Coast Guard gets new lifejackets

THE Philippine Coast Guard District Southeastern Mindanao (CGDSEM) received Saturday brand new lifejackets that will ensure more improved maritime safety.

In an interview Saturday at the Cafe Firenzo Damosa, Capt. George Ursabia Jr., CGDSEM chief, said the lifejackets will help them on their operation on the maritime seas, especially in securing and strengthening maritime safety.

"We can use this also for search and rescue operation," he said.

The lifejackets were donated by Senator Francis Joseph "Chiz" Escdero on Saturday. He donated a total of 100 of them costing around P200,000.

"We appreciate that the Senator (Escudero) sees the needs of the maritime sector," he said, adding that some lifejackets they have are needed replacement already.

Under Ursabia's area of responsibility are the provinces of Surigao del Sur, Davao Oriental, Davao del Norte, Compostella Valley, and Sarangani.

Also included are the cities of Davao and General Santos.

"Didto i-distribute (We will distribute them there)," he said, referring to lifejackets to be distributed to areas under his command.

CGDSEM only has 150 existing lifejackets, but this number, he said, is not enough in their operations.

"The safety is necessary to minimize casualties on the maritime seas," he added.

Meanwhile, Escudero, in a press conference, said President Benigno S. Aquino III made the right move in pulling out Philippine ships from Scarborough Shoal on June 15.

"He pulled out the ships for two reasons," he said. "First, may bagyo at para ma-settle ang problema (First, there was a typhoon and to as well settle the tension)," he added.

Aquino said Wednesday last week that he will send back the ships, if he will find out that China deploys ships in the shoal.