Coast Guard on alert for Holy Week

The PCG will build first aid and rescue equipment facilities in crowded tourist destinations to be able to respond immediately when an unexpected incident occurs.

The Philippine Coast Guard has raised the alert level status in all ports to ensure the security and safety of passengers during the upcoming Holy Week and Summer Vacation this year.

PCG commandant Admiral Artemio Abu disclosed on Friday that a “heightened alert” will be raised from 2 to 10 April 2023 to ensure that maritime operations remain smooth and that residents have a comfortable trip going to their respective provinces, as well as tourists visiting destinations.

The heightened alert status covers PCG personnel, particularly K9 units, medical teams, security personnel, harbor patrollers, vessel inspectors and deployable response groups with the aim to intensify the presence of the PCG in the port passenger terminals, as well as in the vast waters of the country to monitor maritime traffic.

“In order for tourists to have a safe vacation, we have ensured that the lifeguards and other first responders deployed at beaches, island resorts, and other maritime tourism spots, especially in the Visayas and Mindanao, are well-trained,” Abu said.

He added that the PCG will build first aid and rescue equipment facilities in crowded tourist destinations to be able to respond immediately when an unexpected incident occurs.

Despite these operations, Abu emphasized that the PCG will continue to focus on the oil spill response operations in Oriental Mindoro for the immediate recovery of the affected residents.

“Under the leadership of Incident Commander, CG Commodore Geronimo Tuvilla, and in collaboration with the United States Coast Guard, our citizens can expect continuous offshore and shoreline response operations, especially in Naujan, Polan, and Bulalacao,” Abu said.

Based on the directive of Department of Transportation secretary Jaime Bautista, the PCG, the Philippine Ports Authority, and the Maritime Industry Authority will work together in managing the operation of sea transport facilities to make the trip at sea safe and secure.

Additional terminal facilities are also ready to ensure that travelers will be comfortable, as well as the contingency plan of the DoTr Maritime Sector in the event of a disaster.

Meanwhile, the PCG also continues to coordinate with the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the Philippine National Police, and the local government units to combat any threat to public security due to the expected influx of passengers in transport terminals and tourist destinations in different parts of the country.