Coast Guard on alert for holidays

MANILA, Philippines - Coast Guard units nationwide have been placed on heightened alert for ready response to any maritime incident during the Christmas and New Year holidays.

Oplan Ligtas Byahe was launched yesterday for the expected increased number of passengers boarding ships for holiday destinations.

Coast Guard Commandant Rear Adm. Rodolfo Isorena said they are closely monitoring favorite Christmas destinations like Cebu, Batangas, Iloilo, Bicol, Boracay, Coron and Puerto Galera.

Rescue divers, paramedics and K-9 units must be on a high level of readiness so they can immediately respond to maritime and land-based disasters, he added.

Isorena said the Coast Guard will also beef up on-ship and pre-departure inspections to ensure no overloading and to highlight safety during inclement weather.

“All Coast Guard stations and detachments have likewise been placed on heightened alert and further directed to ensure that their personnel are more visible and vigilant against overloading of vessels, lack of lifesaving appliances, improper lashing of cargo and colorum vessels, among others, in coordination with shipping and local port authorities,” he said.

They will also strengthen security arrangements in ports and on board ships, Isorena said.

Travelers are advised to come early to ports, carry light baggage and to avoid bringing bladed weapons, firecrackers, noxious substances and flammable items and unlicensed firearms.

Passenger terminal booths will be placed in major port terminals nationwide to provide and render necessary assistance to passengers.

Coast Guard units nationwide were instructed to coordinate with other agencies like the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, Armed Forces,  Philippine National Police, Philippine Red Cross and the Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary.