PCG PR
PORT AREA, MANILA – The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has geared up its preparations amid tropical depression, #VickyPH to ensure all deployable response groups (DRGs) in affected areas are all-set for evacuation and relief operations, in coordination with local government units (LGUs) and respective Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Offices (MDRRMOs).
PCG Commandant, Admiral George V Ursabia Jr has directed concerned district commanders to issue maritime safety advisories to shipping operators whose routes are directly compromised by the ongoing weather disturbance, specifically in Southern Visayas, Central Visayas, Western Visayas, Eastern Visayas, North Eastern Mindanao, and Northern Mindanao where the PCG Command Center has monitored a total of 1,382 passengers, drivers, and cargo helpers; 59 vessels; nine motorbancas; and 524 rolling cargoes stranded as of 04:00 a.m. today, 19 December 2020.
Moreover, Coast Guard Sub-Stations in affected areas have been instructed to advise local fishermen to strictly follow guidelines during heavy weather for their personal safety.
“Our local fishermen are slowly returning to their normal operations that were significantly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and recent typhoons. Hence, we have to work side by side with them so we may prevent the further loss of lives and properties, without compromising their opportunities to feed their growing families,” Admiral Ursabia said.
Meanwhile, Coast Guard units in areas that are not directly affected by the latest tropical depression are directed to strictly implement vessel safety and security protocols in managing the influx of passengers, especially of short distance and inter-island travels, as Filipinos brave public transport despite the risks to be with their families this Christmas season.
Safety inspectors and security personnel also intensify luggage check among locally stranded individuals (LSIs), authorized persons outside residence (APORs), and returning overseas Filipinos (ROFs) to ensure orderly, safe, and secure sea travel.
Finally, the PCG also maintains active collaboration with the PCG Auxiliary in the preparation of necessary food provisions and relief supplies to ensure humanitarian assistance and disaster response operations will be extended to the most affected communities as soon as the weather permits.
“The massive scale of destruction brought about by Super Typhoon Rolly and Typhoon Ulysses prompted us to train harder, organize further, and be equip better so, with God’s guidance and protection, we can further contribute in timely and appropriate collective disaster response efforts that our distressed kababayans so deserve,” Admiral Ursabia exhorted.
