PCG: Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Commandant, Vice Admiral Rodolfo D Isorena has instructed all units to prepare for the expected influx of shipping passengers as the vacation and long Lenten break are drawing near.

In a command conference held today, March 20 at the headquarters of the Philippine Coast Guard, Vice Admiral Isorena ordered all officials and personnel of the agency to brace up security measures on all ports and ferry terminals in the country since Holy Week and summer vacations are already approaching where lots of passengers and tourists were expected to go to their respective provinces and flock along the different beach resorts across the nation.

Coast Guard units are mandated to be on heightened alert during the observance of Holy Week. PCG personnel are also advised to ensure that all maritime activities are monitored and that all Coast Guard personnel and assets are ready and prepared to respond to any maritime incident immediately.

He added that they have directed ship inspectors and Coast Guard K-9 teams to exercise extra vigilance in ports with random checks on passengers and luggage. He also appeals for the cooperation of the passengers with regards to the tighter security steps enforced to make sure their safety travel.

Isorena also ordered to intensify the mandatory pre-departure inspection to prevent overloading of passenger vessels and to ensure that vessels are seaworthy prior to departure particularly that shipping vessels must have adequate number of life-saving equipment.

As per coordination with the ship owners and operators, passengers should be at the seaport at least three hours before departure time, avoid restricted cargo such as flammable liquids and solids, corrosive materials, toxic and infectious substances, compressed gasses, radioactive materials and explosives to avoid search delays and inconveniences.

Passenger Assistance Center booths will be jointly manned by teams from PCG, Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC), Philippine Ports Authority (PPA), Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA), and the Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary (PCGA) with close coordination with the Philippine National Police (PNP) to address the concerns of passengers.