(a) To enforce or assist in the enforcement of all applicable laws upon the high seas and waters subject to the jurisdiction of the Republic of the Philippines;

(b) To enforce laws, promulgate and administer regulations for the promotion of safety of life and property within the maritime jurisdiction of the Philippines; and

(c) To develop, establish, maintain and operate, with due regard to the requirements of national defense, aids to maritime navigation and rescue facilities for the promotion of safety on and over the high seas and waters. subject to the jurisdiction of the Philippines.

(a) To prevent and suppress illegal entry, smuggling, other customs frauds and violations of other maritime laws that may be committed within the waters subject to the jurisdiction of the Republic of the Philippines, and for this purpose surveillance by the Philippine Coast Guard may be made on vessels entering and/or leaving Philippine territory;

(b) To assist in the suppression of fishing by means of dynamite, explosives or toxic substances or other methods as may be declared destructive by the proper authorities;

(c)To promulgate and enforce rules for lights, signals, speed, steering, sailing, passing, anchorage, movement and towlines of vessels and lights and signals on bridges;

(d)To approve plans for the construction, repair, or alteration of vessels; approve materials, equipment and appliances of vessels; approve the classification of vessels; inspect vessels and their equipment and appliances; register all types of motorized watercraft plying in Philippine waters; issue certificates of inspection and of permits indicating the approval of vessels for operation; issue certificates of Philippine registry of vessels; administer load line requirements; promulgate and enforce other provisions for the safety of life and property on vessels; and  determine the numbering of undocumented vessels: Provided, That certification and approval of any plans, equipment and any vessel by internationally known classification societies which are recognized by the Philippine Government shall be deemed to have complied with this section;

(e)To issue licenses and certificates to officers, pilots, major and minor patrons and seamen, as well as suspend and revoke such licenses and certificates;

(f) To investigate marine casualties and disasters including those arising from marine protests filed with the Bureau of Customs relative to the liability of shipowners and officers;

(g) To enforce laws, rules and regulations governing manning, citizenship and mustering and drilling of crews requirements, control of logbooks, shipment, discharge, protection, and welfare of merchant seamen;

(h) To enforce laws requiring the performance of duties of shipowners and officers after accidents;

(i) To prescribe and enforce regulations for outfitting and operation of motorboats and the licensing of motorboat operators;

(j) To regulate regattas and marine parades;

(k) To render aid to distressed persons or vessels on the high seas and on waters subject to the jurisdiction of the Philippines, and, in this connection, the Philippine Coast Guard may perform any and all acts necessary to rescue and aid persons; furnish clothing, food, lodging, medicine and other necessary supplies and services to persons succored; protect, save, and take charge of all property saved from marine disasters until such property is delivered to persons authorized to receive it or is otherwise disposed of in accordance with law or applicable regulations; and collect and take charge of bodies of those who may perish in such disasters;

(l) To develop, establish, maintain, and operate aids to maritime navigation. In the performance of these functions, the Philippine Coast Guard is authorized to destroy or tow in port sunken or floating dangers to navigation;

(m) To supervise nautical schools with reference to activities relative to navigation, seamanship, marine en­gineering and other allied matters, in coordination with the Department of Education;

(n) To perform functions pertaining to maritime communications which are not specifically delegated to some other office or department; and

(o) To assist, within its capabilities and upon request of the appropriate authorities, other Government agencies in the performance of their functions, within the waters subject to the jurisdiction of the Philippines, relating to matters and activities not specifically mentioned in this section: Provided, That in the exercise of these functions, personnel of the Philippine Coast Guard shall be deemed to be acting as agents of the particular department, bureau, office, agency or instrumentality charged with the enforce­ment and administration of the particular law. Members of the Philippine Coast Guard are peace officers for all purposes of this Act and shall be, and shall act, as law enforcement agents of the Bureau of Customs, and the Bureau of Immigration, the Bureau of Internal Revenue, the Fisheries Commission, and such other departments, bureaus or offices in the enforcement of pertinent laws, rules and regulations.