Optimizing Maritime Safety: A Case Study of Annual General Inspections in Coast Guard District North Western Luzon

International Journal of Recent Innovations in Academic Research This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License [CC BY 4.0] E-ISSN: 2635-3040; P-ISSN: 2659-1561 Homepage: https://www.ijriar.com/ Volume-9, Issue-4, October-December-2025: 301-321 301 Research Article Optimizing Maritime Safety: A Case Study of Annual General Inspections in Coast Guard District North Western Luzon John Niko I. Anicete Master of Science in Criminal Justice (Specialization in Criminology), Graduate School, Philippine College of Criminology, 641 Sales Street, Sta. Cruz, Manila, Philippines Email: [email protected] Received: November 11, 2025 Accepted: December 03, 2025 Published: December 10, 2025 Abstract This study aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of the implementation of Philippine Coast Guard's core functions within the Coast Guard District North Western Luzon. Using a mixed research method and explanatory-sequential research design, the research identified the differences of the core functions of the guidelines and procedures for the Philippine Coast Guard implementation among the inspectors of the Philippine Coast Guard in District North Western Luzon Stations. Findings revealed that there was a wellimplemented level of implementation of the guidelines and procedures for the Philippine Coast Guard's core functions in terms of maritime safety, search and rescue, maritime security and law enforcement and marine environmental protection. Significant difference was found in terms of the regular safety inspections of lifesaving equipment like lifeboats and life vests and maritime security and law enforcement in terms of wellmaintained weapons and defense systems to support law enforcement activities and properly implemented the proper procedures for handling and detaining individuals involved in illegal activities. The challenges encountered by in terms of maritime safety and search and rescue includes lack of equipment and support, personnel shortage and communication problems. Challenges in terms of maritime security and law enforcement includes inter-agency coordination barriers, insufficient mod ern equipment and the need for training and drills while challenges in terms of marine environmental protection were lack of equipment for marine environmental response, gaps on environmental laws and weak marine protection partnership. Based on the results, the study suggested for a strengthened standard operating procedure that focuses on equipment modernization and maintenance, protocols on communication channels, interagency collaboration mechanisms and the provision of continuous drills and training for the PCG personnel. Keywords: Annual General Inspection, Maritime Safety, Search and Rescue, Maritime Security and Law Enforcement, Marine Environmental Protection. Introduction The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) main function is to protect and ensure the safety of the country against the entry of unauthorized foreign vessels into the Port State Control (PSC) of the country. In accordance to the Republic Act 9993 or the Act Establishing the Philippines Coast Guard as an Armed and Uniformed Service are mandated to enforce regulations following maritime international conventions and treaties approved by the government. This includes the assurance of MARSAF function to help prevent unnecessary loss of lives and properties at sea, to issue permits and supervises all marine salvage operations and to tow floating hazards such as illegal fish traps and vessels (coastguard.gov.ph). In the context of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the universal call to action to protect and ensure the planet’s peace and maritime is emphasized under In SDG 14 (life below water) and SDG 16 (peace, justice, and strong institutions). These goals highlighted the importance of sustainable maritime practices through maritime safety, security and environmental protection (undp.org). According to Linner et al., (2023), SDG 14 and SDG 16 needs to be understood to have an effective, transparent and successful ocean governance. The interactions of these two SDG’s are crucial in establishing the peace in the ocean realm. This will be possible by improving governance and enhancing the maritime agencies operational capabilities which is also covered under the Philippine Development Plan (PDP). This key document shapes the country’s policy direction specifically in maritime governance priorities of the Philippines which set clear strategic priorities focus on long-term sustainability and comprehensive governance (Ganadillo, 2023). International Journal of Recent Innovations in Academic Research 302 Moreover, this highlights the importance of ensuring maritime safety of PCG. This study aims to address research gaps on the evaluation of maritime safety focus on its various core functions, including search and rescue, law enforcement, environmental protection, and maritime security this research paper, titled "Optimizing Maritime Safety: A Case Study of Annual General Inspection in Coast Guard District North Western Luzon” seeks to evaluate the effectiveness of these core functions during the Annual General Inspections (AGI). By analyzing data from AGI, this study also aims to determine the challenges in ensuring maritime safety of PCG to propose a standard operating policy and procedure to improve the implementation and enforcement of maritime safety and overall operations of PCG District North Western Luzon. This study aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of the implementation of Philippine Coast Guard's core functions within the Coast Guard District North Western Luzon. By evaluating these, the research seeks to identify strengths, areas for improvement, and best practices. The insights gained from this evaluation can inform strategies to enhance overall operational effectiveness and efficiency, ensuring that the coast guard can better fulfill its mission of safeguarding maritime safety, security, and environmental protection. This study also aligned to the Philippine College of Criminology (PCCR) in terms of their commitment in research studies for the good of the public and the country. By exploring the evaluation of PCG implementation of maritime safety, also values the PCCR core values such as passion, integrity and excellence in providing innovation and improvement fostering growth, productivity and service efficiency. Literature Review The international and local maritime is governed by International Maritime Organization (IMO) to ensure maritime safety practices worldwide. The European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) and the US Coast Guard emphasized the need for vessel inspections and technological advancements in compliance with the protocols and regulatory standards. The enactment of the Coast Guard Law of 2009 also known as Republic Act No. 9993 and its Implementing Rules and Regulations, the Philippine Coast Guard has been vested with the necessary authority and responsibility to perform preventive measures in ensuring the safety of merchant vessels. PCG plays a pivotal role in enforcing maritime laws, conducting rescue operations, and ensuring environmental protection. The PCG's responsibilities include implementing national and international maritime safety regulations, which cover vessel inspections, crew certifications, pollution prevention measures, and search and rescue operations. The effectiveness of the PCG in these areas is critical to minimizing accidents and casualties at sea. This study aims to determine if vessels comply with safety standards, identify potential hazards, and enforce corrective actions. This process not only safeguards human lives but also protects the marine environment from pollution. A pertinent example is the oil spill in Oriental Mindoro when