PCG: 2 ships, 6 floating assets to patrol Boracay during closure

SUNSET IN BORACAY Foreign and local tourists enjoy the sunset in Boracay despite reports of
persistent environmental problems on the country’s top resort island. INQUIRER file photo / SHERWIN VARDELEON

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on Tuesday said that two ships and six floating assets have been deployed to patrol the beaches of Boracay during the island’s six-month closure starting April 26.

In a statement, PCG spokesman Armand Balilo said the vessels would ensure the security of the island as the government was set to conduct rehabilitation activities on the resort island.

Balilo said that the PCG will also deploy buoy markers along Boracay’s Station One, located on the north end of the island’s White Beach, where swimming activities would be allowed.

The spokesman added that the PCG will station personnel to guard the island’s shoreline as no floating asset was allowed within its three-kilometer radius.

Restricted water activities

Sea marshals would also be designated to ensure that only Boracay residents are allowed to conduct fishing activities in the island.

“Ayon kay Lieutenant Commander Ramil Palabrica, PCG Station Commander ng Caticlan, nakahanda din ang pwersa ng PCG kung sakaling may magproprotestang mga bangkero at magtatangkang manggulo at papasok sa shoreline ng Boracay,” Balilo said.

(The PCG is ready in case there would be boatmen who will launch protest action and threaten to enter the shoreline of Boracay and disrupt peace and order.)

Likewise, the PCG spokesman said that Coast Guard Station Caticlan met with various motorbanca associations and motorboat operators to discuss issues and concerns involving water sports activities.

Also discussed in the meeting were the issuance of ID cards to Boracay residents and workers as well as the strict implementation of “one entry, one exit” policy on the island, Balilo said.

“Sinisigurado ng PCG na patuloy pa rin ang pagsasagawa ng pre-departure inspection sa lahat ng floating vessels upang masigurado na walang unauthorized passengers sa lugar at hindi overloaded ang mga ito,” Balilo said.

(The PCG assures that we continue to implement pre-departure inspection on all floating vessels to ensure no unauthorized passengers are getting into the area and these vessels are not overloaded.)

“Alinsunod sa pagreregulate ng lifeguards sa isla, nakipag-coordinate na rin ang PCG sa Philippine Life Saving Association, isang TESDA-accredited na lisensyado na mag-training ng lifeguards sa lahat ng beach resorts at hotel owners,” he said.

(According to the regulation implemented for lifeguards in the island, the PCG is coordinating with the Philippine Life Saving Association, a TESDA-accredited group, to train lifeguards in all beach resorts and hotel owners.) /jpv

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