All Coast Guard districts in Bicol Region and other areas expected to be affected by tropical depression “Ulysses” were directed to be on heightened alert to ensure zero maritime incidents.
Adm. George Ursabia, Philippine Coast Guard commandant, has directed Coast Guard unit commanders situated in areas that will be directly affected by “Ulysses” to intensify precautionary measures.
“This is to uphold ‘zero maritime incident’ and conduct proactive disaster response operations,” Ursabia said.
The commandant specifically instructed Coast Guard Districts in the Bicol region and the National Capital Region (NCR) to ensure the completeness and preparedness of their deployable response groups and quick response teams.
“Typhoon ‘Ulysses’ is more powerful than Typhoon ‘Rolly.’ This time, Metro Manila is the direct path of the tropical cyclone and its outer ring will be as far as Cagayan Valley in the north of Luzon, as well as Bicol and Mindoro in the south. Let us monitor closely and prepare accordingly to ensure maritime safety at all costs,” Ursabia said.
All Coast Guard vessels that are ready for sea were also tasked to take shelter in Visayas while response teams in Bicol, Metro Manila, Quezon Province, Rizal, Bulacan, Bataan, and Zambales are also scheduled to muster their personnel, and inspect search and rescue (SAR) assets and equipment for evacuation and rescue operations.
Station commanders deployed in the affected areas were also told to prepare for the issuance of appropriate advisories to fishermen, ship crew, and other maritime stakeholders within the day.
Meanwhile, Coast Guard units in areas that will not be directly affected by the weather disturbance were tasked to coordinate with their respective PCG Auxiliary Squadrons to gather and repack food, medical supplies, and other relief goods as early as Tuesday.
“This is to ensure that the Coast Guard will be able to provide humanitarian assistance to families that will be affected by the tropical cyclone immediately after the weather stabilizes,” Ursabia said.
“It may take a week kung maghihintay pa ng directive bago mag-mobilize. Mahalaga na ngayon pa lang, naghahanda na tayo (It may take a week if we wait for the directive before mobilizing resources. It’s important to prepare now),” he added.