By Raymond Carl Dela Cruz
MANILA – Holy Week travelers have started their exodus to the provinces on Monday, with the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) logging over 100,000 passengers in all ports nationwide.
In a situation update, the PCG monitored 55,269 outbound passengers and 46,724 inbound passengers in all ports nationwide from 6 a.m. to 12 noon.
“Moreover, 4,102 deployed frontline personnel in 16 PCG Districts have inspected 734 vessels and 804 motor bancas,” it said.
In a Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon interview over PTV, PCG spokesperson Commander Michael John Encina said all ports nationwide are on heightened alert from April 13 (Palm Sunday) to 20 (Easter Sunday)
To ensure the safety of the seafaring public, he said a total of 17,000 PCG personnel would be deployed during this period.
Teams will be deployed in ‘Malasakit Help Desks’ and provide first aid treatment, while K-9 teams will check passenger baggage and other cargo.
“Mayroon din po tayong mga na-deploy na mga sea marshals doon po sa mga malalayong biyahe from Manila going to Cebu, from Manila going to Zamboanga and back/forth (We will also deploy sea marshals in long-distance voyages such as from Manila to Cebu or from Manila to Zamboanga and back),” he said.
In addition, he said the PCG is closely coordinating with the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA), the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA), and the Department of Tourism (DOT) to secure ports, beaches, and other tourism hubs.
“The PCG will be conducting recreational safety enforcement inspections where major tourist spots all over the country will be inspected to ensure they have qualified lifeguards and they have sufficient medical personnel,” he said.
He also called on passengers to refrain from bringing any banned items during their journey to avoid any delay.
“Patuloy po na magka-conduct ang PCG ng mga inspection and paneling po sa mga kargamentong ito (The PCG will continue to conduct inspections and paneling of cargo),” he said. (PNA)