MT Princess Empress sank in early 2023, the MT Princess Empress, an oil tanker, sank off the coast of Oriental Mindoro, Philippines, causing a significant oil spill that damaged marine ecosystems and impacted local communities reliant on fishing and tourism. This incident revealed gaps in maritime safety regulations and enforcement and highlighted the need for improved emergency response mechanisms. Recommendations include strengthening vessel inspection protocols, enhancing crew training on safety procedures and emergency response, improving oil spill response plans and readiness, enforcing strict maritime regulations, and investing in technology for real-time monitoring and early hazard detection. The PDP 2023-2028 is a plan for deep economic and social transformation to reinvigorate job creation and accelerate poverty reduction by steering the economy back on a high-growth path. This growth must be inclusive, building an environment that provides equal opportunities to all Filipinos, and equipping them with skills to participate fully in an innovative and globally competitive economy. Enabling environment focus on the expand and upgrade infrastructure which consider the inaccessible and unsafe transport facilities under roads, waterways and others. Enabling economic transformation builds on sustainable, resilient, integrated, and modern infrastructure systems as a solid foundation. Anchored on the long-term vision, the government will steer the nation toward a future where movement of people and goods is safely and efficiently facilitated by adequate and accessible transportation. Filipinos are empowered through costeffective and reliable flow and exchange of information and are able to partake opportunities in the digital economy. Families have access to safe and adequate water and sanitation services; to reliable, clean, and affordable fuel and electricity; and to quality education, health, solid waste management, and other social infrastructure facilities. Communities and industries are served by green infrastructures that are not only adaptive and resilient against shocks and natural disturbances, but also contribute toward a low-carbon future. Another is the ensuring peace and security and enhance administration of justice. A secure and International Journal of Recent Innovations in Academic Research 303 peaceful community where guns are silenced, food and basic services are sufficient, and community life has normalized and shown signs of progress-this reality is now within the reach of geographically isolated and conflict-affected communities. In pursuing economic transformation, the manifestation of peace and security is a necessary condition in allowing the implementation of development activities that could bring in more and better opportunities for the people. This is attainable if conflict-vulnerable areas are protected and developed, the quality of life is safeguarded from criminality, and communities are safe from natural hazards and other security threats. Likewise, an efficient administration of justice is critical in ensuring sustained economic progress. A stable and accountable justice system, whether traditional or alternative, must inspire trust and confidence among stakeholders through integrity, fairness, and accessibility. The Philippine Development Plan (PDP) 2023–2028 puts forward the premise that a whole-of government approach with cross-cutting strategies is required in ensuring peace and security. It asserts that economic justice is a pillar of a strong and vibrant economy and requires a sector-based approach anchored on strong coordination among justice sector institutions, agencies, and actors to drive public engagement and trust in the justice system. And also, the practice of good governance and improve bureaucratic efficiency by achieving a prosperous, inclusive, and resilient society through economic transformation requires the practice of open, efficient, and accountable governance. In this desired future, citizens, civil society organizations, and the private sector are able to access clear and capable platforms that effectively receive and respond to their agenda at all levels of government. Citizen participation is inclusive, fair, and empowering, allowing Filipinos to transact conveniently with the government through digital technologies and maximizing the benefits of an integrated and productive bureaucracy. Furthermore, public servants are agile, resilient, and accountable; and citizens trust that they will consistently perform at the highest levels of inclusion, productivity, and integrity. This chapter presents the challenges facing good governance and bureaucratic efficiency as well as the outcomes to be pursued to address these challenges during the plan period. These outcomes are: (a) participatory governance deepened; (b) public accountability and integrity bolstered; (c) government functions, systems, and mechanisms rationalized and strengthened; and (d) competent, motivated, agile, and resilient public servants supported (pdp.depdev.gov.ph). Coast Guard Inspector General and Internal Affairs Service play a pivotal role in ensuring operational integrity by conducting proactive inspections and audits of all PCG personnel, units, facilities, and properties. These assessments are formalized through Annual General Inspections (AGIs), which rigorously evaluate compliance with laws, regulations, policies, and service standards within Philippine Coast Guard especially that it is entrusted with critical responsibilities including maritime safety, maritime search and rescue, maritime law enforcement and security, and marine environmental protection. This study aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of the implementation of Philippine Coast Guard's core functions within the Coast Guard District North Western Luzon. The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) critical function to safeguard the nation’s safety that is free from illegal activities and marine pollution also faces challenges and issues including political and jurisdictional, qualified personnel shortage and major problem on port congestion which affects the Philippine economy. Gap on the effective maritime policy were emphasized on the cited literatures wherein significant challenges remain despite the government effort to address the maritime challenges and issues. Torrecampo also emphasized the Blue Economy Act which was proposed to address these issues through sustainable maritime practices. The solid foundation of international regulations for maritime safety were highlighted but the implementation in the Philippines still needs to address these challenges to ensure maritime safety and efficiency. Maritime safety is vital for protecting lives, vessels, and the marine environment, with the Philippine Coast Guard playing a crucial role through vessel inspections, maritime law enforcement, search and rescue operations, and environmental protection. Studies highlight the positive impact of the PCG's regular inspections and law enforcement in reducing accidents and improving safety standards. However, challenges such as limited resources and outdated equipment persist, as noted by the National Maritime Polytechnic report, which recommends increased government support and enhanced training programs. Further studies emphasize the need for continuous improvement in maritime safety practices. Some studies point out the necessity for stricter enforcement of safety management systems among Philippine-flagged vessels, while the University of the Philippines Marine Science Institute underscores the importance of well-trained personnel in preventing and responding to marine pollution incidents. Moreover, research highlights improvements in SAR operations due to better training and coordination, while suggesting that adopting international standards and advanced inspection systems can further enhance PCG's effectiveness. International