THE Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) is gearing up its operating units to be on heightened alert for the upcoming Christmas season, starting from 13 December 2024 to 06 January 2025.
Anchored on the directive of Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Jaime Bautista to ensure safe, smooth, and convenient sea transportation during the Christmas season, PCG Commandant, Admiral Ronnie Gil L Gavan PCG, has instructed all PCG Districts, Stations, and Sub-Stations to intensify security and safety measures on all ports and ferry terminals.
This is to ensure the orderly operations of sea transport facilities, convenient travel of the seafaring public, peaceful celebration of Christmas, and security of tourists in beach and private resorts nationwide.
“Our kababayans have long been waiting for this season to spend quality time with their families and loved ones, either at their home provinces or in various vacation spots. Thus, we are anticipating and preparing for the high volume of maritime traffic,” Admiral Gavan PCG expressed.
“We conduct 24/7 monitoring of nautical highways routes, especially in the Visayas where most tourist destinations are located. Rest assured, we will ensure maritime security and safety on our western and eastern seaboards, including inter-island routes. Our deployable response groups and the PCG Auxiliary (PCGA) are ready for these operations,” he furthered.
Western seaboard monitoring includes Batangas, Occidental Mindoro, Oriental Mindoro, Aklan, Iloilo, and Zamboanga regions.
Meanwhile, Eastern seaboard monitoring covers Manila, Bicol region, Samar, Leyte, and Surigao provinces.
Moreover, Admiral Gavan PCG urged fellow Coast Guardians to exercise vigilance in inspecting passengers and luggage to ascertain travel safety and security, with medical teams ready to assist during any emergencies.
Coast Guard K9 units and security teams shall conduct strict inspections in passenger terminals and on board ships to ensure safe and convenient port operations.
Furthermore, PCG personnel shall patrol maritime tourist destinations, ready to augment lifeguards and first responders to uphold public safety.
“We have safety inspectors in port terminals, law enforcement teams in strategic tourist vacation spots, patrol teams in critical vicinity waters, and deployable response groups on standby for additional security augmentations and rescue missions, as the need arises,” the Coast Guard Commandant emphasized.
The PCG also intensifies collaboration with the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) and the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA), specifically in performing vessel safety and security inspections on board vessels, as well as reminding port passengers to remain vigilant and alert during their sea travel.
Editor’s Note: This article has been sourced from the Philippine Coast Guard – Philippines Facebook Page.
