The 25,000-strong Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) will be on heightened alert to ensure peace and security during the celebration of the Christmas festivities, its top official disclosed Monday, Dec. 5.
The heightened alert status will begin on Dec. 15, 2022 and will last up to Jan. 7, 2023.
“Ngayon magpa-Pasko, very busy ang mga kababayan natin traveling using sea transportation system. Nandyan ang Coast Guard, we will put them on a heightened alert status (This Christmas, our countrymen are very busy traveling using the sea transportation system. The Coast Guard is here and we will put them on a heightened alert status),” said Adm. Artemio Abu, PCG Commandant.
Under a heightened alert status, the PCG will be tasked to work with other government agencies to ensure the safety and security in all ports, harbors, and appropriate areas where heavy influx of passengers are expected due to the Christmas break.
The PCG is expected to conduct heightened vessel inspections, augment port personnel in managing passengers and maritime traffic, and man help desks in various seaport terminals. They will also be ordered to perform foot patrols and prepare deployable response groups (DRGs) and contingency plans for maritime incident and emergencies among others.
Abu said also part of the PCG’s deployment are the EDSA bus carousel routes and airports.
“Nandyan tayo lahat at ‘yan ay heightened alert. Magtatrabaho tayo at strategically deployed ‘yan all over the country (We will all be there under a heightened alert status. We will work together and will be strategically deployed all over the country),” he noted.
The PCG chief encouraged the public to plan their trips ahead to avoid inconvenience. He also reminded ship owners to ensure the sea worthiness of their vessels before traveling to avoid accidents.
Earlier in the day, Abu led the oath-taking of 850 draftees who will undergo PCG training in Zamboanga.
“Continuing ‘yung pagdami ng personnel natin at also ‘yung pagmodernize ng asset natin. Kaya nga dapat ay suklian natin ‘yan ng serbisyo na kailangan ng ating mga kababayan (Our personnel are continuously increasing and our assets are being modernized. That’s why we need to return the favor by serving the public),” the PCG commandant said.