TO CHECK the readiness of their personnel, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Northern Negros Occidental conducted simulation exercises on marine pollution and search and rescue (SAR) at the Banago Seaport yesterday, October 19.

It was also done to assess how various stakeholders and government agencies would respond in case there are sea mishaps, oil spills, and other sea emergencies.

During the exercise, the scenario was that two vessels collided, causing some casualties and an oil spill.

In response, PCG personnel immediately launch a search and rescue operation to check for survivors and other casualties as they also swiftly contain the oil spill by placing a boom in the affected area.

Commodore Edgar Ybañez, commander of PCG District Western Visayas, who observed the simulation exercise, commended the Coast Guard personnel and those part of the activity, as they were able to show their readiness to respond to any eventuality.

“We cannot do it alone, we need the help of the stakeholders and other agencies,” Ybañez said.

He said that PCG auxiliaries are a big help especially with regards to manpower and also equipment, as some of them have equipment that can be used by the PCG personnel.

“We need also to prepare the Negros province to this kind of incident,” he added.

The coast guard head said the exercise was in line with the directive of the national headquarters to conduct at least one Sar annually.

Meanwhile, Ybañez said that they are also mandated to conduct an oil spill exercise in line with the national oil spill contingency plan.

In fact, he said they are preparing a regional oil spill contingency plan.

He said that previously oil spill declaration was based on the volume of oil, but now, it will be based on the area affected by the oil spill.

Ybañez also admitted that they don’t have enough floating assets and in fact, the province only has one small 24-meter vessel but he said they are hoping that their request to procure another 40 units of 35-meter vessels will be approved.*