Coast Guard personnel prepare for Holy Week exodus

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) would be deploying all its personnel to the ports and other areas in preparation for the Holy Week exodus.

Starting April 11 up to April 20 or Easter Sunday, the PCG would be on heightened alert in anticipation of the increased number of Holy Week travelers going to the provinces, Coast Guard spokesman Commander Armand Balilo said.

While many schools have already ended classes and the students are enjoying their vacation, the influx of passengers on ships is still manageable.

“It is really on April 11, the Friday and last working day of the week before Holy Week, when we expect more people to head to the ports and board ships in order to be ahead of the other travelers,” Balilo said.

Balilo added that during the period, all PCG personnel are on heightened alert and would be reporting for duty.

This would include the PCG’s Deployable Response Group (DRG) made up of the elite divers, the Special Operation Group (SOG) and the K-9 units.

The sea marshals would be deployed on board passenger ships to monitor the travel.

The PCG would also be using its newly purchased 40 rubber boats, 300 aluminum boats and 10 trucks that have been distributed to their 12 districts in preparation for Holy Week.

Balilo said they would also be vigilant at the ports since they would also be reviving their Public Assistance Desk (PAD).

Personnel from the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) and the Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) would join the PAD to render assistance to passengers.

There would also be a representative from their medical unit assigned at the desk.