ILOILO City – All leaves of Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) personnel in Western Visayas have been cancelled so they could attend to keeping the seaports and travelers safe this Hole Week.
The PCG is on heightened alert for the influx of travelers in seaports.
Starting yesterday, April 2, until April 10 the PCG is intensifying its security and safety measures in all seaports across the region, said Lieutenant Commander Jansen Benjamin, PCG-Western Visayas spokesperson.
The PCG launched “Oplan Biyaheng Ayos” together with the Philippine National Police (PNP), Philippine Ports Authority (PPA), Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA), and other security forces.
Help desks and medical teams will also be stationed in ports to assist travelers who may need help.
To ensure that no deadly weapons and contrabands could be transported, the PCG will place additional K9 units particularly in Dumangas port in Dumangas, Iloilo; Caticlan port in Malay, Aklan; Parola wharf in Iloilo City; San Carlos port in San Carlos, Negros Occidental; and Bredco port in Bacolod City.
Benjamin said the fight against illegal drugs is a shared responsibility of the community and security forces, thus he is calling for the cooperation of the public.
“Ang aton community mag-share man sang information kay ang PNP, PDEA (Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency), PCG, and other security forces pirme gid naga-meeting para mag-combat sang illegal drugs,” Benjamin said in an interview with Panay News.
In anticipation of the influx of travelers, Benjamin said they have been conducting information and education campaign on what to do to when traveling this Holy Week.
The PCG also reminds boat operators and shipping companies to follow the load capacity as ordered by the MARINA to avoid overloading.
“Ang sea vessels may ara sang capacity nga ginahatag sang aton MARINA. Usually once nga makita nga sobra kadamo, siempre gina-cushion naton,” said Benjamin.
He added they will particularly focus at the Parola wharf in this city and Jordan wharf in Jordan, Guimaras due to the expected influx of pilgrims who will visit the island province to witness the “Ang Pagtaltal sa Bala-an bukid 2023.”
“The Coast Guard will be very strict this time para sa safety sang aton public and commuters,” the PCG-Western Visayas spokesperson said.
With the rising heat index, Benjamin said travelers should plan out their Holy Week trip earlier, bring water to stay hydrated, bring umbrella, and wear comfortable clothes, among others./PN
