Coast Guard on heightened alert for holiday season
MANILA, Philippines—More than a week before Christmas, the Philippine Coast Guard is already on heightened alert as it beefs up safety and security measures for the Yuletide season starting Monday, Dec. 16 until Jan. 5, 2020.
PCG Admiral Joel Garcia, in compliance with the directive of Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade, directed all PCG units to be on heightened alert and intensify safety and security measure on national ports and ferry terminals to “ensure orderly operations on sea transport facilities; safe and convenient travel of the riding public; and security at beaches and local resorts.
PCG ON HEIGHTENED ALERT, BEEFS UP FOR OPLAN BIYAHENG AYOS: PASKO 2019 pic.twitter.com/1HVjwdHJ43
— Philippine Coast Guard (@coastguardph) December 16, 2019
A 55-meter multi-mission offshore vessel, nine 44-meter multi-role response vessels, six 30-meter monitoring control surveillance vessels, two 35m search and rescue vessels, and three 24-meter fast patrol boats were strategically deployed in major ports nationwide, the PCG said.
Small crafts including such as two 12-meter high-speed boats, 10 7-meter rigid hull inflatable boats, and several of aluminum and rubber boats were also deployed to make sure that critical ports are highly monitored against any untoward maritime security incident.Special Operations Forces, Harbor Patrols, and Ship Inspectors are stationed on major ports 24/7, the PCG noted.
PCG personnel, in coordination with the police and military, will also man help desks at major seaports across the country to ensure zero maritime incident or casualty.
