function

Rescue boat and personnel of the Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary at the 2013 Paraw Regatta, Villa Beach, Villa de Arevalo, Iloilo City

The PCGA assists the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) but is not directly part of the PCG. This includes assistance in relief and search and rescue operations.[2]

Membership

PCGA members are uniformed volunteers. However, they are not commissioned officers or enlisted personnel of the PCG and therefore had distinct uniforms and insignia from the regular coast guard. Since the PCGA often is involved in search and rescue operations, its members include boat and shipping company owners. Previously the PCGA was open to foreign citizens. As of 2018, there were no perceived security threat at the time. However, the PCGA made its vetting process stricter in 2025.[3][4][5]

Since Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan's assumption as PCG commandant in 2023, PCGA members are required to secure national clearances. In 2024, there are about 5,000 PCGA members.[6]

Prominent Filipino Coast Guard Auxiliaries

References

  1. ^ a b Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary Regulations Manual (PDF) (2012 ed.). Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary. Retrieved August 31, 2025.
  2. ^ "Malacañang, tiniyak na walang banta mula sa Chinese na nakapasok Coast Guard Auxiliary" [Malacañang, made sure that there is no threat from the Chinese who have inflitrated the Coast Guard Auxiliary]. RMN Networks (in Filipino). August 29, 2025. Retrieved August 31, 2025.
  3. ^ "PCG cites foreign agents' 'creeping intrusion' in PH infra". Philippine Daily Inquirer. August 27, 2025. Retrieved August 31, 2025.
  4. ^ Bacelonia, Wilnard (August 27, 2025). "PCG tightens vetting process for auxiliary members". Philippine News Agency. Retrieved August 31, 2025.
  5. ^ Crisostomo, Sheila (March 21, 2024). "36 Chinese served in PCG auxiliary, House told". The Philippine Star. Retrieved August 31, 2025.
  6. ^ Aurelio, Julie; Subingsubing, Krixia (March 22, 2024). "Chinese in PCG reserve force 'not spies, hackers'". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved August 31, 2025.
  7. ^ Macairan, Evelyn (July 17, 2024). "Liza Marcos joins PCG Auxiliary". The Philippine Star. Retrieved August 31, 2025.
  8. ^ Ferreras, Vince Angelo (October 23, 2025). "Larry Gadon takes oath as PCG auxiliary rear admiral". GMA News Online. Retrieved December 1, 2025.
  9. ^ "Lucy Torres Gomez Coast Guard Executive Squadron". PEP.ph. October 10, 2022. Retrieved November 21, 2025.
  10. ^ a b c "LOOK: Philippine Coast Guard names Matteo Guidicelli, Erwan Heussaff, Nico Bolzico as newly inducted officers". ABSCBN. March 18, 2019. Retrieved November 21, 2025.
  11. ^ a b c Ganal, FM (March 22, 2019). "Matteo Guidicelli, Nico Bolzico, Erwan Heussaff join Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary". PEP.ph. Retrieved November 21, 2025.
  12. ^ "Why Diether Ocampo is not inviting other celebs to join PH Coast Guard Auxiliary". ABS-CBN News. September 19, 2019. Retrieved August 31, 2025.
  13. ^ Canlas, Jomar (September 12, 2021). "Gerald Anderson, 3 PCG officers promoted". The Manila Times. Retrieved August 31, 2025.
  14. ^ "LOOK: Julia Barretto joins Gerald Anderson in Coast Guard Auxilliary K9 Squadron". DZRH. September 2, 2021. Retrieved November 21, 2025.
  15. ^ "PCG welcomes 2020 Olympians into the Coast Guard service". Philippine Coast Guard. August 19, 2021. Retrieved December 1, 2025.
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