Coast Guard on heightened alert as storm nears PAR

October 29, 2020

Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) units in the areas that will be affected by a severe tropical storm set to enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) Thursday afternoon or evening were placed under heightened alert to assist the local government in possible evacuation and rescue operation.

Commodore Armando Balilo, PCG spokesman, said PCG chief Admiral George Ursabia Jr has ordered Coast Guard districts, stations, and sub-stations that will be affected by the storm to go on heightened alert to prevent or minimize loss of lives and properties.

A severe tropical storm with the international name ''Goni'' was located by state weather forecasters on 10 am 1,545 km east of Central Luzon outside  PAR.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said ''Goni'', which has winds of 95 kilometers per hour and gusts of 115 kilometers per hour, is expected to enter the eastern boundary of PAR late Thursday.

"The Coast Guard Commandant particularly directed Coast Guard District – Bicol, Coast Guard District – Eastern Visayas, Coast Guard District – Southern Tagalog, and Coast Guard District – Northern Luzon to muster  their respective deployable response groups (DRGs) to ensure personnel and assets are ready to assist local government units (LGU) in evacuating or rescuing residents who may be affected by the onslaught," he said.

"DRGs composed of expert divers, rescue swimmers, paramedics, and K-9 units is put on high state of readiness, while PCG personnel deployed in port areas are instructed to implement precautionary measures with extra vigilance, on top of the strict enforcement of IATF quarantine protocols and health regulations," he added.

Balilo said  PCG sub-station personnel are ordered to coordinate with local fishing communities to advise local fishermen not to risk their lives and follow the safety guidelines during inclement weather.

Members of the PCG Auxiliary are ready to augment Coast Guard rescue teams, as the need arises, added Balilo.

Ursabia said "notice to Mariners have been issued to remind vessels that may be affected by the latest weather disturbance to find safer areas to shelter, thereby preventing...what happened in Mabini and Bauan, Batangas during the onslaught of Typhoon 'Quinta' where at least ten maritime incidents were monitored and responded by the PCG."

“We have also released an advisory to those who will travel and take the Matnog, Bicol – Allen, Samar and Batangas – Mindoro routes to regularly check the weather forecast as the PCG will strictly implement the ‘No Sail Policy’ during inclement weather,” Ursabia said.

“We do not want them to be stranded and converge in port areas and waterways, compromising the prescribed health and safety protocols amid the coronavirus pandemic,” he added.

Balilo said for areas that will not be affected by the weather disturbance, "Coast Guard units are directed to strictly implement vessel safety protocols to manage the expected influx of passengers, especially of short distance and inter-island travel, as Filipinos will go home to be with their families in commemoration of Undas2020 over the weekend."

Safety inspectors and security personnel are to intensify luggage check among locally stranded individuals (LSIs), authorized persons outside residence (APORs), and returning overseas Filipinos (ROFs) to uphold orderly, safe, and secure sea travel, said Balilo.

The PCG Command Center will monitor maritime operations, as well as the number of affected passengers, truck drivers, cargo helpers, vessels, motorbancas, and rolling cargoes as the storm continues to intensify as it enters the Philippine Area of Responsibility, said Balilo. Robina Asido/DMS