Journal of Recent Innovations in Academic Research 304 Overall, these studies indicate that while the PCG has made substantial strides in improving maritime safety through its core functions, ongoing efforts in training, technology upgrades, and international cooperation are essential for optimizing maritime safety in the Philippines. This case study aims to assess the implementation of these core functions during the Annual General Inspection to identify areas for further enhancement and ensure the PCG's continued effectiveness in safeguarding maritime safety. Theoretical Framework The study was anchored with the Systemic Theoretical Process Analysis (STPA) model by Professor Nancy Leveson (2002). This model was used for hazard analysis and accident prevention based on the identification of causal scenarios. This model is the most appropriate in this study because it provides a comprehensive framework in understanding level of implementation of the guidelines and procedures for the Philippine Coast Guard's core functions in terms of Maritime safety, search and rescue, maritime security and law enforcement and marine environmental protection within the Coast Guard District North Western Luzon to proposed standard operating policy and procedure for PCG. This model was used by Wróbel, Montewka and Kujala (2018) in their study on the development of safety assessment for autonomous merchant vessels which highlighted the use of the system-theoretic model suitable for safety analysis for autonomous vessels. Aps et al., (2017) also used this model in maritime traffic safety management in the Gulf of Finland (Baltic Sea) wherein STPA identified hazards and potentially unsafe ships in accordance to IMO which was efficient in ship level situational update. Conceptual Framework Figure 1. The conceptual paradigm of the study. Above is the conceptual framework that guides the data collection and analysis and helps formulate targeted recommendations of the study illustrating the Philippine Coast Guard’s core functions and the relationship of independent and dependent variables. The first box presented the independent variables of the study which was the level of implementation of the guidelines and procedures for the Philippine Coast Guard's core functions in terms of maritime safety, search and rescue, maritime security, law enforcement and marine environmental protection. The second box presented the dependent variable which was the challenges encountered during the annual general inspections. The study assessed how the level of implementation of the guidelines and procedures for the Philippine Coast Guard's core functions in terms of maritime safety, search and rescue, maritime security, law enforcement and marine environmental protection differs in each PCG stations and how this implementation contributed the challenges encountered during the annual general inspections. This framework illustrates how the Philippine Coast Guard’s operations are implemented and challenged in the The level of implementation of the guidelines and procedures for the Philippine Coast Guard's core functions in terms of:  Maritime safety, search and rescue  Maritime security and law enforcement  Marine environmental protection The significant difference in the perceptions of the respondents about the implementation of the guidelines and procedures for the Philippine Coast Guard's core functions in terms of:  Maritime safety, search and rescue  Maritime security and law enforcement  Marine environmental protection The challenges encountered by the respondents during the conduct of the annual general inspections Proposed standard operating policy and procedure for PCG International Journal of Recent Innovations in Academic Research 305 conduct of the annual general inspections. The level of implementation on the maritime core functions was the basis for the proposed standard operating policy and procedure for PCG. Significance of the Study The following will benefit from the findings of the study:  Philippine Coast Guard (PCG): The findings will help identify areas for improvement in their core functions, such as vessel inspections, maritime law enforcement, search and rescue (SAR) operations, and environmental protection. This can lead to more effective policies and strategies to enhance overall maritime safety.  Government Agencies: Government bodies responsible for maritime safety and resource allocation will benefit from the study's recommendations on increasing support for the PCG, upgrading inspection technologies, and enhancing training programs. This will ensure that the PCG is well-equipped and trained to perform its duties.  Maritime Industry: Shipping companies, vessel operators, and maritime workers will benefit from improved safety standards and practices. The study's emphasis on strict enforcement of safety management systems (SMS) and the adoption of advanced inspection systems can reduce accidents and enhance operational efficiency.  Maritime Training Institutions: Institutions like the National Maritime Polytechnic (NMP) will gain insights into the specific training needs of PCG personnel, enabling them to tailor their programs to address gaps and enhance the competencies of maritime professionals.  Local Communities: Coastal communities that depend on the maritime industry will benefit from safer maritime operations and better environmental protection measures. The study's focus on preventing and responding to marine pollution incidents will help safeguard the marine environment and local livelihoods. Statement of the Problem The objectives of this study were to assessed the level of implementation of the Philippine Coast Guard's core functions in terms of maritime safety, search and rescue, maritime security, law enforcement and marine environmental protection and the challenges encountered during the annual general inspections to proposed a standard operating policy and procedure to enhance the delivery of service of the Philippine Coast Guard District North Western Luzon. To do this, the following are the aim of the study: 1. Assess the level of implementation of the guidelines and procedures for the Philippine Coast Guard's core functions in terms of: 1.1. Maritime safety, search and rescue; 1.2. Maritime security and law enforcement; and 1.3. Marine environmental protection. 2. Analyze the significant difference in the perceptions of the respondents among the above-mentioned variables when grouped according to the different coast guard stations. 3. Identify the challenges encountered by the respondents during the conduct of the annual general inspection? 4. Proposed a standard operating policy and procedure based on the findings of the study. Methodology This chapter presents the research method, design, population and locale of the study, scope and limitation, data gathering tools, data gathering procedure, treatment of data, ethical considerations and dissemination of findings. Research Design The study used a mixed method or the qualitative and quantitative research method using an explanatorysequential research design in analyzing the annual general inspections within the Coast Guard District North Western Luzon. Explanatory-sequential research design was also used to identify the differences of the core International Journal of Recent Innovations in Academic Research 306 functions of the guidelines and procedures for the Philippine Coast Guard implementation using quantitative data collection and qualitative analysis to substantiate the results of the gathered data. This design was suited to the study because it involves analyzing the quantitative and qualitative data of the annual general inspections core functions in terms of maritime safety, search and rescue, maritime security and law enforcement and marine environmental protection and their challenges encountered within the Coast Guard District North Western Luzon. Research Method A mixed-method approach is a