As i posted in 'Integration for expats", i think some more info is neede, so i will make some of this "NGO's" a bit more transparent. The one i am very active in in Cebu, and probably the most "official" one, is the Philippine Coastguard Auxiliary, not necessarily for "Marine" people only. Their activities ( At least in Cebu ) are mainly Land Based actually. 1.) Rehabilitating Mangrove forest ( I am mainly active in this ) 2.) Surgical Mssions for the "poorer" among the Population. Major Surgeries such as Cleft Lips, Hernias, Goiter and other full anastesia operations. The 201st (Cebu) Squadron is in particular very active in this, as we have an own division consiting of Surgeons ( TOP surgeons btw. very prominent ones too ) 3.) Regular Tree Planting in the mountains. There are of course other stuff too, and to be honest, we desperately need members which take "charge" of new projects. meaning, they just have to point out, get members assigned to them, and then overview the activity. And ideal "hobby" for people, which have nothing else to do when moving over here. People with boats or divers are of course more or less obliged to join. trust me, it will help a lot if one owns a boat and has a Coastguard Auxiliary Registration. Of course one can get a registration on regular ways, but...no comment needed i guess. And of course, this is a great way to meet serious People. (Official Meetings are only once a month) And it isn't costly either, as one may assume. Actua joining costs about a 1000 php, annual dues are also only in the range of 1000 php to 2500 phph (mine), it depends on the Rank one gets initially. Painfull is only the set of Uniform one has to get. Tailoring costs about 1000 php for Pants and Shirt, on the other hand, without the "paraphanelia" it can be worn privately as well. Paraphenalia- shoulder boards, belt buckle and a hat or cap. again- 1000 php up to a whooping 5000 php ( if you have one of those Commander Caps with Golden "blings" on it. ( Doubtfull, one has to have a former acreer as officer in Navy,Military, Coastguard or own a 1000 ton ship to become a Commander/Captain, or do his time of tenure to get promoted, normally people start as ensign or Lt.Junior Grade ) However- The contacts one get are not measurable in Money, where else one can meet people like Gaisano, Aboitiz or Gothong privately and on a "personal" level ? The rest then is up to oneselve... Requirements to Join- resident with 13a or work visa, NBI clearance, a 1 day Seminar and two good standing member as reference. ( That would be my part i guess, so one has to make the effort to meet me and get scrutinized, lol ) Then the PCG will do a thorough intelligence investigation of the candidate, takes a few months, as all paramilitary "Intel" work. Basically its the same as one wants to join any other Government Arm, such as Military or Police. Thats just a warning for people with problematic Visa status or dubious character, don't even try to join. On the other hand, one can be sure, that every member of the Auxiliary is an honest expat or Filipino with a clean sheet. ( I have found no Politicians in this organisation so far, inspite of its nth thousand members and potential voters...mmmmh ) The internet is a bit new to the PCGA (Philippine Coastguard Auxiliary) but a little info is here: http://pcgauxiliary.org/ very active in Bohol ( Captain Holger Horn is a fantastic leader !): https://www.facebook.com/pages/Philippine-Coast-Guard-Auxiliary-203rd-Squadron-Bohol/187394320539 For Cebu just contact me... and of course they are all over the Philippines, very interesting for Divers as well, as many Diveshops run an own Squadron/Division. No Obligations to join btw. one can just come to a regular Meeting and check it out first. ----- Do something with your life, the other option is of couse to retire and sit around staring at Coconut trees...
Will possibly take you up on that offer although not interested in a uniform just helping out. Aren't there affiliates or some other way round having a uniform? Weather looks like its improving got 3 people coming over in the next week after that fingers crossed will pop over to your restaurant with the mrs.
Thanks for the visit ahead, we can talk more then. here is some Info for others in that matter : It is possible to volunteer to a squadron and participate in meetings etc. Squadrons are all other the Nation in major Cities and towns.( I be happy to give the phone nbrs. and adresses ) No uniform needed for that of course. Maybe T-shirt or Polo during activities. However, this is mainly for community and civic singular activities. The "real work" of the PCGA comes only into "play" when it is real bad. Tsunamies, Landslides, Typhoons, foundering of vessels, oilspills and other things. Mostly there are years when the Cebu Sqadron isn't doing anything, and lets pray that it stays that way. In Metro Manila the assorted Squadrons go on duty in their lifeboats almost every week. lately even insied the City ( flooding) Now, if catatrophies hit the country the task is difficult in the chaos. Hence the Uniforms. It is also encouraged within a community to promote actively in its surrounding, so that in case of catastrohies the population know who to turn to and who to ask for relief and organization. (as "PCGA" are trained, right ?) That is why we have "Uniforms". in a desaster szenario People tend to rather listen to "uniformed" people then to some people in civilian clothing. make sense,right ? And those are the ONLY situations when, according to the Coastguard Law, the PCGA has special authorities under the command of the PCG. In day-by day life we are just people like anyone else. And don't wear any uniform either The photos of me one can see in my Faebook or other places are exlusively from occasions where the PCG had some functions together with the PCGA and the wearing of Uniform was important a.) because we have name Plates. b.) The Ranks are visible and adressed accordingly. Logically- one wants to know "who" in the volunteer organizations is "who" and that can easiest be seen on the shoulderboards ( and not the "chip on the shoulder" ) It is just like in the military, tenure times and active Participation promotes one in the ranks.
