ILOILO City – The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) will mobilize a total of 234 personnel for today’s highlight of the 47th Iloilo-Guimaras Paraw Regatta Festival.
The PCG deployment will begin as early as 6 a.m., according to PCG-Iloilo commander Lieutenant Rodolfo Dela Peña.
Dela Peña said their personnel will focus on securing the spectators of Paraw Regatta’s main sailing event at Villa beach in Arevalo district.
The PCG personnel will also man the nautical route of those joining this year’s competition.
Around 40 paraws, or double outrigger sailboats, will participate in the contest.
Twelve of these paraws are from Boracay, according to race director Dr. Roberto Somosa.
The contest has three categories – A, B and C – based on the sailboats’ measurement.
Sailboats which measure 25 feet in length are under Category A. These paraws should be made of wood or bamboo, Somosa said.
“Indi puede ang modification. Indi puede maggamit sang aluminum or any form of modification nga maglain na ang component sa traditional nga baroto,” he added.
In Category B and C, the sailboat’s waterline length – or the portion of the boat that submerges in water – will be the basis.
Sailboats with waterline length between 16.1 feet to 22 feet are under Category B while those with waterline length from 22.1 feet and above are under Category C.
The sailing event is open for everyone.
Its point of origin will be at Tatoy’s Manokan, or Marker 1. The sailboats will then go to Marker 2 in Calaparan, Arevalo; Marker 3 at the fishing port; Marker 4 at the Buenavista wharf; and Marker 5 at Jordan wharf.
Marker 6 is the Bundolan point. Sailboats will then have to go back to Marker 1 to finish the race.
The PCG will also deploy eight floating assets – including two patrol boats, three aluminum boats, and three rubber boats – to respond in case of sea accidents.
Dela Peña said each marker will have an assigned PCG personnel and a Red Cross volunteer.
He added that spectators should refrain from being close to the shoreline during the race.
“Ginabawalan ang nagalantaw sa shoreline kay basi mabungguan or madisgrasya sila,” warned Dela Peña.
Those who will participate in the race should also wear life jackets.
According to Dela Peña, the PCG will recommend to stop the paraw race should there be big waves that could pose risk to sailors./PN