research methodology that has its own philosophical assumptions and methods of inquiry and includes philosophical assumptions to provide directions for the collection and analysis of data from multiple sources in a single study interweaving qualitative and quantitative data for an in-depth understanding (Dawadi et al., 2021). This method is appropriate in the study because it quantified the level of the implementation of the guidelines and procedures for the Philippine Coast Guard's core functions and to analyze the challenges encountered during the annual general inspection and substantiate with qualitative data to provide sufficient and in-depth understanding of the findings. Population of the Study There were 159 total population of the study which includes the Philippine Coast Guard personnel of the four (4) coast guard stations. The sample size of the study was computed using 95% confidence level and 5% margin of error. The total number of sample size in this study was 113 inspectors of Philippine Coast Guard in District North Western Luzon Stations for the quantitative data and there were 15 participants for the qualitative data. There was one group of respondents for quantitative and qualitative sample size. The main group was 113 inspectors for quantitative study with a subset group of 15 supervisors and commanders for qualitative data. The inclusion criteria are those official and active personnel of Philippine Coast Guard assigned to the four (4) coast guard stations in District North Western Luzon namely Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union and Pangasinan Coast Guard Stations. The inclusion also includes those personnel who were at least one year designation as inspectors and or directly involved in the implementation of the PCG core functions in terms of maritime safety, search and rescue, maritime security and law enforcement and marine environmental protection. For the qualitative data, there were 15 supervisors and commanders who were willing and voluntarily participated in the interview. The exclusion criteria of the respondents include those PCG personnel with less than one year designation, personnel on leave or in training, those who were not directly involved in field inspections or the implementation of core PCG functions and those who refused to give consent or declined their participation in the study. Data Gathering Tools To obtain the data needed to determine the level of implementation of maritime safety on the annual general inspections in Coast Guard District North Western Luzon, the researcher used a semi-structured survey questionnaire and interview guide questions as the instruments which adapted by the researcher in the AGI Checklist for DCS for Maritime Safety Services, CG8, and AGI Checklist for DCS for Marine Environmental Protection, CG-9. This adapted instrument has been developed by the researcher with modifications aligned to the research objectives and quantitative research method of the study. The survey questionnaire consists of two parts survey questionnaires wherein the first part of the survey questionnaire focuses on the core function of the Philippine Coast Guard’s guidelines and procedures in terms of maritime safety, search and rescue, maritime security and law enforcement, and marine environmental protection. The second part of the survey identified the specific challenges encountered by the PCG personnel during their annual general inspections in the Coast Guard District North Western Luzon. The interview guide questions were composed of questions that were also focus on the core function of the Philippine Coast Guard’s guidelines and procedures in terms of maritime safety, search and rescue, maritime security and law enforcement, and marine environmental protection. Questions were also included that related to the specific challenges encountered by the PCG personnel during their annual general inspections in the Coast Guard District North Western Luzon. The research instrument was validated by a panel of expert in maritime safety inspection administrators and a statistician to ensure that it aligns with the study's purpose and that the survey is reliable and valid so that it accurately measures the study's variables. The study conducted a reliability testing and gathered data were analyzed using Cronbach alpha of 0.05 among 20 respondents on the same characteristics of the respondents from different PCG District and revealed a reliability test of ≥ 0.7 which indicate an acceptable to excellent internal inconsistency of survey questions. International Journal of Recent Innovations in Academic Research 307 Data Gathering Procedure The researcher followed certain procedures in gathering the data of this study. The researcher primarily handed in a letter of permission to conduct the study to the commander of the PCG stations in the Coast Guard District North Western Luzon. The researcher was personally explained and administered the survey and interview to the identified respondents and participants of the study. The analysis of the data gathered were processed immediately using statistical and thematic analysis. A statistician was assisted the researcher in a more accurate interpretation and analysis. Treatment of Data The data gathered were analyzed through the statistical and thematic analysis and findings were presented in tabular and through the themes based from the results of the gathered data. Median was used to describe the variables in the study to determine the level of implementation on the core function of the Philippine Coast Guard’s guidelines and procedures in terms of maritime safety, search and rescue, maritime security and law enforcement, and marine environmental protection and the specific challenges encountered by the PCG personnel during their annual general inspections in the Coast Guard District North Western Luzon. Frequency, percentage and rank were used to present the quantitative data of the challenges encountered by the PCG personnel during their annual general inspections. Kruskal–Wallis test was used to determine the significant difference on the core function of the Philippine Coast Guard’s guidelines and procedures in terms of maritime safety, search and rescue, maritime security and law enforcement, and marine environmental protection when grouped according to their stations. Thematic analysis was used to analyzing qualitative data from the interview conducted. Thematic analysis is a highly popular technique which usually comprises thick descriptive data (Naeem et al., 2023). The study applied the Braun and Clarke’s thematic analysis which composed of six-phase: familiarization with data; generating initial codes; searching for themes; reviewing themes; defining and naming themes and writing the report (Ashmed et al., 2025). Ethical Considerations The researcher adhered to ethical principles throughout the research study to ensure anonymity and respondents confidentiality. Informed consent discussed to the respondents before the survey. The purpose of the study also explained to the respondents to ensure their voluntary participation. The respondents have the right to withdraw from the study at any time without consequences. Dissemination of the Research Outcome The researcher followed the proper procedure in disseminating the results of the study to ensure that ethical considerations were also followed and to ensure the findings will be significant among its beneficiaries. After the final defense and incorporations of necessary adjustments, the researcher will submit the research paper for publication review in academic journals a and ask permission to the PCG Commander to present the proposed standard operating policy and procedure for PCG. Results and Discussion This chapter presents the results and discussion as well as the analysis and interpretation of the data gathered. Table 1 presents the level of implementation of the guidelines and procedures for