Coast Guard and Marina told to train safety agents
A CONGRESSMAN on Sunday urged the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) to supervise the training and appointment of safety officers in coastal towns, cities and ports amid accidents in Philippine waters.
“The purpose is to improve maritime safety compliance at the ports and coasts and points in between,” Quezon Rep. Wilfrido Mark M. Enverga said in a statement. “Maritime regulation and enforcement happen to be the jurisdiction of Marina and the Philippine Coast Guard, but they do not have enough people on the ground.”
He said the agencies should coordinate with local government units to ensure proper training and deployment of personnel.
“The PCG could deploy coast guard auxiliary officers in the different ports of Polillo, Quezon, Binangonan and Talim Island in Rizal,” Mr. Enverga said.
The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) and Maritime Training Council should also produce competency standards, free training and certification courses to enhance the skills of local marines, he added.
He noted that courses in aquaculture, fishing and lifeguard services should be taught to motorized banca operators to upgrade their livelihood and survival abilities.
Technical and educational vocation courses on boat building, sea freight transport, navigational watch and engineering watch and submerged arc welding should be taught, he added.
The Small Business Corp. (SBC) could also extend financial assistance to small boat owners, Mr. Enverga said.
The congressman said the skill enhancement of local boat owners and the appointment of maritime safety officers would lessen accidents at sea involving passenger bancas and small motorboats.
The Philippine Coast Guard on Aug. 3 rescued 67 people after a motor banca sank near Polillo in Quezon, while a motorized boat carrying 33 people capsized in waters near Northern Samar.
A small passenger boat in Binangonan, Rizal also capsized due to Super Typhoon Doksuri or Egay. — Beatriz Marie D. Cruz
