ILOILO CITY — The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) will deploy 234 personnel for the Paraw sailing competition on Sunday here.
Lt. Commander Rodolfo dela Peña, PCG-Iloilo commander, said in a phone interview on Saturday the PCG personnel will ensure the safety of the 41 participating paraws and event spectators.
Eight floating assets consist of two patrol crafts, three aluminum boats, and three rubber boats will secure the route of the race, he said.
A team composed of the PCG-Iloilo will provide security; Junior Chamber International (JCI) will serve as umpire; Iloilo Radio Communication and Panay Amateur Radio Communication to relay information from the area of coverage; and Philippine Red Cross for first aid needs will be positioned at every race marker.
PCG personnel are mandated to be at their posts and markers at 6 a.m. on Sunday.
“There will be PCG-personnel assigned to secure the crowd in the shores, some will be at the markers, while some will be deployed in our floating assets. They are mandated to be at their posts early tomorrow,” he said.
The PCG-Iloilo also secured 20 motorized bancas that took part in the Bangcarera last February 10.
Dela Peña noted that there was a sudden change in the wave movement on the day of the Bancarera race. Thus, he regarded the unpredictable weather condition as a challenge for the Paraw sailing competitors.
“The Bancarera was pushed through because we assessed that the participating bancas can stand the sudden change in sea condition. Now, in the ‘Paraw’ sailing race, we also regard the unpredictable weather as one of the challenges,” he said.
The PCG can recommend the suspension of the event to the Iloilo Paraw Regatta Foundation when the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) announces weather disturbances, he added.
For everyone’s safety, spectators of the race are asked to cooperate with authorities while participants boarding their respective paraws are advised to wear life jackets, dela Peña said.