the Philippine Coast Guard's core functions in terms of maritime safety, search and rescue which revealed a median of 4.00 which interpreted as “Well Implemented” across indicators. This supports Pangandaman (2022) that Philippine Coast Guard is excellent in ensuring safe and clean sea in adherence to its protocols and its continued commitment to deliver reliable and effective maritime services for the Philippines. This implies that though the PCG has established and maintained well the compliance with its guidelines and procedures for the core functions in terms of maritime safety, search and rescue across all indicators. These results align with the International Maritime standards which indicate that safety, prevention, and proper training should be part of regular inspection and maintenance (IMO, 2023). The need to maintain communication protocols and safety equipment checks were essential for search and rescue readiness. This support Reyes (2020), Mendoza (2019) and Monje (2013) that enforcement of maritime laws enhanced response times and effectiveness of SAR coordination. In addition, De la Cruz (2018) emphasized that consistent updates were necessary for sustained well-implemented status of SAR operations. Communication protocols and advanced technologies were important in SAR such as satellite systems, drones (Santos, 2018). This implies that the well-implemented maritime safety and search and rescue (SAR) core functions reflects the agency confidence and high compliance aligned with the standards to ensure sustainable marine safety and effective International Journal of Recent Innovations in Academic Research 308 institutional governance. These findings suggest that the PCG should maintain regular policy updates and inter-agency coordination to address gaps in terms of maritime safety and search and rescue (SAR) core functions. Table 1. The level of implementation of the guidelines and procedures for the Philippine Coast Guard's core functions in terms of maritime safety, search and rescue. Maritime safety, search and rescue (SAR) core functions Ilocos Sur station Ilocos Norte station Pangasinan station La Union station Overall Mdn Interpretation Mdn Mdn Mdn Mdn 1) Life-saving equipment like lifeboats and life vest are regularly undergo safety inspections. 4.00 4.00 4.00 4.00 4.00 Well implemented 2) The search and rescue operations strictly follow the set PCG guidelines and protocols. 4.00 4.00 4.00 4.00 4.00 Well implemented 3) The PCG performed scheduled emergency preparedness drills as per the standard procedure. 4.00 4.00 4.00 4.00 4.00 Well implemented 4) The trained personnel are sufficient for emergency response and search and rescue operations. 4.00 4.00 4.00 4.00 4.00 Well implemented 5) Strict compliance on SAR communication protocols were followed during operations. 4.00 4.00 4.00 4.00 4.00 Well implemented 6) The search and rescue equipment are wellmaintained and 100% functional. 4.00 4.00 4.00 4.00 4.00 Well implemented 7) Effective coordination among the search and rescue teams are evident. 4.00 4.00 4.00 4.00 4.00 Well implemented 8) The implementation of passenger safety measures for passenger vessels are strictly monitored. 4.00 4.00 4.00 4.00 4.00 Well implemented 9) All PCG vessels adhere to safety guidelines including capacity and load distribution. 4.00 4.00 4.00 4.00 4.00 Well implemented 10) There is a regular review and update on the safety management system for SAR. 4.00 4.00 4.00 4.00 4.00 Well implemented Median 4.00 4.00 4.00 4.00 4.00 Well implemented As gleaned in Table 2, the level of implementation of the guidelines and procedures for the Philippine Coast Guard's core functions in terms of maritime security and law enforcement with median of 4.00 which was interpreted as “Well Implemented”. This implies that, while PCG found to have a well implemented core functions in terms of maritime security and law enforcement across indicators. This study was in adherence of operational protocols aligned with the mandates of Republic Act No. 9993 which maintain the maritime safety and security. This underscores the PCG Strategic Plan 2020–2028 which emphasized enforcement readiness and inter-agency coordination in improving the operational performance aligned in the Philippine Development Plan's (PDP). This was aligned with Ganadillo (2023), and Linner et al., (2023) on the integration of security and law enforcement and strengthening maritime rule. This implies that the wellimplemented core functions in terms of maritime security and law enforcement demonstrated the PCG commitment in upholding security and enforcement operations. Although the PCG found to have a well implemented core functions in terms of maritime security and law enforcement across indicators, NMP Report (2019) highlighted the problems on outdated equipment and lack of training in the PCG. This also in contrast with De la Cruz (2018) on uneven implementation and the need for strengthened intervention and the under-reporting of maritime accidents and inspection reports that overstate PCG performance (Psarros et al., 2010). Furthermore, while the findings of this study affirm a well implemented core functions in maritime security and law enforcement, the cited literature and studies revealed challenges which consider the need for comparative analysis of both quantitative and qualitative International Journal of Recent Innovations in Academic Research 309 data to be able to identify the strong and weak points on the implementation of maritime security and law enforcement. This is to ensure that the implementation practices sustained and ensure long-term effectiveness. Table 2. The level of implementation of the guidelines and procedures for the Philippine Coast Guard's core functions in terms of maritime security and law enforcement. Maritime security and law enforcement Ilocos Sur station Ilocos Norte station Pangasinan station La Union station Overall Mdn Interpretation Mdn Mdn Mdn Mdn 1) The PCG is compliant to vessel inspections with the maritime security guidelines. 4.00 4.00 4.00 4.00 4.00 Well implemented 2) There is effective enforcement on the security measures against illegal activities. 4.00 4.00 4.00 4.00 4.00 Well implemented 3) There is an effective vessel traffic management system (VTMS) to ensure maritime security. 4.00 4.00 4.00 4.00 4.00 Well implemented 4) There is a quick response for violators of maritime law during inspection. 4.00 4.00 4.00 4.00 4.00 Well implemented 5) The standard law enforcement procedures are strictly followed by the coastal patrol. 4.00 4.00 4.00 4.00 4.00 Well implemented 6) There is a consistent implementation of port security measures. 4.00 4.00 4.00 4.00 4.00 Well implemented 7) The inspection for boarding of vessels is conducted in accordance with maritime law enforcement protocols. 4.00 4.00 4.00 4.00 4.00 Well implemented 8) There is proper coordination on maritime security operations between the PCG and other law enforcement agencies. 4.00 4.00 4.00 4.00 4.00 Well implemented 9) There are well maintained weapons and defense systems to support law enforcement activities. 4.00 4.00 4.00 4.00 4.00 Well implemented 10) The PCG properly implemented the proper procedures for handling and detaining individuals involved in illegal activities. 