THE Philippine Coast Guard (PCG)-Bacolod is continuously monitoring resorts in Bacolod City and Negros Occidental with the onset of the rainy season.
Lieutenant Senior Grade Jimmy Oliver Vingno, head of PCG-Bacolod, said their personnel are tasked to determine whether the resorts comply with the safety requirements, including deployment of stationary lifeguards.
In the past two weeks, four persons drowned in separate incidents in Negros Occidental, including Bacolod City.
Vingno said he was already informed by his predecessor Lieutenant Colonel Ramil Palabrica about the said drowning incidents, but he has yet to identify other problems that led to these cases.
Since 2013, resorts are being inspected by Coast Guard personnel based on the directive of the higher office, Vingno said.
Vingno, who assumed office on June 10, said he is planning to meet with the mayors in the province on July 1.
“I will ask the local government units if they can put in their ordinances a policy that can authorize the Coast Guard to enforce closure of resorts that have violations,” Vingno said.
There should be strict implementation, he added.
Vingno also said they will offer basic search and rescue operations training to non-government organizations, and to those who are willing to participate.