PCG: In view of the upcoming celebration of the Holy Week wherein heavy influx of ship passengers are expected to occur in various ports nationwide, PCG Officer-In-Charge Commodore Joel S Garcia has directed all Coast Guard units to strictly implement maximum security measures and maintain regular monitoring of the seagoing public.

Commodore Garcia announced that the PCG units all over the country will be on “alert status” from April 5 to April 20, 2017. Commodore Garcia gave emphasis on the preparedness and readiness of all the Coast Guard’s personnel assets at all times in any case of maritime emergencies or situations.

Commodore Garcia said that “it is part of our duty to ensure the safe and convenient sea travels of everyone who will utilize sea transport during the Lenten Season. Thus, ship inspectors and Coast Guard K-9 teams were also instructed to exercise extra vigilance in ports and to conduct random checks on passengers and their luggage to ensure that no dangerous cargoes or explosive materials will be carried onboard passenger and cargo vessels’’.

He further said that, pre-departure inspections will be intensified to prevent ships from carrying passengers more than its capacity and to ensure that the vessels are seaworthy prior the departure and must have adequate number of life-saving equipment onboard.  Ships must also present all valid pertinent documents prior to granting of clearance to depart.

Passengers Assistance Center (PAC) booths will also be established in every ports nationwide and will be manned by the PCG together with personnel from the Department of Transportations (DOTr), Philippine Ports Authority (PPA), Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA), and the Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary (PCGA), and with close coordination with the Philippine National Police (PNP) to cater to the concerns and the needs of the passengers.  Coast Guard medical teams will also be placed on standby at the said booths to provide medical assistance.

PCG advises the public to be at the seaport at least three (3) hours before the departure time, and to avoid carrying prohibited cargoes such as flammable liquids and solids, corrosive materials, toxic and infectious substances, compressed gases, radioactive materials and explosives, and to present complete documents if carrying firearms to avoid search delays and inconvenience. Likewise, it urges passengers riding on boats with open deck to cooperate fully in the regulation on wearing of life jacket during the voyage.