Coast Guard wants search and rescue as course

MANILA, Philippines –  The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) is pushing for the inclusion of maritime search and rescue (SAR) as a training course in the National Service Training Program (NSTP).

PCG spokesman Lt. Commander Arman Balilo said the maritime SAR course would allow students to learn how to rescue and save lives as well.

Balilo said the SAR course is among the three proposals being pushed by the PCG for approval by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) as a collegiate course.

The two other courses the PCG is proposing are environmental protection and law enforcement.

Balilo noted the CHED should await the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of the PCG Law of 2009 before acting on the proposals.

Balilo said the IRR might be approved next month.

Balilo stressed the three courses are timely, considering the country is often struck by typhoons and other calamities every year.

“In the maritime SAR, aside from learning how to swim, the knowledge that they would gain from their training would give them confidence and a better perspective on how to respond to a scenario,” he said.

Balilo cited an example of how to act if there are people trapped in a flooded area.

The PCG has often pointed out that with their lack of personnel and proper equipment, there would be instances when they wouldn’t be able to respond immediately to an emergency situation.

Balilo said the country has about 36,000 kilometers of coastline. Out of the 77 provinces, 58 of them are along coastal areas; 914 out of 1,385 municipalities are classified as coastal towns; and there are about 11,000 coastal barangays.

PCG commandant Admiral Wilfredo Tamayo said that under the maritime SAR, students would be trained to augment government rescue teams in maritime and inland disasters.

“In case of a major environmental catastrophe, large work force is needed to clean up the contaminated beaches, mangroves and coastal areas. The PCG can tap the students … to join in the clean-up and containment operations to minimize environmental damage as a result of oil spills and shipboard source of pollution,” Tamayo said. 

The students could also participate in law enforcement program under the PCG to help in enforcing maritime international conventions, treaties or instruments and national laws for the promotion of safety of life and property at sea, Tamayo said.