ILOILO City – The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) are set to strictly enforce the “No Certificates, No Sail” policy across Western Visayas, warning ship owners and operators that vessels lacking complete and valid safety documents will be barred from leaving port and may face legal action.
The intensified enforcement follows an advisory issued on March 9 by Coast Guard District Western Visayas Commander Ludovico Librilla Jr., directing all ship owners, operators, masters, and maritime stakeholders in the region to comply fully with maritime safety regulations.
The directive stems from agreements reached during the 6th PCG–MARINA Forum held in Puerto Princesa City from March 4 to March 6, 2026, where authorities resolved to strengthen regulatory enforcement to prevent maritime incidents.
Under the advisory, vessels will only be allowed to sail if all required statutory certificates, permits, licenses, and safety documents are valid, complete, and readily available for inspection prior to departure.
The required documents include certifications and permits issued by appropriate national and local regulatory agencies such as the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), National Telecommunications Commission (NTC), MARINA, and concerned local government units (LGUs), among others.
Authorities stressed that the following rules will be strictly implemented:
* Vessels found without valid statutory certificates shall be issued a detention order and shall not be allowed to sail.
* Official receipts, proof of payment, pending applications, or claims of on-going processing shall not be accepted as substitutes for valid certificates. Any attempt to depart despite a lawful detention order shall subject the vessel owner, operator, and master to appropriate administrative legal action under existing maritime laws and regulations.
* All concerned parties are therefore advised to immediately coordinate with the appropriate regulatory agencies to ensure full compliance with statutory requirements prior to vessel operations.
The advisory grants operators seven days from the date of issuance to comply with the requirements before full enforcement begins.
After the grace period, authorities said the “No Certificates, No Sail” policy will be strictly implemented throughout the Coast Guard District Western Visayas Area of Responsibility.
Librilla said the measure is intended to strengthen maritime safety standards and prevent accidents in the region’s busy sea lanes.
“This advisory is issued in the interest of maritime safety, regulatory compliance, and the prevention of maritime incidents within the Western Visayas,” Librilla said.
“The PCG reiterates its commitment to ensuring maritime safety, security, and the protection of lives at sea through strict regulatory compliance and coordinated enforcement with partner agencies,” the PCG-6 said in a statement./PN