4.00 4.00 4.00 4.00 4.00 Well implemented Median 4.00 4.00 4.00 4.00 4.00 Well implemented Presented in Table 3 the level of implementation of the guidelines and procedures for the Philippine Coast Guard's core functions in terms of marine environmental protection with median 4.00 which was interpreted as “Well Implemented”. This means that the PCG personnel agreed that the guidelines and procedures for the Philippine Coast Guard's core functions in terms of marine environmental protection was well implemented across indicators. This aligned to the effort conducted by the PCG in partnership with Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) by enforcing environmental laws in Manila Bay. This implies that though the PCG core functions in terms of marine environmental protection across indicators were well implemented. These findings affirmed that the agency preparedness strengthens its marine environmental protection commitment. This aligned with the International Maritime Organization (IMO) that prevention and control measures reflect the implementation of standards and policies. Moreover, this supports the study of Santos (2021) and Reyes (2020) that the PCG inspections enhanced pollution control and maximize law enforcement outcomes and the its positive impact in ensuring protocol compliance. The environmental protection training enables PCG staff to be more capable on building public trust and strong community partnerships collaboration (Torrecampo, 2024). These findings implies that the PCG competence on implementing well-implemented environmental protection corresponds to their reinforcement of strategic International Journal of Recent Innovations in Academic Research 316 coordination during inspections or operations. This indicates the gap in communication and coordination protocols which negatively affect the inspections and operations under the maritime safety, search and rescue core functions. These findings were consistent with the Monje (2013) and Torrecampo (2024) on the need for coordinated efforts among agencies to achieve effective maritime enforcement and environmental protection. This implies that though the quantitative data revealed a well implemented PCG’s SAR guidelines, there still underlying operational challenges such as lack of sufficient equipment, limitations in manpower capacity and communication gaps that needs to be address through a standard operating policy and procedure that aligns to the SDG’s specifically SDG 14 and SDG 16 to foster overall core function implementation and good maritime governance. The Qualitative Analysis on the Challenges Encountered by the Respondents During the Conduct of the Annual General Inspection in Terms of Maritime Security and Law Enforcement Table 12. Challenges encountered by the respondents during the conduct of the annual general inspection in terms of maritime security and law enforcement. Probing questions Actual responses of the key informants (KIs) Generated themes What are the challenges you encountered in terms of maritime security and law enforcement? “In remote areas, we experienced several challenges in coordinating with our partner government agencies.” [P2] Inter-agency coordination barriers “We are often the ones responding to maritime incidents; communication in the field is difficult, so you really just have to wait.” [P5] “We need to build strong coordination not only on paper but most especially in times of operational support that would be very important.” [P11] What are the most pressing issues you consider need immediate action? How should these be addressed? “We need high-tech surveillance equipment for us to be able to keep up with our functions in maritime security and law enforcement mostly during vigilance in the coastline.” [P6] Insufficient modern equipment “Most of our equipment are depreciating and lack of maintenance like binoculars at communication gear, that is why we are really in the process of requesting those to be replaced immediately.” [P9] “We need modern patrol boats for our enforcement operations.” [P8] “Continuous training in law enforcement is necessary, especially for newcomers, so they can get used to simulation drills.” [P1] What support do you think is needed to improve the maritime security and law enforcement? “With our multi admin tasks, sometimes limit us to conduct drills because of time constraint.” [P10] Need for training and drills "Implementation is followed, yes, but we also need to maintain consistent level of training, all of us should be." [P15] The participants were asked about their experiences on the implementation of the guidelines and procedures for the Philippine Coast Guard's core functions in terms of maritime security and law enforcement through interviews and revealed themes on (1) inter-agency coordination barriers, (2) insufficient modern equipment and the (3) need for trainings and drills. Multiple participants shared their experiences in actual on-ground coordination during the maritime security and law enforcement implementation. This theme emphasized the operational readiness under maritime security and law enforcement implementation needs to have strong inter-agency cooperation to provide on time task and logistical support. This supports Monje (2013) on unified maritime enforcement in the Philippines and Santos (2018) on the proper preparation and coordination for typhoon operations. This also support Psarros et al., (2010) which highlight the existing barriers on weak coordination mechanisms which lead to underreporting of maritime accidents which indicate that there were persistent challenges on both global and local of law enforcement at sea. International Journal of Recent Innovations in Academic Research 317 Insufficient modern equipment also emerged as the most reported issues regarding maritime security and law enforcement implementation. This theme reflects the noticeable gap between equipment sufficiency and operational demands which need to be address for efficient maritime security and law enforcement implementation. This recurring issue were aligned to results of NMP Report (2019) on PCG challenges on resources. This mirrors the conclusions of Buck (2016) that U.S. Coast Guard inspections were hampered by lack of resources and information management suggesting for modernization and technological upgrades in maritime security operations. The participants also expressed their insights on the need for continuous trainings and drills to capacitate them to maintain their performance under the maritime security and law enforcement implementation (Mendoza, 2019, Ghajour, 2022). The thematic analysis revealed that though the PCG have well implemented maritime security and law enforcement protocols, operational-level barriers still remain gaps in terms of logistical issues, coordination challenges and need for training and drills which suggest for the formulation of a more adaptive standard operating policy and procedure for future implementation. The Qualitative Analysis on the Challenges Encountered by the Respondents During the Conduct of the Annual General Inspection in Terms of Marine Environmental Protection Table 13. Challenges encountered by the respondents during the conduct of the annual general inspection in terms of marine environmental protection. Probing questions Actual responses of the key informants (KIs) Generated themes What are the challenges you encountered in terms of marine environmental protection? “We have equipment for marine environmental response but they are not enough for responding to large-scale incidents; sometimes we borrow equipment from other stations.” [P3] Lack of equipment for marine environmental response “We should have new oil spill booms. Those we have are old and should be replaced with ones capable of responding to expanded spill incidents.” [P7] “The capacity of the equipment is no longer adequate during real-life situations.” [P9] What are the programs do you believe are lacking or needed to be strengthened in terms of marine environmental protection? “Our personnel need to undergo training on environmental law updates; most of them were not present during the last orientation because of other tasks.” [P2] Gaps on environmental laws “There are new guidelines from the DENR and marine biodiversity protocols, not all personnel are updated on them.” [P5] “The training isn’t the same for everyone, so everyone should be informed, especially about environmental laws.” [P13] What other external aspect do you considered that need to be evaluated that affects marine environmental protection? “Those locals in the coastal areas need to be