Coast Guard to put up help desks for All Saints' Day

The Philippine Coast Guard will set up help desks in major ports to assist travelers going to the provinces to pay their respects to their dearly departed during All Saints’ and All Souls’ Days. Coast Guard commandant Admiral Ramon Liwag said they will coordinate with other transportation agencies for the exodus to ensure zero casualties. “Ang help desk... kung ang isang pasahero may problema, may hihingan ng tulong o kung nagkaroon ng karamdaman may tropa ng gobyerno na tutulong sa kanya," he said on government-run dzRB radio on Sunday. He also said the Coast Guard will deploy 27 fresh graduates from its K-9 training program to guard ports and sniff out bombs, weapons and other banned items. Liwag said the Department of Transportation and Communications recently called all agencies concerned with preparations for All Saints’ and All Souls’ Days to a meeting to map out a “proactive approach." The agencies at the meeting included representatives from the Coast Guard, Maritime Industry Authority, Philippine Ports Authority, Land Transportation Office, and Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board. “Gusto ni Secretary Roxas sa darating na Undas walang magkaroon na aberya o aksidente, at kung meron man maging maagap ang pagtugon ng ahensya ng departamento," Liwag said. Liwag said they will watch major ports where travelers will pass through to get to their destinations. He said these include the North and South Harbors in Manila; Batangas; Calapan (Mindoro); Matnog (Sorsogon); Samar; and Cebu, which he said has many feeder ports heading for other provinces like Ozamiz and Bohol. - KBK, GMA News