PCG wants zero maritime casualties for Holy Week

The Philippine Coast Guard is aiming for zero maritime casualties in the upcoming Holy Week.

In a statement, the PCG said they will be on heightened alert from March 23 to April 3, 2024 as part of the Department of Transportation’s Oplan Biyaheng Ayos: Semana Santa 2024.

All PCG districts, stations, and sub-stations were directed by PCG Commandant, Coast Guard Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan, to intensify seaborne patrols and safety measures in all ports and waterways nationwide.

PCG spokesman, Coast Guard Rear Admiral Armando Balilo, said this is to ensure the smooth operations of sea transport facilities, convenient sea travel, and safety of local and foreign tourists in major beach and private resorts amid the anticipated increased volume of maritime traffic.

Along with this, Coast Guard personnel will conduct 24/7 monitoring of nautical highways in western and eastern seaboards, including inter-island routes.

Western seaboard includes Batangas, Occidental Mindoro, Oriental Mindoro, Aklan, Iloilo, and Zamboanga regions while eastern seaboard covers Manila, Bicol Region, Samar, Leyte, and the Surigao provinces.

Coast Guard medical officers will also be deployed to augment existing medical teams during emergencies while PCG auxiliary volunteers have been tapped to form deployable response groups that will assist in the upcoming Holy Week operations.

Gavan also instructed all personnel and volunteers to exercise vigilance and extend patience during passenger and luggage checks. Coast Guard K-9 units and security teams will also be fielded.

Coast Guard rescuers who are trained to do first-aid and lifesaving techniques are also expected to assist lifeguards and first responders in maritime tourist destinations while seaborne patrol units are also preparing for possible search and rescue missions in their respective areas of responsibility.

The last major sea incident to happen was the collision between the fastcraft MV St. Jhudiel and the LCT Poseidon at the Mactan Channel May last year with 25 passengers injured.