aware of the efforts and programs under marine environmental protection.” [P10] Weak marine protection partnership “Marine protection is a big thing; this is not only a PCG commitment, this should be everybody’s concern, especially our fishermen.” [P11] The qualitative results showed a deeper understanding of the level of implementation of the guidelines and procedures for the Philippine Coast Guard's core functions in terms of marine environmental protection gathered from 15 PCG personnel. Their responses were analyzed thematically and found key themes which revealed (1) lack of equipment for marine environmental response, (2) gaps on environmental laws and (3) weak marine protection partnership. The quantitative findings revealed 100% functional equipment but still pose challenges on the sufficiency of equipment for marine environmental response. This theme indicates that the PCG was dealing with problems on the lack of equipment for marine environmental response which led to the field-level challenges especially when dealing with unexpected or multiple incidents. The quantitative results showed well implemented training, participants noted the gaps on marine environmental laws that needs to be address. This emphasized the existing gaps on capacitating the PCG personnel focusing on marine International Journal of Recent Innovations in Academic Research 318 environmental laws updates and up-to date protocols. The qualitative results revealed weak marine protection partnership such as collaboration with local communities which often limit the implementation of the guidelines and procedures for the Philippine Coast Guard's core functions in terms of marine environmental protection. This suggests for additional effort to build a strong collaboration in promoting implementation and awareness on marine environmental protection. Summary of Findings, Conclusions, and Recommendations Summary of Findings The findings revealed that the level of implementation of the guidelines and procedures for the Philippine Coast Guard's core functions in terms of maritime safety, search and rescue, maritime security and law enforcement and marine environmental protection were well-implemented across indicators. Moreover, significant difference was found in the perceptions of the respondents among the abovementioned variables maritime safety, search and rescue in terms of the regular safety inspections of life-saving equipment like lifeboats and life vests and maritime security and law enforcement in terms of well-maintained weapons and defense systems to support law enforcement activities and properly implemented the proper procedures for handling and detaining individuals involved in illegal activities wherein Coast Guard Ilocos Sur station were relatively lower in ratings compared to Coast Guard Stations in Ilocos Norte, La Union and Pangasinan. Furthermore, the challenges encountered by the respondents during the conduct of the Annual general inspection on maritime safety and search and rescue (SAR) includes lack of equipment and support, personnel shortage and communication problems. Challenges in terms of maritime security and law enforcement includes inter-agency coordination barriers, insufficient modern equipment and the need for training and drills while challenges in terms of marine environmental protection were lack of equipment for marine environmental response, gaps on environmental laws and weak marine protection partnership. Based on the results, standard operating policy and procedure was proposed based on the findings of the study to address the experience challenges on the level of implementation of the guidelines and procedures for the Philippine Coast Guard's core functions in terms of maritime safety, search and rescue, maritime security and law enforcement and marine environmental protection. Conclusion The study concludes that the PCG’s core functions in terms of maritime safety and search and rescue, maritime security and law enforcement, and marine environmental protection were generally well implemented indicating a committed and responsible Philippine Coast Guard personnel in the Coast Guard District North Western Luzon. However, persistent challenges remained on the sufficiency of its equipment, effective communication and strong inter-agency collaboration which need to be addressed to ensure the efficiency and success of PCG operational functions. Lastly, based on the results of the study, a need for strengthened standard operating procedure should be proposed that focuses on equipment modernization and maintenance, protocols on communication channels, inter-agency collaboration mechanisms and the provision of continuous drills and training for the PCG personnel. Recommendations Based on the findings and conclusions of the study, the research recommends the following to address the gaps identified and to maintain a well implemented Philippine Coast Guard's core functions: 1) Coast Guard District North Western Luzon should allocate budget for equipment maintenance and procurement of upgraded and modernized equipment for maritime safety and search and rescue, maritime security and law enforcement, and marine environmental protection. 2) The Coast Guard District North Western Luzon should strengthen its inter-agency collaboration and communication protocols through formal inter-agency agreements and regular conduct of inter-agency planning and evaluation meetings. 3) The Coast Guard District North Western Luzon should review the adoption of the proposed standard operations procedure for implementation will addresses current challenges encountered and will foster International Journal of Recent Innovations in Academic Research 319 best practices in the PCG. 4) The Coast Guard District North Western Luzon personnel should conduct regular drills and training that focus on maritime safety and search and rescue, maritime security and law enforcement, and marine environmental protection. 5) Further research is recommended to assess the effectiveness and impact of the proposed standard operating procedure on the operations and the schedule drills of the PCG personnel. Declarations Acknowledgments: The completion of this research was made possible by the invaluable support and guidance of numerous individuals, to whom I sincerely extend my deepest gratitude. First and foremost, I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to God Almighty, my creator, my strong pillar, and my source of inspiration, wisdom, knowledge, and understanding. He has been the source of my strength throughout this program, and it is by his guidance that I have been able to persevere and accomplish this work. I am profoundly grateful to my parents, especially my father, Sebastian Anicete, whose unconditional love and exemplary life have taught me the value of hard work and determination. I also extend my gratitude to my siblings, Sean Kathleen Anicete-Capiendo, John Sebastian Anicete, and John Carlo Anicete, whose encouragement and support have motivated me to give my best in completing what I have started, and to my friends who have consistently encouraged and supported me. I owe my deepest thanks to my thesis adviser, Dr. Ambrocio Detran, for his guidance, patience, and invaluable feedback throughout this journey. I am equally grateful to Dr. Vinder Bassi-Deculing, who thoughtfully assisted both me and my thesis adviser. Her guidance and support have been instrumental in making this achievement possible. Finally, I would like to acknowledge my girlfriend, Alia Janin Ojo, whose presence has been an unexpected source of inspiration. Her encouragement and belief in me have brought additional strength and motivation to this work. Author Contribution: The author solely carried out all aspects of this mixed method or the qualitative and quantitative research method, including the conceptualization of the study, formulation of the research design, development of research instruments, data collection, analysis and interpretation of results, and preparation of the full manuscript. Conflict of Interest: The author declares no conflict of interest. Consent to Publish: The author agrees to publish the paper in International Journal of Recent Innovations in Academic Research. Data Availability Statement: The data presented in this study are available on request from the corresponding author. The data are not publicly available due to privacy. Funding: This research received no external funding. Institutional Review Board Statement: The proposal for the study was approved by the Institutional Review Board of the Philippine College of Criminology, 641 Sales Street, Sta. Cruz, Manila, Philippines. Informed Consent Statement: Written informed consent was obtained from all subjects involved in this study. Research Content: The research content of this manuscript is original and has not been published elsewhere. References 1. Abanilla, A.G. 2024. Competencies of Philippine Coast Guard personnel in the enforcement of criminal laws. International Journal of Multidisciplinary: Applied Business and Education Research, 5(6): 2235– 2243. 