PCG: To ensure the safety travel of the riding public, all Coast Guard units nationwide will be on full alert status to heighten its security measures on all ports and ferry terminals in the country in preparation to the expected influx of passengers to provinces in connection with the upcoming All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day Feast.

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) will activate the Oplan Biyaheng Ayos from 26 October to 06 November 2017 to ensure the orderly operation of sea transport facilities and safe travel of the seafaring public.

Passengers Assistance Center (PAC) booths will be set up in various seaports nationwide where heavy influx of passengers are expected. The PACs will be manned jointly by teams from the PCG, Department of Transportation, Philippine Ports Authority, Maritime Industry Authority, other government offices and non-government offices and the PCG Auxiliary with close coordination with Philippine National Police (PNP) to address the travellers’ complaints and requests for assistance.

PCG Spokesperson, Captain Armando A Balilo PCG appeals for the passengers’ cooperation as tighter security measures will be enforced for the passenger exodus. Coast Guard units are also advised to ensure that all maritime activities are monitored 24/7 and that all PCG personnel and assets are prepared to respond to any maritime incident. Ship inspectors and PCG K-9 teams were instructed to be vigilant and conduct random checks on passengers and their luggage to ensure that no dangerous cargo or explosive materials would be loaded onboard passenger and cargo vessels.

He also reminds all travelling passengers to be at the seaport at least three hours before departure time, avoiding restricted cargo such as flammable liquids and solids, corrosive materials, toxic and infectious substances, compressed gases, radioactive materials and explosives to avoid search delays and inconveniences.

As safety of the public is the PCG’s primary concern, Balilo urged travellers riding boats with open decks to wear life jackets during the trip. Commuting passengers by ship are also advised to avoid “colorum” inter-island passenger vessels which pose risks to travellers as they have no insurance coverage for their passengers and do not comply with safety standards set by the Maritime Industry Authority (Marina).