PCG readies deployment for Holy Week, summer vacation

By Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD City – The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG)-Negros Occidental urged its personnel to be more vigilant and to ensure that their assets should be operational and ready for the safety of the vacationers in time for the Holy Week and summer vacation.

According to Commander Joe Luviz Mercurio, head of PCG-Negros Occidental, Coast Guard personnel should have adequate understanding and competence for any purpose or undertaking that may arise during said occasions, considering that the PCG has a mandate to ensure the safety of the general public.

All the personnel should be aboard their respective posts, he added.

Mercurio said they will strengthen their efforts particularly their presence in beaches, resorts, and other areas where there is influx of vacationers.

“This is to ensure that in times of eventuality, we are ready, and are capable with the limited time requirement to assist or provide rescue as may be necessary,” he added.

Mercurio said all substations are required to have a quick reaction team.

The PCG is on heightened alert for the two occasions.

Mercurio said they have already checked Sipaway island in San Carlos City and other resorts in Escalante City, where vacationers would usually go during summer vacation.

This is to ensure that resorts have lifeguards capable to perform rescue operation if necessary, he added.