2. Ahmed, S.K., Mohammed, R.A., Nashwan, A.J., Ibrahim, R.H., Abdalla, A.Q., Ameen, B.M. and Khdhir, R.M. 2025. Using thematic analysis in qualitative research. Journal of Medicine, Surgery and Public Health, 6: 100198. 3. Aps, R., Fetissov, M., Goerlandt, F., Kujala, P. and Piel, A. 2017. Systems-theoretic process analysis of maritime traffic safety management in the Gulf of Finland (Baltic Sea). In: Proceedings of the 4th European STAMP Workshop (ESW 2016) (Vol. 179, pp. 2–12). 4. Batalden, B.M. and Sydnes, A.K. 2014. Maritime safety and the ISM Code: A study of investigated casualties and incidents. WMU Journal of Maritime Affairs, 13(1): 3–25. 5. Buck, J.W. 2016. Strategies to improve marine inspection performance in the U.S. Coast Guard. Master’s Thesis, Trident University International. 6. Celik, M. 2009. Designing of integrated quality and safety management system (IQSMS) for shipping operations. Safety Science, 47(5): 569–577. International Journal of Recent Innovations in Academic Research 320 7. David, B.D.C. 2025. Strategic interventions to uphold Philippine maritime safety. International Journal of Management Studies and Social Science Research, 7(2): 15–26. 8. Dawadi, S., Shrestha, S. and Giri, R.A. 2021. Mixed-methods research: A discussion on its types, challenges, and criticisms. Journal of Practical Studies in Education, 2(2): 25–36. 9. De la Cruz, R. 2018. Challenges in maritime safety management systems: Implementation and enforcement. Maritime Safety Journal, 12(3): 45–60. 10. Ganadillo, I. 2023, December 6. Assessing the Philippines’ maritime governance capacity: Priorities and challenges. Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative. 11. Ghajour, N. 2022, June 21. What is maritime safety? Maritime Professionals. https://maritimeprofessionals.com/what-is-maritime-safety/ 12. International Maritime Organization. 2023. Guidelines on the implementation of the international safety management (ISM) code by administrations (Resolution A.1188(33), adopted 6 December 2023). IMO. 13. Jensen, L.D., Friis-Hansen, P. and Nielsen, J. 2015. Safety management effectiveness in maritime operations: Compliance vs. implementation gaps. Safety Science, 73: 150–159. 14. Kim, H. and Cha, J. 2020. Inspection practices for improving operational safety in maritime transport. International Journal of Maritime Safety, 7(2): 23–37. 15. Knapp, S. and Franses, P. H. 2009. Comprehensive analysis of ship accidents using the IMO database. Marine Policy, 33(4): 826–835. 16. Leveson, N. 2002. System safety engineering: Back to the future. Cambridge. 17. Linner, A., Sharifi, A., Simangan, D. and dos Muchangos, L.S. 2023. Interactions between SDG 14 (life below water) and SDG 16 (peace, justice, and strong institutions): A review of co-benefits, synergies, conflicts, and trade-offs. In: Bridging peace and sustainability amidst global transformations (pp. 31–51). Springer. 18. Mba, J.U. 2025. Advancing maritime operations sustainable practices and enhanced safety protocols for global shipping. World Journal of Advanced Research and Reviews, 25(1): 152-173. 19. Mendoza, L. 2019. Operational challenges in search and rescue (SAR) missions of the Philippine Coast Guard. Journal of Maritime Safety and Security, 8(2): 44–60. 20. Monje, D. 2013. Inter-agency coordination in Philippine maritime law enforcement. Philippine Public Safety Review, 5(1): 23–39. 21. Naeem, M., Ozuem, W., Howell, K. and Ranfagni, S. 2023. A step-by-step process of thematic analysis to develop a conceptual model in qualitative research. International Journal of Qualitative Methods, 22: 1– 18. 22. National Maritime Polytechnic (NMP). 2019. NMP annual report 2019. National Maritime Polytechnic, Tacloban City, Philippines. 23. Necesario, A. 2024. The role of the Philippine Coast Guard toward sustainable coastal-marine tourism (CMT) in relation to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 14. Master’s Thesis, World Maritime University. 24. Pangandaman, A.F. 2022, October 26. Marine environmental protection valuable for a sustainable economy. Department of Budget and Management. 25. Philippine Coast Guard. 2024, October 10. PCG seizes motor vessel allegedly involved in fuel pilferage in Bulacan [Press release]. PCG. 26. Psarros, G., Skjong, R. and Eide, M. 2010. The problem of under-reporting maritime accidents: Implications for safety management. Journal of Navigation, 63(1): 15–28. 27. Psarros, G., Skjong, R. and Eide, M.S. 2010. Under-reporting of maritime accidents: A quantitative assessment. Marine Policy, 34(3): 519–525. 28. Republic Act No. 9993. An act establishing the Philippine Coast Guard as an armed and uniformed service, attaches to the department of transportation and communications, thereby repealing Republic International Journal of Recent Innovations in Academic Research 321 Act No. 5173, as amended, and for other purposes. Official Gazette. Retrieved from https://lawphil.net/statutes/repacts/ra2010/ra_9993_2010.html 29. Reyes, M. 2020. Impact of SAR and law enforcement inspections on maritime accident prevention. Journal of Marine Policy and Safety, 15(1): 55–70. 30. Rita, J. 2024, September 27. PCG apprehends ship for alleged oil smuggling in Manila Bay. GMA Integrated News. Retrieved from https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/921801/pcgapprehends-ship-for-alleged-oil-smuggling-in-manila-bay/story/ 31. Santos, L. 2021. Maritime inspections and operational risk management: Evidence from global ports. Safety Management Review, 9(4): 101–115. 32. Santos, P. 2021. Evaluation of actual ground inspections (AGIs) in Philippine search and rescue operations. Philippine Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction, 4(1): 12–28. 33. Tomi, A. 2025. The Philippine Coast Guards’ training program: The prospect for an institutionalized human resource development agenda. Journal of Interdisciplinary Perspectives, 3(3): 294-305. 34. Torrecampo, J. 2024. Enhancing maritime enforcement through inter-agency collaboration: An analysis of Philippine practices. International Journal of Marine Policy Studies, 12(3): 100–117. 35. Wróbel, K., Montewka, J. and Kujala, P. 2018. Towards the development of a system-theoretic model for safety assessment of autonomous merchant vessels. Reliability Engineering and System Safety, 178: 209–224. 36. Wu, X., Li, Y. and Chen, Z. 2019. Role of inspections in enhancing operational efficiency and safety compliance in shipping. Maritime Operations Research, 11(2): 78–92. Citation: John Niko I. Anicete. 2025. Optimizing Maritime Safety: A Case Study of Annual General Inspections in Coast Guard District North Western Luzon. International Journal of Recent Innovations in Academic Research, 9(4): 301-321. Copyright: ©2025 John Niko I. Anicete. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.