It’s summer! Coastguard to patrol beach resorts more

MANILA, Philippines – It’s summer and they are, of course, heading to the beach. For the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), however, vacation for most people means conducting more rounds than usual, and that’s what it will do.

In a command conference early this week, the PCG commandant, Vice Admiral Rodolfo Isorena, said they should brace for the expected influx of shipping passengers heading to provinces and to beach resorts for the long Lenten break and the summer season.

“The commandant has particularly instructed district commanders to be visible in ports, and to patrol harbors, resorts, and tourist areas like Boracay, Mindoro, Palawan, and Subic,” said PCG spokesperson Commander Armand Balilo.

Isorena also directed district commanders to coordinate with shipping companies for necessary safety measures.

Balilo added that the PCG will check beach resorts nationwide to see if they have capable lifeguards or if they have signs put up for the benefit of beachgoers.

The alert of the PCG would start on April 11, Balilo said. PCG K-9 teams will be deployed in ports.

Mandatory pre-departure inspection will also be intensified to prevent overloading in passenger vessels, added Balilo.

The PCG advises passengers to comply with rules and regulations in ports and passenger terminals to avoid search delays and inconveniences.

In addition, passenger assistance center (PAC) booths will be put up, manned jointly by teams from PCG, the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC), Philippine Ports Authority (PPA), Maritime Industry Authority (Marina), and the Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary (PCGA), in close coordination with the Philippine National Police (PNP).

PCG has submitted a memorandum circular to the DOTC for review.

The memorandum circular mandates the monitoring of all maritime activities, including recreational ones like diving, paragliding, parasailing, and jet skiing.

All PCG units are instructed to be on high alert, and to respond to any maritime incident immediately.

The coastguard hopes that the DOTC would implement it in time for the summer season. – Michael Bueza/Rappler.com