THE Philippine Coastguard Davao conducted a dry run on the modification of safety measures in barge transportation on Monday after a vehicle went straight to the water on Sunday evening.
In a phone interview with PCG Davao Station Commander Lieutenant Colonel George Maganto on Monday, November 26, he said that they modified safety measures to minimize the risks among passengers.
"Lahat ng pasahero on board sa sasakyan kailangan before mag akyat yung sasakyan sa barge nakababa na, driver lang ang maiwan (Before the vehicle will be loaded in the barge, the passengers of the vehicle must go out of the car and driver should remain in the vehicle)," Maganto added.
He also said that they would not modify the other safety procedures.
Maganto added that the dry run was done along with Task Force Davao, Task Force Samal and Maritime police.
Police Officer 3 Jef Vencer Masin said a man died after his vehicle encountered sudden acceleration at about 8:30 p.m. Sunday.
A vehicle driven by Fernando Pacaldo went straight to the water instead of the ramp of the barge that was on its way to the Island Garden City of Samal.
Masin said Pacaldo died due to drowning.
A close circuit television (CCTV) footage showed Pacaldo’s vehicle dived towards the water and submerged minutes later.
Masin said a passenger was hit by the vehicle. The victim was identified as Narciso Kho who sustained minor injuries. The car hitting Kho was also captured in the CCTV camera.
Masin said after several minutes the car submerged into the water and Pacaldo floated unconsciously.
He was rescued by witness Benjie Larina along with the Philippine Coastguard personnel and was brought to Igacos General Hospital where he was later declared dead.