Coast Guard starts planning for Christmas safety

As it gathers potential lessons from its ongoing Undas (All Saints’ and All Souls’ Days) operations, the Philippine Coast Guard is starting to map out plans to ensure safe trips for the Christmas exodus in December. In a radio interview over the weekend, Coast Guard spokesman Lt. Cmdr. Algier Ricafrente said they are consolidating the good and bad points of their Undas efforts, and will integrate them in safety plans for Christmas. "Itong Undas na ito [ang] magiging basehan natin. Titingnan natin ano magiging resulta nito at magagamit natin [sa Christmas exodus]," Ricafrente said on government-run dzRB radio Sunday. Ricafrente said that as of Sunday noon, the Coast Guard has recorded no major maritime incidents during the exodus to the provinces for Undas. The Coast Guard had clamped down on colorums as well as conducted stricter inspections of passengers’ baggage for prohibited items ranging from bladed weapons to firearms. Coast Guard operatives will remain on alert until at least November 2, when passengers return from the provinces after the Undas break. After Undas, the Coast Guard will have one month to “rest" before it needs to secure the country’s major ports for the yearly Christmas exodus. "Ito ang gagamitin din natin at maging batayan para makapagbigay ng mas magandang Pasko at Bagong Taon sa pagbigay serbisyo sa ating kababayan sa holiday season. Ito ang tulay para sa mas magandang serbisyo," Ricafrente said. — RSJ, GMA News