It is possible to volunteer to a squadron and participate in meetings etc. Nouniform needed for that of course. Maybe T-shirt or Polo during activities. However, this is mainly for community and civic singular activities. The "real work" of the PCGA comes only into "play" when it is real bad. Tsunamies, Landslides, Typhoons, foundering of vessels, oilspills and other things. Mostly there are years when the cebu Sqadron isn't doing anything, and lets pray that it stays that way. Now, if catatrophies hit the country the task is difficult in the chaos. Hence the Uniforms. It is also encouraged within a community to promote actively in its surrounding, so that in case of catastrohies the population know who to turn to and who to ask for relief and organization. (as "PCGA" are trained, right ?) That is why we have "Uniforms". in a desaster szenario People tend to rather listen to "uniformed" people then to some people in civilian clothing. And those are the ONLY situations when, according to the Coastguard Law, the PCGA has special authorities under the command of the PCG. In day-by day life we are just people like anyone else. And don't wear any uniform either The photos of me one can see inmy Faebook ro so are exlusively from occasions where the PCG had some functions together with the PCGA and the wearing of Uniform was important a.) because we have name Plates. b.) The Ranks are visible and adressed accordingly. Logically- one wants to know "who" in the volunteer organizations is "who" and that can easiest be seen on the shoulderboards ( and not the "chip on the shoulder" ) It is just like in the military, tenure times and active Participation promotes one in the ranks.
Very useful post! I am seriously addicted to messing about in boats, so the PCG Auxiliary is a natural for me if/when I finally settle in the Philippines.
You're welcome then. Specially People with boats. This is how i came to it, I had a sailyacht and they approached me 12years ago. Not that one thinks they take/use our boats, but they need our observation and presence at Sea. (Which is a deterren for Dynamite fishers and other "baddies" ) And of course, in a Sea mishap, when known that a Auxiliary owned boat is near, they can ask via Radio for First response, which "seapeople" of course are more than willing to give. Lots of lifes have been saved this way already. And what can be more satifying that that ?
This sounds pretty interesting to be and I think I'll look into it when we move over next year. I'm sure with my background they'll let me do something.
Interested in the boats and helping out when I can but don't want to become too committed as I never know where I am most of the time (e.g. if the contract in Qatar happens it will literally be a phonecall and a ride to the airport within 24hrs).
I did some work with the Coastguard on maritime accident investigation last year. At that time they were reviewing the PCGA because a lot of members had joined but didn't provide help when needed, preferring to simply boast about their rank and wear a uniform. I don't know the current situation but one should be aware of it.
I asked a fellow member from the Subic PCGA Squadron and what they have done is to review the membership for "inactive" members which have not shown up on meetings orany activity for years. (And also did not pay any dues, lol) This has been done since 2010 nationwide. The Ranking of the PCGA (as in the OP) is done with exactly the same tenure times as the offcial PCG. EXCEPTION- If one has been a Ranking Officer in the merchant Marine or other uniformed Services (Navy, Aircforce etc.) Also one gets a higher rank if he Owns a significant business i.e. shipping company with multiple passenger ships. Or a Maritime Training School. ( or "Captain" Atty. Steven Siclot which you may know ) It is doubtful that those people( long tenure time or biz people) "boast" about some rank in a volunteer organization. But of course one finds the odd "bragger". The "Uniform" myth I also have to ban inthe fairytale section, as the Uniform are only worn on Special Occasions such as this : Usually we run around like this, every one has the same Uniform ( T-short or Polo) Not really worth bragging about those uniforms, right?
Thanks for the clarification. Although of Topic, I dare to "detail" your reply: There are two groups of those, the "social climbers"- similar to the "newly rich" in our western societies, and the old wealth. The latter doesn't brag. They own the Coast Guard ( the entire country actually ) The first you mentioned I have not run into much, usually those kind isn't found much in 'hands on working" organizations. But it might be a very different scenery up in the NCR.
