PCG strictly implementing sea travel guidelines
Despite the clamors of hundreds of passengers of pump boats and fast crafts, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) station here vows to implement the new guidelines preventing ships less than 1,000 gross tons to set sail if typhoon signal Number 1 is hoisted over its voyage area.
The local coast guard headed by Capt. Eduardo Fabricante stood firm on their ground as they twice canceled the trips of pump boats and fast crafts after the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) declared Iloilo under storm signal number 1 last Friday and Saturday.
Iloilo was among the areas placed under storm signal number 1 after Tropical depression Rolly reached the Philippine area of responsibility. Last Friday, Iloilo was also declared under signal number 1 when Typhoon Quinta entered the country.
A personnel from the coast guard who asked not to be identified said passengers should heed the order as it is intended for their safety. They should not hit back the coast guard from preventing them to travel.
The guideline was issued after the tragic incident involving Princes of the Stars. It is the government's response in preventing the occurrence of more sea accidents.
The coast guard only implements the order as soon as the weather bureau hoisted typhoon signal number 1. They should cooperate with the coast guard to prevent sea accidents. No one could predict the weather condition, the PCG personnel said.
The coast guard has ordered the cancellation of trips of pump boats and fast crafts past 12 noon last Saturday causing hundreds of passengers to get stranded at the Ortiz wharf, Parola station, Jordan wharf and Buenavista wharf.
In Ortiz alone, more of less 300 passengers were stranded. They are among the some 1,000 passengers who were left at the wharf. They were given relief food assistance by the provincial government of Guimaras.
The barangay officials of Barangay Ortiz headed by Barangay Capt. Rene Obregon assisted the stranded families. They were accommodated at the Ateneo de Iloilo gymnasium. The members of the Civilian Volunteers Organization (CVO) and stevedores watched over their personal belongings.