NIGHT OWL 
I started the year 2023 wearing something I am very proud of — the Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary (PCGA) uniform.
Last Jan. 2, I was formally inducted as Auxiliary Commodore (one-star rank) of the PCGA Executive Squadron. I took my oath to carry out PCGA’s mission before Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Commandant Admiral Artemio Abu. It was fulfilling to start the year renewing my dedication to public service by becoming part of the PCGA.
To be a “Tanod Baybayin ng Pilipinas” is something I have been looking forward to because I have so much respect for the PCG and the work that they do. They are referred to as the country’s humanitarian armed service, that is why Coast Guardians really have a heart for service.
The PCG carries a very important mandate of protecting our seas, which is very essential for an archipelagic country like ours. They ensure maritime safety, secure our maritime territory, and protect our marine environment. They have a noble duty of saving not only human lives, but also marine life.
As part of their maritime security functions, the PCG acts as the guardian of peace and order in all ships and seas of the Philippines. They do maritime patrols and surveillance, and secure exploration and resource utilization activities within the country’s maritime jurisdiction. They also ensure law enforcement within Philippine territorial waters.
To ensure maritime environmental protection, the PCG does marine pollution monitoring and control; oil pollution, prevention, mitigation and control; oil spill response operations; and enforce marine environmental laws and regulations.
It is also a reliable organization not only in search and rescue operations during maritime disasters, but also in disaster rescue and relief operations as a whole.
Meanwhile, the PCGA was organized as a civilian volunteer organization under the direct supervision of the PCG Commandant. The PCGA assists the PCG in the promotion of safety of life and property at sea, and other humanitarian and outreach activities, such as coastal cleanups, mangrove planting, bloodletting activities, medical and dental mission, among others.
Now, as member of the PCGA, my commitment is to help the PCG realize its vision to be a world class guardian of the sea committed to save lives, ensure safe maritime transport, cleaner seas, and secure maritime jurisdiction.