LINGAYEN, Pangasinan --The Pangasinan Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) with other government agencies will deploy 36 personnel to ensure zero casualty incidents at the Lingayen beach during the Lenten break starting Thursday.
Noel Cabobos, operations unit search and rescue supervisor of PDRRMO-Pangasinan in an interview with the Philippine News Agency (PNA) on Wednesday, said that aside from the 13 lifeguards from their office, some augmentations from the Pangasinan police provincial office (PPO), Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), Water Search and Rescue (WASAR) Team and Task Force Capitol will help ensure the safety and protection of beachgoers.
He enumerated that 10 of the personnel are police officers from PPO; five lifeguards from WASAR teams of Bugallon and Calasiao; two from PCG; and five from the newly-created Task Force Capitol.
Cabobos said the police and task force will help maintain peace and order as well as implement regulations such as the liquor ban and noise reduction in the area, while the lifeguards and coastguards will watch over the swimmers at the Lingayen beach.
Meanwhile, Cabobos reminded visitors to the Lingayen beach to “heed the warning flags”.
He said warning flags are set on specific areas of the beach to give instructions to swimmers.
Red flags signify no swimming in the area, while yellow flags indicate swimmers need to take precaution while swimming in the area, said Cabobos.
He added that violet flags indicate presence of jellyfish thus swimming is prohibited as there are recorded incidents of jellyfish attacks in the past, while green flags mean area is safe for swimming.
Cabobos also warned swimmers of rip currents which can be dangerous, thus it is important to follow the warning flags.
“No swimming policy by 6 p.m. will be strictly implemented,” he added.
Last year, PDRRMO recorded zero casualties but there are near- drowning incidents.
PDRRMO expects 6, 000 to 10, 000 beachgoers this Lenten season from March 22 to April 1. (PNA)
