Vingno: Outbound passengers at Negros Occidental ports peaked yesterday

By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Bacolod station commander, Lieutenant Senior Grade Jimmy Oliver Vingno, yesterday said they completed inspections of all Negros Occidental beach resorts, amid the ongoing Holy Week observance.

According to Vingno, most resorts are fully compliant with the safety standards set by the PCG, such as having a lifeguard on duty at all times.

The local PCG head said boats belonging to island beach resorts are also fully certified.

However, Vingno noted, some resorts were without a lifeguard or were not staffed with personnel accredited by the PCG.

In order to compensate for the lack of lifeguard personnel, Vingno said they have informed local government units to assign their own rescue personnel to the beach resorts which do not have PCG-accredited lifeguards.

Vingno added, with the number of vacationers, he is hoping there will be zero drowning incidents in the province during the celebration period.

He also appealed to parents, requesting they not leave their children unattended when swimming.

The local PCG commander also noted, for those planning to drink alcoholic beverages, to avoid swimming in deep water.

Meanwhile, Vingno said the number of outbound passengers at various ports in Negros Occidental peaked yesterday afternoon, after President Rodrigo Duterte declared a half-day for government offices.

Based on PCG monitoring, around 3,500 to 4,000 passengers passed through various ports in the province between 12:00 midnight to 12:00 noon yesterday.

Vingno said the situation at the ports has been orderly and they did not record any incidents throughout the day.

He also said K-9 units and PCG Auxiliary units have augmented their security, while ships were thoroughly inspected before being allowed to sail.

PCG Southern Visayas District commander, Captain Artemio Abu, was also seen yesterday, inspecting PCG personnel assigned to the Bredco port in Bacolod City./DGB, WDJ