PCG on heightened alert for Christmas season —Abu

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) will be on heightened alert status as more Filipinos are expected to travel by sea during the Christmas season, its commandant Admiral Artemio Abu said on Monday.

“Ngayong magpa-Pasko, very busy ang mga kababayan natin traveling using sea transportation system (This Christmas season, our countrymen will be very busy traveling using the sea transportation system),” Abu told reporters.

“Nandiyan ang Coast Guard. Bibigyan natin ng, ang ating mga kawani ng Coast Guard nationwide, we'll put them in alert status heightened alert,” he added.

(The Coast Guard is there. Our Coast Guard personnel nationwide will be put under heightened alert status.)

According to Abu, all 25,000 personnel will be deployed nationwide for the Christmas season.

The PCG reminded ship owners to make sure that all their vessels are in good condition before their trips for the safety of passengers and crew.

Fishermen and ship crew were also reminded to follow sea travel regulations to provide a comfortable, safe, and convenient transport service to the riding public, the PCG added. —KG, GMA Integrated News