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BY MERIANNE GRACE EREÑETA and GLENDA SOLOGASTOA
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ILOILO City – Avoid the Halloween rush home. Book your tickets early, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) urged sea travelers.
Nov. 1 is the traditional observance of All Saints’ Day, a special nonworking holiday. People visit cemeteries where their dead loved ones are buried.
“To avoid long lines, buy your boat tickets early,” said PCG-Iloilo’s Lieutenant Commander Ramil Palabrica.
He also reminded the public not to bring prohibited items such as illegal drugs, guns and other deadly weapons.
Security in seaports has been tightened, said Palabrica. Drug- and bomb-sniffing dogs are being used.
As part of PCG’s Oplan Undas Ligtas Biyahe, at least 100 personnel were deployed to various ports.
“We are also coordinating with the Philippine Ports Authority, Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) and Philippine National Police,” said Palabrica.
He warned seagoing vessels not to overload.
PCG has information desks in all seaports. Palabrica said their Oplan Undas Ligtas Biyahe ends on Nov. 5.
Meanwhile, government agency members of the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC) in Western Visayas have been on alert status since Oct. 28.
According to the Office of Civil Defense regional director Rosario Cabrera, also the chairperson of RDRRMC, their goal is to ensure public safety.
They have strengthened the “communication and warning groups” in different areas of the region.
RDDRMC member-agencies are the Department of Interior and Local Government, Philippine National Police, PCG, Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines, Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), and Bureau of Fire Protection, among others.
DPWH has activated its Lakbay-Alalay Program. It has composite teams managing traffic flows. Director Wenceslao Leano also directed his district offices to coordinate with other agencies like the Land Transportation Office, local government units and police.
MARINA, on the other hand, has its Oplan Ligtas Biyahe Undas 2016. Director Mary Ann Arcilla said there will be random monitoring of all passenger vessels./PN
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