PORT SECURITY. Personnel of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) monitor disembarking RoRo passengers at a port in Isabela City, Basilan on Aug. 16, 2022. The PCG will be on heightened alert beginning March 23 to April 3, 2024 as part of the agency's preparations for this year's "Semana Santa". (Photo courtesy of PCG)
MANILA – The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on Wednesday started preparations for its scheduled heightened alert from March 23 to April 3 as part of the Department of Transportation’s (DOTr) “Oplan Biyaheng Ayos: Semana Santa 2024.”
In a statement, PCG spokesperson Admiral Armando Balilo said PCG districts, stations, and sub-stations were ordered to intensify seaborne patrols and safety measures on all ports and waterways nationwide by PCG Commandant, Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan.
“This is to ensure the smooth operations of sea transport facilities, convenient sea travel, and safety of local and foreign tourists in major beach and private resorts amid the anticipated increased volume of maritime traffic,” Balilo said.
PCG personnel, he said, will conduct 24/7 monitoring of nautical highways in the western and eastern seaboards, including inter-island routes.
The western seaboard includes Batangas, Occidental Mindoro, Oriental Mindoro, Aklan, Iloilo, and Zamboanga region while the eastern seaboard is composed of Manila, Bicol region, Samar, Leyte, and Surigao provinces.
“Coast Guard medical officers will also be deployed to augment existing medical teams during emergencies,” he said.
PCG Auxiliary (PCGA) volunteers have been organized into deployable response groups (DRG) that will assist during the holy week operations.
“PCG Commandant [Gavan] has also instructed PCG personnel and PCGA volunteers to exercise vigilance and extend patience during passenger and luggage checks,” he said.
PCG K9 units and security teams will be dispatched to port terminals as well as in vessel inspections to ensure “zero maritime casualties.”
“PCG rescuers who are trained to do first aid and life-saving techniques will also assist lifeguards and first responders in maritime tourist destinations,” he said.
Seaborne patrol units are also being prepared for possible search and rescue (SAR) missions in their areas of responsibility.
In addition to assisting DOTr-attached agencies such as the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) and the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) in performing vessel safety and security inspections, PCG personnel will also assist the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) in manning security checkpoints.
“[This is to] ensure public safety and security, especially in highly-populated tourist areas,” he said.
The holy week – from March 24 to 30 – is the sixth and last week of Lent and is considered the most sacred week in the liturgical year in Christianity.
In the Philippines, the holy week begins on the Friday of Sorrows to Palm Sunday and continues through to Easter Sunday. (PNA)
