Coast Guard places units on full alert for next week’s holidays

October 27, 2017

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) placed all its units on full alert since last Thursday in preparation to the observance of All Saints’ and All Souls’ days next week.

“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,” said Capt. Armando Balilo, Philippine Coast Guard spokesman.

Balilo said to ensure the orderly operation of sea transport facilities and safe travel of the seafaring public the PCG has activated the “Oplan Biyaheng Ayos” from October 26 until November 2017.

“Passengers Assistance Center (PAC) booths will be set up in various seaports nationwide where heavy influx of passengers are expected,” he said.

“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,” he added.

Balilo said all the “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 said

Balilo also reminds 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 of 12 noon Friday, the Philippine Coast Guard has monitored a total of 58,419 outbound passengers from different ports nationwide. Robina Asido/DMS