ILOILO City – The Philippine Coast Guard deployed around 108 personnel to enforce tight security measures during the Guimaras’ Manggahan Festival.
Lieutenant Colonel Rodolfo dela Peña, PCG-Iloilo commander, said 68 coast guard personnel and 40 auxiliaries are positioned in Jordan and Buenavista wharfs in Guimaras and the Parolla wharf in this city.
“Our personnel and auxiliaries are now ready to assist passengers and respond to any incident,” said dela Peña on Saturday.
He added the passengers started to grow in numbers as various activities are now being held in the island.
Dela Peña noted they have conducted follow-up inspections on the motorized bancas after the Holy Week to ensure that all of these have complied with the Safety of Life at Sea Equipment.
The motorized boats during Holy Week were given stickers to prove they have complied with the safety requirements.
Dela Peña also sought the cooperation and patience of passengers who will partake to the festivity.
“Compared to normal days, the number of passengers will increase during the Manggahan and so we ask the public to be patient, especially in lining up in our wharfs,” he stressed. (With a report from PNA/PN)
