Iconic Baguio swan boats repurposed to save lives in Cagayan

MANILA, Philippine — Baguio City’s swan boats are now not only a tourist attraction but also serve as a means of transportation to rescue residents greatly affected by the massive flood in Cagayan.

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In a Facebook post by the Philippine National Police (PNP) Cordillera on Tuesday, it read that a proprietor of Burnham Park’s famous swan boats named Vivian Celso has decided to lend four pontoon boats and a swan boat to help those in distress.

“Though her business was greatly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, the boat owner did not hesitate to lend her source of livelihood to help our distressed ‘kakailyans’ in Cagayan,” the post read, referring to Celso.

LOOK: Troops of the Philippine National Police-Cordillera rescue and transport Cagayan residents affected by massive flood through one of Baguio City's famous swan boat (📸 PNP Cordillera FB Page). @inquirerdotnet pic.twitter.com/M6pSKjQOqN

— Katrina Hallare (@katrinahallare) November 19, 2020

According to the PNP, the boats can carry 10 persons at a time and are ideal as rescue boats “since the fiberglass hulls are not easily punctured compared to that of rubber boats.”

Cagayan is currently under a state of calamity as the province was submerged in a massive flood. [ac]