THE Coast Guard started initiating pro-active measures to minimize if not, prevent loss of lives attributed to maritime incidents that may be caused by the rainy season and expected threats of typhoons.
This came about as many parts of the country experienced rainshowers yesterday as a result of the intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ) and tail-end of cold front, state weather bureau Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said.
PCG commandant Rear Admiral William Melad directed all Coast Guard units nationwide to gear up following Pagasa warnings that heavy rains would likely hit the country due to La Nina.
Rescue units like disaster response and quick reaction teams composed of divers, paramedics, rescue swimmers and K-9 units will be on high level of readiness so it can immediately respond to maritime and land based disasters caused by weather disturbances and typhoons.
Maritime safety related measures would also be in place such as intensification of ship inspections and more elaborate and careful conduct of pre-departure inspection paying particular attention to the number of passengers on board.
PCG would also conduct public awareness campaign to highlight safety during inclement weather especially to the fishing community.
PCG’s auxiliary volunteers were also called to actively involve their units and equipment during rescue operations as part of the regular coast guard personnel.
Coast Guard units nationwide were also ordered to coordinate with government agencies like the National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council, Armed Forces, the National Police and the Red Cross.
Pagasa said the ITCZ continues to affect southern Mindanao, while the tail-end of a cold front prevails in northern Luzon.
The weather systems brought cloudy skies with light to moderate rains and isolated thunderstorms over the Davao area and the regions of Ilocos, Cordillera, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, and Mimaropa.
Light to moderate winds blowing from the southeast to south prevailed over the eastern section of Visayas and Mindanao and coming from the south over the rest of the country. The coastal waters throughout the archipelago were slight to moderate.
The country’s rainy season generally lasts from June to November. Pagasa urged the public to prepare for the 2016 rainy season, expecting no delay in this period’s onset despite the continuing drought-driving El Niño phenomenon. (pna)
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