Nakahanda na ang lahat ng unit ng Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) para sa Semana Santa.
Ayon kay PCG Commandant, CG Admiral Artemio Abu, nakataas na sa heightened alert ang ahensya simula sa araw ng Biyernes, April 8, hanggang April 18.
Alinsunod sa direktiba ni Transportation Secretary Art Tugade, ipinag-utos ni Abu sa lahat ng Coast Guard units na simulan ang proactive measures upang masiguro ang kaligtasan at seguridad ng mga pasaherong bibiyahe papunta sa iba’t ibang lalawigan.
“I instructed District Commanders to be present on the ground and oversee the implementation of maximum security measures,” pahayag ni Abu.
Dagdag nito, “They are also responsible for supervising the conduct of regular port monitoring and coastal security patrol in major tourist destinations.”
Muling binigyang-diin ni Abu ang pagsasagawa ng vessel inspection para matiyak ang seaworthiness ng lahat ng pampasaherong bangka, kabilang ang pagkakaroon ng lifejackets at iba pang lifesaving equipment, at mga dokumento.
“I am also appealing to the general public to be patient during the pre-departure inspection. Please make sure that you have all documentary requirements requested by the local government unit (LGU) of your destination to avoid delays as there are LGUs requiring antigen test and S-PASS registration upon arrival,” ani Abu.
Hinikayat din nito ang publiko na patuloy na sundin ang minimum health protocols para sa kaligtasan na lahat sa gitna ng COVID-19 pandemic.
Simula sa araw ng Biyernes, nagtalaga na ng karagdagang security personnel at medical officers para sa Malasakit Help Desks sa ilang port terminals, katuwang ang Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) at Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA).
“Our sea passengers may proceed to these booths for queries regarding their sea travel and/or medical assistance,” saad ng PCG Commandant.
Payo pa sa publiko, magtungo sa pantalan tatlong oras bago ang departure schedule para sa safety at security protocols, at maging sa pre-departure inspection sa sasakyang-pandagat.
“Again, we are reminding our sea passengers to avoid carrying prohibited items such as flammable liquids and solids, corrosive materials, toxic and infectious substances, compressed gases, radioactive materials, and explosives as these are not allowed on board passenger vessels. If authorized to carry firearms, make sure that you have complete documents for review,” paalala pa nito.
Samantala, nag-deploy na rin ang Coast Guard Districts ng dagdag na lifeguards para makatulong sa resort owners at lokal na pamahalaan na maabot ang zero casualty sa kasagsagan ng Semana Santa.
Magkakaroon din ng foot patrol teams sa ilang tourist destinations at water sports locations para maging mabilis ang pagresponde sakaling magkaroon ng hindi inaasahang insidente.