What is Philippine Coast Guard?
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) (Filipino: Tanod Baybayin ng Pilipinas) is recognized as the third armed uniformed service of the country attached to the Philippines’ Department of Transportation, tasked primarily with enforcing laws within Philippine waters, conducting maritime security operations, safeguarding life and property at sea, and protecting marine environment and resources; similar to coast guard units around the world. In case of a declaration of war, the Coast Guard shall also serve as an attached service of the Department of National Defense.
In the country’s society and sovereignty, the Philippine Coast Guard plays a significant role. They conduct safety checks and guard our maritime resources while they patrol our waters. They risked their lives just to be able to carry out their duties, and for that they deserve countless commendations and advantageous advantages.
What is Philippine Navy?
The Philippine Navy (PN) (Tagalog: Hukbong Dagat ng Pilipinas), is the naval warfare service branch of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. The Philippine Navy (PN) organizes, trains, deploys, and maintains forces for the prompt and sustained naval and maritime operations in support of the United Commands in the accomplishment of the AFP mission.
The Philippines needs a strong and capable navy to protect its borders and territories from attacks from the sea because it is a country bordered by sizable bodies of water. The Philippine Navy steps in at this point. For naval operations and to protect our maritime borders, the Navy deploys and oversees uniformed personnel. The Philippine Navy training is not an easy task, and it is a heavy one.
What’s the Difference Between PCG and Philippine Navy?
The Philippine Coast Guard is mandated and responsible to perform maritime search and rescue, maritime law enforcement, maritime safety, marine environmental protection and maritime security. On the other hand, the Philippine Navy is to maintain, train and equip combat-ready naval forces capable of winning wars, deterring aggression and maintaining freedom of the seas.
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) is hereby established as a distinct, armed and uniformed commissioned service under the Department of National Defense. It shall be a separate unit under the Philippine Navy, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).
Ranks Classification
Philippine Coast Guard
The coast guard ranks in the Philippines are divided into two categories: commissioned officers and noncommissioned officers/enlisted. The ranks of the Philippine Coast Guard are as follows:
Commissioned officers
- Admiral
- Vice admiral
- Rear admiral
- Commodore
- Captain
- Commander
- Lieutenant commander
- Lieutenant senior grade
- Lieutenant (junior grade)
- Ensign
Noncommissioned officers
- First master chief petty officer
- Master chief petty officer
- Senior chief petty officer
- Chief petty officer
- Petty officer, first class
- Petty officer, second class
- Petty officer, third class
- Seaman first class
- Seaman second class
- Seaman third class
Philippine Navy
The current AFP rank insignia is a modified version of the system used in 1954 to 1955. The ranks of the Philippine Navy are as follows:
Officers
- Admiral
- Vice-admiral
- Rear admiral
- Commodore
- Captain
- Commander
- Lieutenant commander
- Lieutenant
- Lieutenant (junior grade)
- Ensign
Enlisted personnel
- Master chief petty officer
- Senior chief petty officer
- Chief petty officer
- Petty officer first class
- Petty officer second class
- Petty officer third class
- Seaman first class
- Seaman second class
- Seaman apprentice
Philippines Coast Guard Salary Grade 2023
Commissioned Officers
| POSITION | SALARY |
|---|---|
| Admiral | Php 125,574 |
| Vice admiral | Php 114,235 |
| Rear admiral | Php 102,896 |
| Commodore | Php 91,058 |
| Captain | Php 80,583 |
| Commander | Php 71,318 |
| Lieutenant commander | Php 62,555 |
| Lieutenant senior grade | Php 56,582 |
| Lieutenant junior grade | Php 49,528 |
| Ensign | Php 43,829 |
Noncommissioned Officers
| POSITION | SALARY |
|---|---|
| First master petty officer | Php 38,366 |
| Master petty officer | Php 34,761 |
| Senior petty officer | Php 34,079 |
| Chief petty officer | Php 33,411 |
| Petty officer I | Php 32,756 |
| Petty officer II | Php 32,114 |
| Petty officer III | Php 31,484 |
| Seaman first class | Php 30,867 |
| Seaman second class | Php 30,261 |
| Seaman third class | Php 29,668 |
Coast guard seaman salaries are Php 30,000 per month in the Philippines, on average. A PCG captain’s salary is Php 80,583 per month.
Philippine Navy Salary Grade 2023
Salary scales for officers and enlisted personnel are based on rank. For instance, depending on rank, a captain’s pay may be different from a reservist’s. See the table below for the monthly basic salaries for the Philippine Navy:
Officers
| RANK | SALARY |
| Admiral | Php 125,574 |
| Vice-admiral | Php 114,235 |
| Rear admiral | Php 102,896 |
| Commodore | Php 91,058 |
| Captain | Php 80,583 |
| Commander | Php 71,313 |
| Lieutenant commander | Php 62,555 |
| Lieutenant | Php 56,582 |
| Lieutenant (junior grade) | Php 49,528 |
| Ensign | Php 48,829 |
Enlisted Personnel
| RANK | SALARY |
| Master chief petty officer | Php 34,761 |
| Senior chief petty officer | Php 34,079 |
| Chief petty officer | Php 33,411 |
| Petty officer, first class | Php 32,756 |
| Petty officer, second class | Php 32,114 |
| Petty officer, third class | Php 31,484 |
| Seaman first class | Php 30,867 |
| Seaman second class | Php 30,261 |
| Seaman apprentice | Php 29,668 |
Additionally, those who have finished the Naval Officer Candidate Course (NOCC) as a sailor will receive a Php 29,945 monthly salary for the ensign rank and additional monthly allowance of Php 5,750. Those who have finished the NOCC as a marine will receive a Php 32,375 for the second lieutenant rank and additional monthly allowance of Php 5,750.
Conclusion
Being a member of the Philippine Navy or the Philippine Coast Guard is not easy. You must prepare yourself physically and mentally, in addition to studying and training hard. However, it will all be worthwhile in the end because you will be able to serve your country while being fairly compensated.
Source: DIGIDO Philippines