ILOILO CITY — A simulation response activity was conducted here on Friday to ensure the preparedness of various stakeholders in case of an oil spill.
Spearheaded by joint personnel of Philippine Coast Guard 6 (Western Visayas), Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary (PCGA) 6 and Coast Guard Station in Iloilo, the search and rescue operation and oil spill containment and recovery was conducted at the Iloilo River.
Some private response teams and volunteer groups also joined the simulation.
In a media interview, Captain Allan Victor Dela Vega, District Commander of PCG-6, said the simulation exercise enabled them to be more efficient and strengthened their teamwork in response operations.
“It’s a continuous exercise for us to be ready in case a real tragedy happens,” he said. “We will continue to regularly conduct this type of simulation exercises to further improve our competency, efficiency and capability for the safety of the public.”
The simulation started with a scenario of two fast craft colliding near the docking area, causing one fast craft to “sink” and “endangering” around 30 passengers.
About four floating assets responded to the scenario where personnel of coast guard personnel and other stakeholders showcased their capability as rescuers.
Meanwhile, the Coast Guard Medical Service and students from St. Therese Colleges provided their medical expertise by demonstrating basic life support and administering first aid to “victims” during the search and rescue scenario.
“We do not want to be one of those victims while we are responding to an incident,” said Commodore Ronald Raymond Sebastian, district director of PCGA.
Sebastian lamented that there are many support groups, both public and private, in the region but lack training in terms of response.
In Western Visayas, he said there are about 4,000 coast guard auxiliaries.
“So it is very important that at least, we were able to conduct this drill together with the agencies so when it comes to water rescue, medical response and other needed efforts, we can tap them. This will improve our ability to save lives,” he added.
The simulation on oil spill response is among the highlights of the week-long celebration of the 23rd National Maritime Week here. (Cindy Ferrer/PNA)
