Philippine Coast Guard to promote maritime safety
The Philippine Coast Guard District, Northern Mindanao (PCGDNM) will always direct its activities towards their mission to promote maritime safety, conserve marine resources and waterways and guard against violations of maritime laws.
Thus assured Commodore Elson E. Hermogino, Commander of PCGDNM, who said activities along Marine Environmental Protection (MAREP), Marine Safety Administration (MARSAD) and Marine Search and Rescue (MARSAR) took the bulk of their accomplishments for 2010.
“We were able to navigate through the changes and challenges of the times as Northern Mindanao transformed itself into one of the economical catalyst of the country,” he said.
Hermogino also said PCGDNM planted some 15,000 mangrove propagules within a total area of eight (8) square miles covering all its stations and detachments and conducted coastal clean-ups, under the “SCUBAsurero” project, as among their activities of the 109th PCG Anniversary celebrated last October.
It also conducted various symposia and training seminars to local government units and private corporations in the Oil Spill Control and Prevention drills participated by the various shipping lines operating in the region.
Meanwhile, PCGDNM was able to maintain its 98% operating efficiency in all its 54 light stations of the region, while its daily deployment of K9 Teams, Special Operations Group (SOG) and Boarding Teams had deterred suspicious attacks from known terrorist groups in its area of responsibility.
The daily manning of Passenger Assistance Centers (PACs) in all its stations has greatly helped in the assisting passengers and efficient port operations and enhanced the religious implementation of RA 9295 or “An Act Promoting the Development of Philippine Domestic Shipping, Ship-Building, Ship-Repair and Ship-Breaking.”
As to MARSAD activities, PCGDNM has issued 156 Special Permits to Load Inflammable/Dangerous Cargoes with zero (0) maritime violation and 5,024 Masters Oath of Safety Departure (MOSD) reports for clearance to ships to navigate.
“We also conducted various trainings and seminars to buffer the effects of flashfloods and maritime disasters, which were actively participated by various government agencies and non-government organizations,” Hermogino added.
Source: PIA
